Windows 11’s Bing AI Expands to Google Chrome with Dark Mode, Yet Some Constraints Remain

Microsoft has made significant strides in expanding the availability of Bing.com with Bing AI to a wider audience. Initially exclusive to Microsoft Edge users, Bing AI, powered by the advanced ChatGPT-4 language model, is now being rolled out to other browsers, including Google Chrome and Apple’s Safari.

Windows 11’s Bing AI Expands

Users have started receiving pop-ups on their Windows 10 or 11 taskbars, offering them the opportunity to try Bing AI in Chrome. Notably, this version of Bing AI also comes with native dark mode support, similar to the one present in Microsoft Edge. The dark mode provides a sleek black background that matches the aesthetic of Edge’s dark theme.

Within Bing.com, users can easily switch between light and dark themes through the hamburger menu, and there is even a system default option that automatically aligns with the operating system’s preference.

However, it’s worth mentioning that Microsoft has imposed some limitations on Bing Chat capabilities in Chrome. Unlike Edge, which allows up to 30 messages per conversation and 4,000 characters per message, Chrome’s Bing AI is currently limited to five messages per conversation and 2,000 characters per message. Additionally, users may notice prompts encouraging them to explore Bing AI in Edge when accessing it through Google Chrome.

Microsoft is continuously working on improving Bing AI’s capabilities. One notable upcoming feature is “No search” or “ChatGPT-like mode,” which aims to enhance user interaction with Bing AI. Currently, Bing AI relies on traditional web searches to answer user queries, which can sometimes lead to less human-like responses. However, with the “No search” mode, Bing AI will rely more on its AI capabilities, similar to ChatGPT, and provide responses directly from its knowledge base rather than crawling the web for answers.

Recently, Microsoft updated Bing AI with visual search, incorporating OpenAI’s image recognition technology. This enables Bing AI to interpret and describe images, providing relevant answers and information related to the visual content.

It’s essential to note that Bing AI’s support for all browsers is still being gradually rolled out and is currently accessible to select users. However, according to a Microsoft source, Bing AI will become available in Chrome and Safari for everyone in the coming days or weeks.

Despite these advancements, Microsoft ensures that Bing will continue to be free for users, while the enterprise edition of Bing will operate independently, catering to specific business needs.

In conclusion, Microsoft’s efforts to expand Bing AI’s availability and introduce new features like “No search” and visual search show its commitment to enhancing user experience and providing a powerful and efficient AI-driven search engine.

In Chrome, Google is extending Gemini and allowing it to perform tasks for you

Xbox Copilot from Microsoft is now available on Windows 11 PCs globally

After a five-year hiatus, Fortnite is back on the US App Store

A program is launched by Meta to promote the adoption of their Llama AI models by companies

Social Tech

Mark Zuckerberg is preparing advertisements and a premium tier for Meta’s AI app

by George Mensah 2025-05-01

In a strategic shift, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed plans for a premium subscription tier for Meta AI, positioning it to compete directly with OpenAI’s ChatGPT Plus, Google’s Gemini Advanced, and Microsoft’s Copilot Pro. The announcement came during Meta’s Q1 2025 earnings call, signaling a major push to monetize its rapidly growing AI platform.

With nearly 1 billion users already engaging with Meta AI across Facebook, Messenger, WhatsApp, and its new standalone app, this move could reshape the AI subscription wars. But will users pay for yet another premium chatbot?

Why Is Meta Introducing a Paid AI Tier?

Zuckerberg framed the decision as a natural evolution:

“There’s an opportunity to offer a premium service for people who want to unlock more compute or additional functionality.”

This suggests Meta AI’s paid version could include:
✔ Faster, more powerful AI responses (similar to GPT-4 Turbo in ChatGPT Plus)
✔ Advanced image generation (beyond current free capabilities)
✔ Early access to new AI features (like multi-modal AI or coding assistance)
✔ Ad-free or priority support

Meta’s AI Expansion: A $72 Billion Bet

Meta’s AI ambitions are skyrocketing, with key developments:

New Standalone Meta AI App – Launched this week, allowing direct chatbot interaction and image generation.
Massive Investment Increase – AI spending projections jumped from 65Bto65Bto72B, outpacing rivals.
Ads & Product Recommendations Coming – Zuckerberg hinted at AI-powered shopping integrations, similar to Google’s SGE.

But here’s the catch: Meta won’t rush monetization. Zuckerberg emphasized:

“We’ll be focused on scaling and deepening engagement for at least the next year before building out the business.”

This means the paid tier may not launch until 2026, giving Meta time to refine its AI before charging users.

How Does Meta AI Compare to Paid Rivals?

Feature	Meta AI (Free)	Meta AI (Paid?)	ChatGPT Plus	Gemini Advanced
Speed/Performance	Standard	Likely faster	GPT-4 Turbo	Gemini Ultra
Image Generation	Yes (basic)	Advanced?	DALL·E 3	Imagen 2
Multi-Modal AI	Limited	Possible upgrade	Yes (voice/vision)	Yes (Gemini 1.5)
Price	Free	TBA (Est. 10−10−20/mo)	$20/month	$19.99/month

Key Question: Will Meta undercut competitors on pricing, or match them with superior features?

