Artificial Intelligence (AI) assistants with “really good long-term memory” are about a year away, according to Microsoft’s head of AI, Mustafa Suleyman.

Products which can recall conversations, projects and problems will encourage users to invest more time and share more of their personal history with them, he said in an exclusive interview with the BBC.

“I think we’re moving to a fundamentally new age where there will be ever present, persistent, very capable co-pilot companions in your everyday life,” he added.

Critics have voiced strong concerns around this level of integration, including data security, privacy, the possibility of AI tools giving bad advice or wrong information, or displaying inbuilt bias towards the person they are supposed to be helping.

But AI supporters argue that in order to be truly useful, these tools have to be deeply embedded into our lives: that they can only be really helpful if they know the history and context behind what they are being tasked to do.

For example, an AI diary manager can only organise your diary if it can access that diary, edit it, and retain information about your activities.

Mr Suleyman argued that many people’s privacy expectations have changed over time.

He said that devices such as TVs, laptops, phones, in-car cameras and earbuds are already “recording continuously everywhere” in ordinary environments, and gave a further example of an iPhone feature called Live View in which video and audio is recorded at the same time as a photo is taken.

“Most people love that feature,” he said.

“Some people turn it off but that’s a very distinct shift in the default expectation of what a photo is.”

He added that the benefits of this kind of tech, whether people felt they could control their use of it, and whether they trusted the provider of it, were important factors in deciding whether to embrace it.

Microsoft has invested billions of dollars in OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, and has emerged as a market leader as the tech giants jostle in the race to develop and control the powerful and rapidly evolving technology.

But some research suggests people are not consistently using it. A poll published by the Reuters Institute in August found that 29% of people in the UK that it spoke to had used ChatGPT, but only 2% used it every day.

Mr Suleyman conceded that perhaps consumer AI tools would never be as globally popular as the smartphone.

“Maybe this is different to the smartphone,” he said.

“Nearly 90% of the planet has a smartphone. Maybe that will be different. Maybe 50% will reject [AI tools}.”

But he added that so far, AI had been the fastest growing and adopted technology in history, despite its potential risks.

He strongly rejected the idea, posed by many industry watchers including Jim Covello, head of stock research at Goldman Sachs, that AI might turn out to be a bubble, like some tech trends before it.

He told me about a woman he met who said she had set up her business using guidance and motivation from a chatbot he developed called Pi.

“We are clearly producing personalised, interactive knowledge at your fingertips at zero marginal cost,” he said.

“The idea that this could be a bubble is utterly beyond me.”

Microsoft has today unveiled a range of new additions to the tech giant’s AI assistant range CoPilot, including a voice function, a daily news digest and a slower chatbot for more difficult or in-depth questions called Think Deeper.

It also includes CoPilot Vision, a tool which will sit within its Edge web browser and, when activated, observe web pages and “assist” with online activity.

The firm says Vision will not record or store data, has to be switched-on manually and will close at the end of each browser session.

Microsoft says it has chosen to limit which sites it will work with and there is as yet no release date for it.

In the summer the tech giant paused the release of an AI tool called Recall, which takes screenshots every few seconds in order to help users find things they were looking at or working on previously, following a backlash from privacy campaigners and enquiries from the UK’s data watchdog about it.

It will be re-launched in November with additional security measures.

Motorola may be catching up to companies like Samsung and Google regarding the number of years of Android updates it provides for its smartphones. A new Motorola phone could come with five years of updates, and it represents the second Motorola phone to do so in as many months.

The recently announced Motorola Moto G75 will come with five Android OS upgrades and six years of security patches. By our count, this would mean that users will be able to update their phone to at least Android 19, considering that the Moto G75 ships with Android 14. Last month, it was announced that the Motorola Edge 50 Neo would include five years of OS upgrades and security patches.

While five years of updates isn’t as many as the seven years that companies like Samsung and Google promised, it still represents a significant increase from what Motorola had previously offered.

Motorola confirms this update guarantee on its product page for the Moto G75, writing, “Keep up with the latest version of Android by getting five OS upgrades—and six years of security updates—guaranteed through 2029.”

