Productivity Software – Tech | Business | Economy https://techeconomy.ng Tech | Business | Economy Mon, 30 Mar 2026 15:18:23 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 https://techeconomy.ng/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/cropped-256Px-32x32.png Productivity Software – Tech | Business | Economy https://techeconomy.ng 32 32 Microsoft Adds Multi-Model AI Features to Copilot, Expands Cowork Tool https://techeconomy.ng/microsoft-copilot-multi-model-ai-features-cowork/ https://techeconomy.ng/microsoft-copilot-multi-model-ai-features-cowork/#respond Mon, 30 Mar 2026 15:18:23 +0000 https://techeconomy.ng/?p=178697 Microsoft has launched new multi-model AI features in its Copilot research assistant, allowing users to work with multiple AI models at the same time.

The company said on Monday that the update will let Copilot’s Researcher agent draw responses from both OpenAI’s GPT and Anthropic’s Claude models within a single workflow. Until now, it relied on one model for each task.

With the new “Critique” feature, one model handles the initial draft while another reviews and refines it before the final output is produced. 

Microsoft said this setup is designed to improve accuracy and reduce errors that can appear in AI-generated responses.

Microsoft is also adding a feature called “Model Council”, which lets users compare answers from different AI systems side by side. This gives a clearer view of where responses match or differ, and helps users decide which output to rely on.

The company says the changes are aimed at improving speed, quality and overall productivity for users working on complex tasks.

At the same time, Microsoft is expanding access to its Copilot Cowork tool, which is still in early release under its Frontier programme. The tool is built for longer, multi-step tasks. Users can describe what they want done, and the system creates a plan, works through connected steps and shows progress along the way.

Copilot Cowork can also carry out routine work such as scheduling, preparing briefings and handling repeat tasks like monthly reviews. Microsoft said early users are already applying it to planning, document creation and preparation for executive meetings.

The company has been focused on strengthening its Copilot platform as competition grows from other AI tools, including Google’s Gemini and Anthropic’s Claude-based systems.

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Grammarly Acquires Superhuman, Expanding into Email, Calendars, and Workplace Collaboration https://techeconomy.ng/grammarly-acquires-superhuman/ https://techeconomy.ng/grammarly-acquires-superhuman/#comments Tue, 01 Jul 2025 11:51:46 +0000 https://techeconomy.ng/?p=162123 Grammarly has acquired Superhuman, the once-hyped email productivity startup, moving from a grammar-checking assistant to a wider workplace software suite.

The deal reveals Grammarly’s intent to stake its claim in enterprise productivity, placing it in direct competition with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace.

Per Reuters, the financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. However, Superhuman was last valued at $825 million in 2021 and currently generates an estimated $35 million annually. 

With over $110 million in venture funding behind it, from names like Andreessen Horowitz and IVP, Superhuman had built a reputation for exclusivity and speed, with features that reportedly helped users send and respond to 72% more emails per hour.

Grammarly, founded in 2005, has gone beyond a grammar tool. After raising $1 billion in non-dilutive funding from General Catalyst in May 2025, the company is transforming into a full-fledged productivity platform. 

The acquisition of Coda in late 2024 laid the foundation for AI-powered collaboration, and Superhuman now brings email into the mix.

This acquisition also reveals an organisational change. Rahul Vohra, Superhuman’s CEO, will now join Grammarly’s leadership team, bringing along over 100 Superhuman employees. Yet Superhuman won’t be absorbed entirely. “The Superhuman product, team, and brand will continue,” said Grammarly CEO Shashir Mehrotra. 

It’s a very well-used product by tens of thousands of people, and we want to see them continue to make progress.”

The two companies have an aligned vision of integrating Grammarly’s growing suite of productivity agents into Superhuman. These AI-powered tools are designed to help users summarise threads, generate replies, extract insights from documents, and sync with calendars, all from within the email client.

Vohra described the deal as a catalyst for growth: “This gives us significantly greater resources and allows us to invest more deeply in AI, calendars, tasks, and collaboration.”

With this, Grammarly is placing itself at the centre of a new development where AI assistants that function seamlessly across workflows, including email, documents, calendars, and beyond. 

Superhuman will be a testbed for this integration, potentially redefining what a modern email platform can do.