The Bigger Picture: Meta’s AI Monetization Strategy

Freemium Model Works – Like OpenAI, Meta will likely keep a free tier to retain mass adoption.
Ads Are Coming – AI-generated product recommendations could boost Meta’s ad revenue (already at $42B last quarter).
Hardware Synergy? – Could Meta AI Pro bundle with Quest VR or Ray-Ban Meta glasses?

Expert Analysis: Can Meta Compete with OpenAI & Google?

As a digital strategist tracking AI trends since 2020, I see three possible outcomes:

✅ Success Scenario – If Meta AI’s paid tier offers unique social integrations (e.g., WhatsApp business tools), it could carve a niche.
⚠ Mid-Tier Performer – If it’s just a ChatGPT clone, users may stick with established players.
❌ Struggle Scenario – If Meta rushes ads too aggressively, it could alienate users (like X/Twitter’s AI backlash).

What Should Users Do Now?

🔹 Try Meta AI’s Free Tier – Test its image generation & chatbot before paying.
🔹 Watch for Early Beta Access – Meta may offer discounts for early subscribers.
🔹 Compare Alternatives – Gemini Advanced and Copilot Pro still lead in enterprise AI.

Final Verdict: A Bold Gamble, But Will It Pay Off?

Meta’s move into paid AI was inevitable—but its $72B investment shows Zuckerberg is all-in. The key will be differentiation:

✔ If Meta AI leverages its social data (e.g., personalized recommendations), it could win.
✖ If it’s just another chatbot, users may ignore it.

Your Turn: Would you pay for Meta AI Pro, or stick with ChatGPT/Gemini? Comment below!

Social Tech

Meta is terminating workers at Reality Labs

by George Mensah 2025-04-26

Meta has confirmed another round of layoffs, this time targeting its Reality Labs division, though the exact number of affected employees remains undisclosed. This move comes as part of the company’s ongoing “Year of Efficiency” initiative that began in 2023, which has already seen Meta reduce its workforce by about 22% across multiple waves of cuts.

Areas Most Affected by the Cuts

The restructuring has particularly impacted:

Oculus Studios teams developing games for Quest VR headsets
Hardware development groups working on future VR/AR devices
Supernatural, Meta’s flagship VR fitness platform acquired for $400 million in 2021

A message posted to the official Supernatural Facebook group suggests these changes aim to “help us work more efficiently on what the future of fitness could be,” indicating possible strategic redirection rather than complete abandonment of the fitness vertical.

Behind Meta’s Reality Labs Restructuring

Mixed Signals in Meta’s VR Strategy

Meta spokesperson Tracy Clayton explained the changes reflect structural shifts meant to improve efficiency in developing “future mixed reality experiences.” This carefully worded statement suggests:

A continued commitment to VR/AR development
Potential reallocation of resources toward more promising projects
Possible deprioritization of certain existing VR content

The Broader Context of Meta’s VR Challenges

These layoffs occur against a backdrop of:

Disappointing Quest headset sales, with the Quest 3S already seeing price cuts
Strong performance of Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, exceeding expectations
Ongoing financial losses in Reality Labs, which reported $3.8 billion in operating losses in Q1 2024 alone

Analyzing the Implications

What This Means for the VR Industry

Content Development Slowdown: Fewer resources for Oculus Studios may mean fewer first-party VR titles
Strategic Reprioritization: Meta appears to be shifting focus from pure VR toward mixed reality
Hardware Uncertainty: Layoffs in hardware teams raise questions about future device roadmaps

The Supernatural Paradox

The treatment of Supernatural is particularly noteworthy:

Legal Victory: Meta successfully defended its acquisition against antitrust challenges
High Investment: The $400 million purchase was one of Meta’s largest VR content acquisitions
Current Downsizing: Despite this, the team is now facing cuts

Expert Perspectives on Meta’s Moves

Industry analysts suggest several interpretations:

Cost-Cutting Measure: Part of Zuckerberg’s efficiency drive amid massive Reality Labs losses
Strategic Pivot: Possibly reallocating resources toward AI integration in VR/AR
Market Realignment: Responding to slower-than-expected VR adoption rates

The Road Ahead for Meta’s Metaverse Vision

While these cuts might suggest wavering commitment, Meta maintains it’s still investing heavily in mixed reality. Key questions remain:

Will these efficiency moves accelerate profitability in Reality Labs?
How will content quality be affected by reduced development teams?
Does this signal a broader shift in Meta’s metaverse strategy?

One thing is clear: Meta continues to balance its ambitious long-term VR/AR goals with the financial realities of running a public company. These layoffs represent another adjustment in that delicate balancing act rather than a wholesale retreat from the metaverse vision.

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Windows 11’s Bing AI Expands to Google Chrome with Dark Mode, Yet Some Constraints Remain