Microsoft introduced “Microsoft Recall”, a feature for Windows that captures snapshots of PC activities, allowing users to quickly recover past actions or data using AI. Despite the initial privacy and security issues that led to its delay, Microsoft Recall is now available in a beta version of Windows 11. Apple, which has already offered Time Machine for many years, could take inspiration from this.
Go back in time in Windows 11
Microsoft Recall allows users to travel in time on their PC, like Apple’s Time Machine but with a broader scope (like the film “Back to the Future”). It allows you to replay past events like meetings, recover deleted files or revisit inaccessible web pages. This “Recall” feature has sparked controversy due to fears over data security, including the risk of sensitive information falling into the wrong hands if the device was compromised. Microsoft has since introduced options allowing its customers to exclude certain applications from Recall capture.
Watch the Recall presentation video (called “Retrouver” in French):
Windows Recall is now available in preview for Copilot+ PCs equipped with Snapdragon. Copilot+ PCs equipped with Intel and AMD processors should benefit from this support in the coming weeks. Recall is expected to begin rolling out generally to all Copilot+ PCs in early 2025.
P.S. : By default, like i, saving snapshots for Find Back is not enabled. You must choose to save snapshots to Windows Settings > Privacy & Security > Snapshots Find.
Ideas for Apple
In the Windows interface, Recall displays the screen with a timeline for navigation. For Apple, Siri’s new abilities to understand the personal context of messages and emails could be extended to more apps and system functions. Imagine if Siri could use Time Machine to find something deleted a while ago!
To stand out, Apple would once again focus on confidentiality. Thanks to Apple Intelligence’s on-device processing and encryption, the firm would offer something more secure and efficient. Presumably also with extensive user control over data collection. An opportunity which would also be even more practical on iOS, because Time Machine is still not available at a time when the iPhone has become the most used computer on a daily basis.
Have you ever needed to go back to your digital past? If yes, why?
