From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-11

Microsoft has added an updated Clock app with a new Focus feature to a test build of Windows 11. The change turns the standard system utility into a full productivity-management app.

The new version will include AI features powered by the NPU, the neural processing unit found in modern processors. This will enable access to focus-session analytics, although the current test version only includes an NPU debugging page for now.

The updated app has a modern interface with rounded corners, a built-in music player with volume control, and the ability to add background images. An expanded task panel integrates with Microsoft To Do and lets users sort tasks by name, creation date, and due date. For each task, users can manually add steps or ask AI to break the task down into steps.

After a focus session ends, the app asks the user to rate the session, ranging from "Deep focus" to "Distracted." The collected data is then used for productivity analytics. A new setting called "Auto-pause when focus is lost" has also appeared, which would allow the app to automatically pause a session when the user becomes distracted.

There is currently no known release date for when the updated app will arrive in the stable version of Windows 11. Many interface elements are still at an early stage of development.
--
Via JLA Forums web gateway for alt.comp.os.windows-11: http://www.jlaforums.com/viewforum.php?f=659
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-11

MummyChunk wrote:

Microsoft has added an updated Clock app with a new Focus feature to a
test build of Windows 11. The change turns the standard system utility
into a full productivity-management app.

I thought they said they were learning what users want? This doesn't
bode well ...
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-11

On 01.05.2026 21:56, Andy Burns wrote:

MummyChunk wrote:

Microsoft has added an updated Clock app with a new Focus feature to a
test build of Windows 11. The change turns the standard system utility
into a full productivity-management app.

I thought they said they were learning what users want?-a This doesn't
bode well ...

Did you really think they would actually do anything with users in mind?
It's all about what the board wants to hear. Keep in mind that this is
the same company that is "removing" Copilot, but switching the naming
over to "AI tools" or whatever
--
-Nick

Take care, it's a desert out there
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-11

On 4/05/2026 2:16 pm, Nick wrote:

On 01.05.2026 21:56, Andy Burns wrote:

MummyChunk wrote:

Microsoft has added an updated Clock app with a new Focus feature to
a test build of Windows 11. The change turns the standard system
utility into a full productivity-management app.

I thought they said they were learning what users want?-a This doesn't
bode well ...

Did you really think they would actually do anything with users in mind?

Yes, as it's the Users that BUY stuff ... If Microsoft don't produce
stuff the User wants, Microsoft doesn't exist!

It's all about what the board wants to hear. Keep in mind that this is
the same company that is "removing" Copilot, but switching the naming
over to "AI tools" or whatever
--

Daniel70
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-11

On 5/4/26 3:12 AM, Daniel70 wrote:

On 4/05/2026 2:16 pm, Nick wrote:

On 01.05.2026 21:56, Andy Burns wrote:

MummyChunk wrote:

Microsoft has added an updated Clock app with a new Focus feature to
a test build of Windows 11. The change turns the standard system
utility into a full productivity-management app.

I thought they said they were learning what users want?-a This doesn't
bode well ...

Did you really think they would actually do anything with users in mind?

Yes, as it's the Users that BUY stuff ... If Microsoft don't produce
stuff the User wants, Microsoft doesn't exist!

Really?? For most folks (meaning non-geeks) MS is the only game in town.
Even if they don't like a change what other OS are they going to switch to?

It's all about what the board wants to hear. Keep in mind that this is
the same company that is "removing" Copilot, but switching the naming
over to "AI tools" or whatever
--

Daniel70

--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-11

AJL <noemail@none.com> wrote:

On 5/4/26 3:12 AM, Daniel70 wrote:

On 4/05/2026 2:16 pm, Nick wrote:

On 01.05.2026 21:56, Andy Burns wrote:

MummyChunk wrote:

Microsoft has added an updated Clock app with a new Focus feature to >>>>> a test build of Windows 11. The change turns the standard system
utility into a full productivity-management app.

I thought they said they were learning what users want?-a This doesn't >>>> bode well ...

Did you really think they would actually do anything with users in mind?

Yes, as it's the Users that BUY stuff ... If Microsoft don't produce
stuff the User wants, Microsoft doesn't exist!

Really?? For most folks (meaning non-geeks) MS is the only game in town.
Even if they don't like a change what other OS are they going to switch to?

Mac. And they are in droves.

Not that it'll make much difference to MS; their main moneymakers are cloud
and 365.