The Motorola Moto G75 is a mid-range smartphone with impressive features at its price point. It includes a Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset, a 6.78-inch Full HD+ LCD with a 120Hz refresh rate, and support for expandable storage via a microSD card of up to 1TB.

The new phone also boasts a 50-megapixel main primary with OIS and Quad Pixel technology and a 5,000mAh battery that supports 30W TurboPower wired and 15W wireless charging.

The new phone is available in Charcoal Grey, Aqua Blue, and Succulent Green. The Charcoal Grey model features a matte-finished back cover, while the Aqua Blue and Succulent Green models have vegan leather rear panels.

It looks like a very competent budget phone, though the real interest lies in its update policy. This is an area Motorola has long struggled with, and while it remains to be seen if the company actually makes good on this promise, it’s a very encouraging step in the right direction.

Motorola has not yet announced the pricing and availability details for the Moto G75.

Macro photography got a pretty big upgrade on the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max this year, with Apple upgrading the ultrawide sensor to a 48-megapixel lens. This is adding more details into your macro shot, which is really important, seeing as you are very close to the object when shooting in macro and thus blocking out some of the light. So, quadrupling the details is a big deal.

You can shoot macro photos and videos across the entire iPhone 16 lineup (that’s iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max), but it will look better on the Pro models, since the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are still using the older 12-megapixel sensor. In this article, we’re going to aim to show you how you can take a macro shot or video with the iPhone 16.

How to shoot Macro Photos and Videos

To get started, open the Camera app on your iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Next, move as close to the subject you want to take a macro photo or video or, until the Macro Control icon appears. This will appear as a flower icon in the corner.

Move back and forth until the object is in focus correctly. For instance, if it is still blurry, move back a bit.

Once you’ve framed your picture properly, go ahead and snap your photo or press record.

Keep in mind that when using Macro, the iPhone is using the ultrawide camera sensor. You can also get as close as 2cm to your object. For those of us in the US, that’s less than an inch. Sometimes, it’s better not to use the macro option, which you can tap the Macro Control button in the corner to turn it off. But with this turned off, you will need to back up from the object to take a picture that is not blurry.

And that’s macro on the iPhone 16.

Amazon Prime Big Deal Days is back this year, returning on October 8 and 9. The “fall Prime Day” of sorts has served as the online retailer’s unofficial kickoff to the holiday shopping season for the past few years.

We expect most of the deals to be Prime exclusives, meaning you must be an active Prime subscriber to get the discounts. There are always a couple of deals available for everyone, though, so it’s worth perusing Amazon’s site even if you don’t pay for Prime. It’s also worth doing so now because we’ve found a number of solid early Prime Day deals already available. These are the best of the bunch; we’ll be updating this post regularly in the lead-up to October Prime Day, so check back for the latest deals.

Prime Day deals: Engadget’s top picks

Prime Day deals on Apple gear

While Apple deals are few and far between right now, you can save a bit on the new AirPods 4. AirTags have a slight discount as well, both in single and multi-packs.

Prime Day deals on Amazon devices

It’s a safe bet that we’ll see even more Amazon gear discounted on October Prime Day, but for now, you can snag a Fire tablet on sale, as well as Ring and Blink security cameras for much cheaper than usual.

• Kindle Paperwhite Signature Essentials bundle for $203 ($55 off): This bundle includes one of the best Kindles you can get right now, along with its fabric cover and wireless charging pad. This is the lowest price we’ve seen all year on this trio.

• Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max for $35 ($25 off): Amazon’s most powerful Fire TV dongle supports 4K, HDR content and Dolby Vision, plus Wi-Fi 6E and Dolby Atmos audio. A number of other Fire TV devices are on sale right now, too, including the Fire TV Stick Lite for only $18.

• Amazon Echo Show 5 + TP-Link Tapo Smart Light Bulb for $50 ($65 off): This bundle deal knocks 56 percent off a duo that includes one of our favorite compact smart displays and a smart light bulb that can be controlled via Alexa voice commands.

• Blink Outdoor 4 + Echo Show 5 bundle for $60 ($130 off): This Prime-exclusive bundle gives you a one-camera Blink system that can be used indoors or outdoors along with an Echo Show 5, which you can use to see camera feeds just by using Alexa voice commands.

