AppControl's MCP feature is disabled by default, and it requires manual activation as well as manual setup. Once you've updated the app to the latest version, a small banner will pop up that brings you to an instruction page for adding AI to the app. If you're concerned about your data being sent away to LLMs in the cloud, AppControl supports offline models via Ollama and WebUI. If you set this up, you can rest assured that your info is remaining on your system.
A personal IT tech in your PC? AppControl's new (and optional) AI integration feature can tell you in plain English what's been going on in your system.Image 1 of 2 Our Editor-in-Chief, Daniel Rubino, was among the first in the world to test the new Surface Laptop 8 privacy screen, and he shared some insights into why it's different from other laptop implementations. As Rubino explains, Surface takes a similar approach to what Samsung did with its Galaxy S26 Ultra. The best part about Microsoft/Samsung's approach is that the privacy screen doesn't harm brightness, color reproduction, or contrast. Rubino tested 100% sRGB, 89% AdobeRGB, and 100% P3 color reproduction using a colorimeter with and without the privacy screen enabled. It was also a
Surface Laptop 8's privacy screen isn't like the others — here's how the feature evolved in HP, Lenovo, and Dell laptopsAppControl offers some examples of how you can use a linked AI agent to query for system statistics. Want to quickly discover which apps are interfering most with performance when you're gaming? Just ask, in plain words, "Which app caused the biggest CPU and GPU spikes during my gaming session last night?" Want to know where the apps running on your PC originate from? Just ask, "Identify any running apps developed by companies in [a specific country]." Curious to know if any apps are secretly accessing your location or PC hardware when you're away from your PC? Ask, "Did any apps access my loc
A personal IT tech in your PC? AppControl's new (and optional) AI integration feature can tell you in plain English what's been going on in your system.HP Sure View: World's first integrated privacy screen - YouTube Watch On Surface is far from the first laptop to feature an integrated privacy screen. HP's Sure View method made its debut in 2016 on the EliteBook 840 G3 and EliteBook 1040 G3, and we actually have a hands-on video with the original implementation, which I've embedded above. Blast from the pastThe top comment on the 2016 Sure View video reads, "They already have this. It's called screens with crappy viewing angles..." Sometimes it's nice to be reminded of how far display tech has come in the last decade! Like any good privacy s
Surface Laptop 8's privacy screen isn't like the others — here's how the feature evolved in HP, Lenovo, and Dell laptops… Teams TEAMS Microsoft is retiring the Teams Designer bot and banners, consolidating creative features under Copilot for a unified AI experience. TEAMS TEAMS Microsoft Teams’ new Wi‑Fi location tracking feature is raising privacy concerns, with users debating whether it’s useful or simply invasive. …
… On the other hand, leaving the feature enabled means it can consume my storage and bandwidth without notice, and I can't ignore the outcry of privacy and security concerns around any kind of AI. …
… When I saw the news about AI integration, I immediately wondered if it would offer offline LLM support for those concerned about privacy. AppControl delivered, and I'm eager to give the new AI tools a shot once I've set them up properly. …
… Brightness woes were mostly solved in second-gen Privacy Guard screens, and Lenovo eventually folded Privacy Guard into its overarching ThinkShield suite of security tools, where it remains today. This is also when PrivacyAlert was introduced to the mix. …
… Earlier this year, Microsoft revealed that it was scaling back its AI overload in Windows 11 , which includes scaling down Copilot. Windows Recall was also placed under review after backlash from users over security concerns, potentially signaling that it could evolve into something else entirely. …
… Discord has faced security issues in the past that exposed user data, and more recently, there’s been backlash around age verification , with concerns over privacy and how that data might be used. …
Over the past few years, Microsoft has deeply integrated AI technology across its tech stack, specifically Windows 11, by adding features like Copilot and Windows Recall . The tools have been received with mixed reactions, primarily due to the security and privacy concerns around AI. …
… Amid security and privacy concerns, organizations are regularly integrating AI into their workflows and automating repetitive and redundant tasks, allowing professionals to focus on what really matters in theory . …
… This is on top of the health concerns, air pollution, and massive demand for cooling water that come with the construction of data centers. …
… But there is some good news since Windows 11 remains highly configurable. If you dive into the settings, you can significantly reduce distractions, limit unnecessary background activity, and regain most of the control over privacy and performance. …