It's all about what the board wants to hear. Keep in mind that this is
the same company that is "removing" Copilot, but switching the naming
over to "AI tools" or whatever
--

Daniel70

--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-11

On 5/4/2026 2:10 PM, Chris wrote:

AJL <noemail@none.com> wrote:

On 5/4/26 3:12 AM, Daniel70 wrote:

On 4/05/2026 2:16 pm, Nick wrote:

On 01.05.2026 21:56, Andy Burns wrote:

MummyChunk wrote:

Microsoft has added an updated Clock app with a new Focus
feature to a test build of Windows 11. The change turns
the standard system utility into a full
productivity-management app.

I thought they said they were learning what users want?
This doesn't bode well ...

Did you really think they would actually do anything with
users in mind?

Yes, as it's the Users that BUY stuff ... If Microsoft don't
produce stuff the User wants, Microsoft doesn't exist!

Really?? For most folks (meaning non-geeks) MS is the only game in
town. Even if they don't like a change what other OS are they
going to switch to?

Mac. And they are in droves.

They have a ways to go then. Desktop/Laptop OS usage worldwide as of
March 2026: MS is 61% and Mac is a measly 14%.

BTW I got those figures by asking Bing on an Android Firefox app that is installed on my Amazon Fire tablet from a side loaded Google Play Store
app and the answer was provided by (gasp) Copilot. So perhaps you better
double check...

Not that it'll make much difference to MS; their main moneymakers
are cloud and 365.

It's all about what the board wants to hear. Keep in mind that
this is the same company that is "removing" Copilot, but
switching the naming over to "AI tools" or whatever --

Daniel70

--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-11

AJL <noemail@none.com> wrote:

On 5/4/2026 2:10 PM, Chris wrote:

AJL <noemail@none.com> wrote:

On 5/4/26 3:12 AM, Daniel70 wrote:

On 4/05/2026 2:16 pm, Nick wrote:

On 01.05.2026 21:56, Andy Burns wrote:

MummyChunk wrote:

Microsoft has added an updated Clock app with a new Focus
feature to a test build of Windows 11. The change turns
the standard system utility into a full
productivity-management app.

I thought they said they were learning what users want?
This doesn't bode well ...

Did you really think they would actually do anything with
users in mind?

Yes, as it's the Users that BUY stuff ... If Microsoft don't
produce stuff the User wants, Microsoft doesn't exist!

Really?? For most folks (meaning non-geeks) MS is the only game in
town. Even if they don't like a change what other OS are they
going to switch to?

Mac. And they are in droves.

They have a ways to go then. Desktop/Laptop OS usage worldwide as of
March 2026: MS is 61% and Mac is a measly 14%.

BTW I got those figures by asking Bing on an Android Firefox app that is installed on my Amazon Fire tablet from a side loaded Google Play Store
app and the answer was provided by (gasp) Copilot. So perhaps you better double check...

Neither of us is incorrect. MS dominance is so great that even if millions
of people switch to Mac, the global percentages won't change much in the
short term.

If you look at the longer term trends you'll notice the change more.
Windows has dropped 10-15% in the last 10-20 years, whereas Mac has doubled from 4-5% to 8-10%. The shift is largest in the US.

Nothing is going to stop Windows being the dominate OS globally, especially
in the corporate world.

Not that it'll make much difference to MS; their main moneymakers
are cloud and 365.

It's all about what the board wants to hear. Keep in mind that
this is the same company that is "removing" Copilot, but
switching the naming over to "AI tools" or whatever --

Daniel70

--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-11

On 5/4/2026 12:16 PM, Nick wrote:

Did you really think they would actually do anything with users in mind?

That's because you thought you were among those users Micro$oft caring
about! There are different echelons of users!! :)
--

@~@ Simplicity is Beauty! Remain silent! Drink, Blink, Stretch!
/ v \ May the Force and farces be with you! Live long and prosper!!
/( _ )\ https://sites.google.com/site/changmw/
^ ^ https://github.com/changmw/changmw
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-11

On 5/1/2026 11:25 PM, MummyChunk wrote:

Microsoft has added an updated Clock app with a new Focus feature to a test build of Windows 11. The change turns the standard system utility into a full productivity-management app.

Do I need an intelligent but disturbing clock? No.

An auto-magically accurate clock that uses no electricity would be nice. :)
--

@~@ Simplicity is Beauty! Remain silent! Drink, Blink, Stretch!
/ v \ May the Force and farces be with you! Live long and prosper!!
/( _ )\ https://sites.google.com/site/changmw/
^ ^ https://github.com/changmw/changmw
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-11

On 05.05.2026 15:02, Mr. Man-wai Chang wrote:

On 5/4/2026 12:16 PM, Nick wrote:

Did you really think they would actually do anything with users in mind?

