Technologies

Microsoft Launches Mico, an Official Clippy Successor, in Its Copilot AI Fall Release

Mico, the new face of Copilot, is your new AI companion from Microsoft.

Microsoft unveiled its Copilot Fall Release on Thursday, introducing a range of new features, along with a new face for the AI chatbot: Mico (Microsoft Copilot). Despite the buzz of the new «Human-Centered AI» pitch Microsoft is going for, all eyes are on what looks to be the first official Clippy successor — built for the AI-centric world we live in.

It’s hard not to admit that Microsoft nailed it on the cute factor with Mico, but those who don’t want to see the character don’t have to — it’s completely optional to use.

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Mico brings a face to Copilot and was designed to be expressive, customizable and warm. This approach is intended to make voice conversations feel more natural — like you’re actually talking to something instead of a disembodied voice. It will respond in ways beyond just a voice reply, such as changing colors and animation.

Here’s Mico doing appendage-less cartwheels and changing colors for 40 seconds:

Another touch point Microsoft brought up was «real talk,» which will challenge assumptions «with care» and adapt to your vibe. This is apparently to help conversations spark growth and connection.

If you needed any more indication that Micro is the new Clippy, AI and Tech site, Testing Catalog (via Windows Central) spotted an Easter egg on the mobile app: If you tap on Mico enough, it will eventually turn into Clippy temporarily. My attempts to have Mico turn into Clippy failed, though it did turn silver as a direct response to my request for it to «turn into Clippy.»

You can watch the full announcement from Microsoft below, with Mico’s appearance taking center stage at the 42-minute mark.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Saturday, Oct. 25

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Oct. 25.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? It’s the longest one of the week, and some of the answers are tricky. Read on for help. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: Sword go-with
Answer: SHIELD

7A clue: Hamburger or Frankfurter, for example
Answer: GERMAN

8A clue: Sticky stuff on bark
Answer: TREESAP

10A clue: Hotel room pricing
Answer: RATE

11A clue: Classic arcade game of hopping between obstacles
Answer: FROGGER

14A clue: The «W» of the W.N.B.A.
Answer: WOMENS

15A clue: Looked after a pup
Answer: DOGSAT

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: Drill instructor’s rank: Abbr.
Answer: SGT

2D clue: «___ Loss» (#1 album for Drake and 21 Savage)
Answer: HER

3D clue: Fury
Answer: IRE

4D clue: Appears on the scene
Answer: EMERGES

5D clue: Dish layered like this: sheet of noodles, sauce, cheese, repeat
Answer: LASAGNA

6D clue: Genetic screening procedure
Answer: DNATEST

9D clue: «As ___ my last email …»
Answer: PER

11D clue: Subject line abbreviation
Answer: FWD

12D clue: Aussie marsupial, for short
Answer: ROO

13D clue: «No wayyyy!»
Answer: OMG

Technologies

Verizon Offers New Internet Plan That Could Cost $25 Per Month

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for Oct. 25, #397

Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for Oct. 25, No. 397.

Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.

Today’s Connections: Sports Edition is a fun one. It helps if you’re familiar with the athletes of the Pacific Northwest. If you’re struggling but still want to solve it, read on for hints and the answers.

Connections: Sports Edition is published by The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by the Times. It doesn’t show up in the NYT Games app but appears in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can play it for free online.

Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta

Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: When you get hurt.

Green group hint: Beaver State.

Blue group hint: Not surnames, but…

Purple group hint: Think oxygen.