Nonetheless, the email space has become very competitive, with Google’s Gemini-infused Gmail and Microsoft’s Copilot for Outlook evolving fast. Startups like Shortwave and Missive are also moving speedily, embedding smart features directly into inboxes.

But Mehrotra is undeterred. “Email continues to be the dominant communication tool for the world. Professionals spend something like three hours a day in their inboxes. It’s by far the most used work app, foundational to any productivity suite,” he said.

What began as a premium, invite-only service targeting high-performance professionals now finds itself backed by one of the most widely used writing tools on the planet.

Grammarly, with over 40 million daily users and $700 million in annual revenue, is no longer content playing in the margins.

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Exploring Hidden Gems; Power of Lesser-Known Productivity Software Features https://techeconomy.ng/exploring-hidden-gems-power-of-lesser-known-productivity-software-features/ https://techeconomy.ng/exploring-hidden-gems-power-of-lesser-known-productivity-software-features/#respond Mon, 24 Jul 2023 13:00:39 +0000 https://techeconomy.ng/?p=108394 When it comes to productivity software, we often find ourselves sticking to familiar tools and routines. But did you know that there’s a treasure trove of lesser-known features and functionalities hidden within these applications? 

These hidden gems have the potential to supercharge your productivity and make your work life more efficient and enjoyable. Let’s embark on an adventure of discovery and unveil some of these lesser-known features that can truly transform the way you work.

1. Advanced Search Options:

Search functions are a fundamental part of productivity software, but many users only scratch the surface of what’s possible. Dig deeper into the search capabilities of your favorite applications, and you might be surprised by the time-saving features you find.

For instance, in document editors like Microsoft Word or Google Docs, you can use wildcards or regular expressions to perform more complex searches. This allows you to find and replace patterns, specific formatting, or even search for words with certain prefixes or suffixes. By mastering these advanced search options, you can quickly clean up large documents or make widespread changes with ease.

2. Data Analysis Tools:

Spreadsheets are a goldmine for data analysis, but we often rely on basic functions like SUM and AVERAGE. Unlock the true potential of your spreadsheet software by exploring more advanced data analysis features.

In Microsoft Excel, for example, the “PivotTable” tool can help you summarize and analyze large datasets effortlessly. You can create dynamic visualizations, perform cross-tabulations, and gain valuable insights with just a few clicks. Similarly, Google Sheets offers powerful add-ons and functions like “QUERY” and “GOOGLEFINANCE” that open up a world of possibilities for analyzing data and making data-driven decisions.

3. Time-Saving Wizards:

Productivity software developers understand the importance of streamlining processes, and that’s where time-saving wizards come into play. These guided tools help you accomplish complex tasks step-by-step, even if you’re not an expert in the software.

In graphic design software like Adobe Illustrator, you can find wizards for creating various shapes, charts, and even entire layouts. These wizards save you from the hassle of manually adjusting every element, making your design process more efficient.

Similarly, project management software often includes wizards for setting up new projects, creating task lists, or assigning resources. By using these wizards, you can get your projects up and running quickly and focus on what matters most – completing the project successfully.

4. Collaboration Features:

Collaboration is at the heart of many productivity tools, but we often miss out on some lesser-known collaboration features that can enhance teamwork and communication.

For example, in Google Docs, you can use the “Suggesting” mode to allow others to propose edits to your document without directly changing the original text. This makes it easier to review and accept suggestions, keeping a record of all changes made during the collaboration process.

In project management tools like Asana or Trello, you can tag team members in comments to bring their attention to specific tasks or updates. This keeps everyone on the same page and fosters seamless communication within the team.

5. Customization and Shortcuts:

One of the most overlooked aspects of productivity software is the level of customization it offers. Take the time to explore the settings and preferences to tailor the software to your specific needs.

Many applications allow you to create custom keyboard shortcuts or personalize the toolbar to include your most frequently used functions. By doing so, you can shave off valuable seconds from each task, which adds up to significant time savings over the course of a workday.

Conclusion: Unleash the Potential

Productivity software is designed to simplify our work and boost our efficiency, and these hidden gems are the key to unlocking their full potential. By venturing beyond the surface and exploring lesser-known features, you can streamline your workflows, analyze data like a pro, collaborate seamlessly, and ultimately achieve more in less time. So, don your adventurer’s hat, fire up your software, and start exploring these hidden gems today! Your productivity will thank you for it.

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