That's because you thought you were among those users Micro$oft caring about! There are different echelons of users!! :)

And you hit the nail right on the head. This is the hardest lesson I
have had to learn while working in the IT. It's like, things are made
because:

- The company would look good if they have it in their portfolio
- The board would like to hear that they are doing work in it
- Someone, somewhere paid loads of money to have it done in such a way
that it only benefits them

And people that are working on the product and actually care about it
being good are either exploited because they care so much, or are metaphorically beaten and ridiculed for caring so much. It fucking
sucks, man
--
-Nick

Take care, it's a desert out there
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-11

On 5/5/2026 4:05, Chris wrote:

AJL <noemail@none.com> wrote:

On 5/4/2026 2:10 PM, Chris wrote:

AJL <noemail@none.com> wrote:

On 5/4/26 3:12 AM, Daniel70 wrote:

On 4/05/2026 2:16 pm, Nick wrote:

On 01.05.2026 21:56, Andy Burns wrote:

MummyChunk wrote:

Microsoft has added an updated Clock app with a new
Focus feature to a test build of Windows 11. The change
turns the standard system utility into a full
productivity-management app.

I thought they said they were learning what users want?
This doesn't bode well ...

Did you really think they would actually do anything with
users in mind?

Yes, as it's the Users that BUY stuff ... If Microsoft don't
produce stuff the User wants, Microsoft doesn't exist!

Really?? For most folks (meaning non-geeks) MS is the only game
in town. Even if they don't like a change what other OS are
they going to switch to?

Mac. And they are in droves.

They have a ways to go then. Desktop/Laptop OS usage worldwide as
of March 2026: MS is 61% and Mac is a measly 14%.

BTW I got those figures by asking Bing on an Android Firefox app
that is installed on my Amazon Fire tablet from a side loaded
Google Play Store app and the answer was provided by (gasp)
Copilot. So perhaps you better double check...

Neither of us is incorrect. MS dominance is so great that even if
millions of people switch to Mac, the global percentages won't change
much in the short term.

Yep. Only a government monopoly declaration could break MS. Wait, they
already tried that...

<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_v._Microsoft_Corp>

If you look at the longer term trends you'll notice the change more.
Windows has dropped 10-15% in the last 10-20 years, whereas Mac has
doubled from 4-5% to 8-10%. The shift is largest in the US.

Nothing is going to stop Windows being the dominate OS globally,
especially in the corporate world.

Another thing that perhaps slows the migration down is that the
relearning curve when changing OSs can be difficult. It's much easier to
stick with what you know...

When the wife needs help with her iPad I send her to a grandkid. Don't
know anything about iOS. I'm an Android user and ain't gonna change
anytime soon. Sound familiar?

BTW the Chrome OS doesn't count in that analysis. Anyone that can use a
browser can work a Chromebook...

Not that it'll make much difference to MS; their main
moneymakers are cloud and 365.

It's all about what the board wants to hear. Keep in mind
that this is the same company that is "removing" Copilot,
but switching the naming over to "AI tools" or whatever --

Daniel70

--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-11

On 2026-05-05 13:05, Chris wrote:

Nothing is going to stop Windows being the dominate OS globally, especially in the corporate world.

Some governments are switching to Linux. Not numerically important, but
if they are successful this time, will signal others.
--
Cheers, Carlos.
ESEfc-Efc+, EUEfc-Efc|;
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-11

On Mon, 4 May 2026 20:12:27 +1000, Daniel70
<daniel47@nomail.afraid.org> wrote:

Did you really think they would actually do anything with users in mind?

Yes, as it's the Users that BUY stuff ... If Microsoft don't produce
stuff the User wants, Microsoft doesn't exist!

It's all about what the board wants to hear. Keep in mind that this is
the same company that is "removing" Copilot, but switching the naming
over to "AI tools" or whatever

Yes and no - I think the people Microsoft MOST want to hear from are
the corporate IT managers who buy their licences in lots of 500+
seats.

People like us who buy their W11's one at a time are incidental in
Microsoft's world.
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-11

On Thu, 5/14/2026 4:27 PM, The Horny Goat wrote:

On Mon, 4 May 2026 20:12:27 +1000, Daniel70
<daniel47@nomail.afraid.org> wrote:

Did you really think they would actually do anything with users in mind? >>

Yes, as it's the Users that BUY stuff ... If Microsoft don't produce
stuff the User wants, Microsoft doesn't exist!

It's all about what the board wants to hear. Keep in mind that this is
the same company that is "removing" Copilot, but switching the naming
over to "AI tools" or whatever

Yes and no - I think the people Microsoft MOST want to hear from are
the corporate IT managers who buy their licences in lots of 500+
seats.

People like us who buy their W11's one at a time are incidental in Microsoft's world.

But you weren't incidental, when some executive wanted 1 billion installs
to get a bonus.

Paul

--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2