• Blink Outdoor 4 + Blink Mini 2 bundle for $50 ($90 off): It’s almost a guarantee that Blink security systems will be on sale for Prime Day(s) and this time is no different. This bundle is 64 percent off, and there are a bunch of other bundles on sale that include cameras, video doorbells and more.

• Ring pan and tilt security camera for $50 ($30 off): This security camera joined the Ring lineup only a few months ago, and this is the best price we’ve seen on it. It’s part of a larger Ring sale that discounts home security gear by up to 50 percent.

• Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet for $75 ($65 off): One of the more advanced tablets in Amazon’s lineup, the HD 10 has a 1080p screen, an octa-core processor, up to 64GB of storage and a 13-hour battery life.

• Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet for $55 ($75 off): This is more than half off Amazon’s 8-inch slab that we consider to be a good couch device, or a first-time tablet for a child. It joins a few other Amazon tablets that are discounted right now.

Prime Day deals on tech

Early Prime Day deals on tech include discounts on power banks, webcams, smart plugs and more.

Streaming subscription deals

While these discounts aren’t technically October Prime day tech deals, we’d be remiss not to mention them. While sales on streaming services are becoming more common, there isn’t as much rhyme or reason to them as there is to, say, Amazon’s Prime Day sale cycle. That said, if you see a discount on a service you’ve been meaning to try, it’s worthwhile to jump on it.

Everything you need to know about October Prime Day 2024

When is October Prime Day 2024?

October Prime Day will be held on October 8 and 9 this year.

What is October Prime Day?

October Prime Day is a members-only sale event run by Amazon in which the online retailer has thousands of sales on its site that are exclusively available to those with an active Prime members.

How long is October Prime Day?

October Prime Day will last two full days.

What is on sale for Amazon Prime Big Deal Days?

Most October Prime Day deals will not be revealed until the days of the event. However, in years past, we’ve seen everything from clothing to household essentials to outdoor gear go on sale during this event. Engadget cares most about tech deals, and in past fall Prime Days, we’ve seen things like phones, tablets, headphones, earbuds, robot vacuums, smart home gear and more receive deep discounts.

Do I need an Amazon Prime membership to shop Prime Day deals?

Yes, because most deals will be Prime exclusives. However, there are always a few decent deals available to all Amazon shoppers, so it’s worth checking out Amazon’s site during October Prime Day to see where you can save even if you don’t pay for Prime.

Expired early Prime Day deals

• Apple 24-inch iMac (M3) for $1,100 ($200 off): The discount plus clippable coupon bring the final price for this Apple desktop down to the lowest we’ve seen.

• Apple Magic Mouse (black) for $85 ($15 off): The white version of Apple’s popular accessory is still cheaper at $68, but the black colorway rarely goes on sale. Both mice pair quickly and are relatively light with responsive touch gestures.

• Apple iPad Air (13-inch) for $720 ($80 off): The large model of our favorite iPad returns to one of its frequent sale prices. It’s about $20 more than its record low, but it’s still a good deal if you’ve been eyeing the 13-inch Air.

• Apple Pencil (1st gen) for $69 ($30 off): If you have a 10th-gen iPad or older, this is the stylus to get. We’ve seen this discount for a couple of weeks now, but it’s still $10 below the average sale price. It’s also discounted at Walmart.

• Samsung Pro Plus microSD card for $100 ($20 off): This newly released, 1TB variant is down to its best price yet. The Pro Plus is the top pick in our guide to the best microSD cards.

• Beats Fit Pro earbuds for $159 ($41 off): Our overall favorite pair of earbuds for running are on sale for $41 off. They’ve hit this price point often over the past few months, but it’s a decent discount on buds we found to be comfortable with a secure fit and great audio quality.

• Beats Studio Buds for $99 ($51 off): They’re a tad old at this point, but the Studio Buds remain a decent buy at under $100.

• Amazon Echo Show 5 + Sengled smart light bulb bundle for $60 ($50 off): This bundle gives you one of our favorite smart displays (which makes an excellent alarm clock) and a top pick in our best smart light bulbs guide at a 45-percent discount.

• iRobot Roomba Vac robot vacuum for $170 ($80 off): This affordable robo-vac is only $10 more than it was during July Prime Day right now, making it an even better option if you want a robot vacuum without spending a ton.

• 8BitDo Ultimate C wired gaming controller for $15 ($5 off): Now at $1 cheaper than it was during Prime Day in July, this 8BitDo accessory is an even better option for PC gamers or folks looking for a more comfortable Steam Deck controller.

• ASTRO Gaming A40 TR wired gaming headset for $100 ($30 off): Our pick for the best gaming headset is $30 off, a discount we’ve seen a few times this year. We found these to be comfortable with better sound than many headsets, but the mic performance is only OK.

• Anker 633 10K magnetic power bank for $40 ($40 off): This MagSafe-compatible charging bank has a built-in kickstand for propping up your iPhone, plus a 20W USB-C port for high-speed, wired charging.

• Anker MagSafe Charger Pad for $19.19 ($4.80 off): This Qi2 charging pad is back on sale for its all-time-low price, and it works with the latest iPhone 16 handsets.

• Anker Prime Power Bank 200W 20K with 100W charging base for $140 ($45 off): The top premium pick in our best power banks guide, this 20K brick can recharge most mobile devices and has a handy screen that shows you the power flowing out of it, as well as the remaining charge.

• Elgato Stream Deck+ for $170 ($30 off): Combine the discount with the clippable coupon to get a record-low price on this upgraded version of the standard Stream Deck.

• TP-Link AC1200 WiFi Extender for $20 ($30 off): Our top budget pick in our best Wi-Fi extenders guide is more than half off right now. While not a rare deal, it’s still a record-low price on a handy device that could help eliminate dead zones around your home.

• Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max for $40 ($20 off): An often recurring sale, this discount is only $5 more than the record low. In addition to streaming shows, we like it as a retro gaming emulator and it even lets you play current games through XBox Game Pass cloud gaming.

• Cosori 9-in-1 air frier for $90 ($30 off): This newer air fry from Cosori has nine preset cooking modes and a six-quart capacity that makes it just the right size to cook a good amount of food without taking up too much space on most countertops.

• Samsung Pro Plus microSD card (512GB) with adapter for $30 ($54 off): Now 64 percent off, this high-capacity microSD card is a great buy for anyone who needs extra storage for their camera, tablet or Nintendo Switch (or other handheld gaming console).

• Google Pixel Buds A-Series for $64 ($35 off): This is one of the best prices we’ve seen on Google’s budget-friendly wireless earbuds, which we praised for their solid sound quality, deep Google Assistant integration and small, comfortable design.

• Beats Studio Pro x Kim Kardashian headphones + 2 years of AppleCare+ for $279 ($100 off): If you’re really into the muted colors in this collection, this is one of the best deals we’ve seen on Beats’ pro-level headphones with AppleCore+ protection.

• Apple Watch Ultra 2 for $689 ($110 off): This is a record-low price on the Ultra 2, which remains Apple’s most premium smartwatch and the one best for adventurers, ultramarathoners and the like.

• Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 + $30 Amazon gift card for $229: The brand new Pixel Buds that are a solid choice for Pixel phone owners include a free $30 Amazon gift card in this bundle.

• Google Pixel 8a smartphone for $399 ($100 off): If you’re looking for an Android phone with a ton of advanced features and a reasonable price tag, the Pixel 8a is the best midrange smartphone you can get right now.

• Apple iPad (10th gen) for $299 ($50 off): The base iPad didn’t receive a refresh this year (yet), but Apple did cut the price to $349. It’s still selling for a record low right now.

• Apple Pencil (USB-C) for $69 ($10 off): This stylus is a more affordable version of the new “pro” Pencil, and it works with most new iPads.

• iRobot Roomba Vacuum and Mop Combo for $206 ($69 off): This Roomba can vacuum and mop floors all in one go, and it will automatically return to its charging base when it needs more juice.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter for the latest tech deals and buying advice in the lead up to October Prime Day 2024.