Updated
Updated · InfoWorld · Aug 5
Visual Studio Code 1.132 Expands Multilingual Dictation and Side Chat, Adds Web Element Commenting
Updated
Updated · InfoWorld · Aug 5

Visual Studio Code 1.132 Expands Multilingual Dictation and Side Chat, Adds Web Element Commenting

3 articles · Updated · InfoWorld · Aug 5

Summary

  • Released on August 5, VS Code 1.132 upgrades built-in dictation, side chat workflows and the integrated browser’s commenting tools across Windows, Linux and macOS.
  • Nemotron 3.5 now powers on-device multilingual dictation, which can follow language preferences or auto-detect speech and convert it to text in chat inputs, editors and terminals.
  • Typing /bt opens a side chat that shares the main chat’s context and prompt cache, letting developers ask follow-up questions without interrupting the current turn; selected chat text can also be queried directly.
  • The integrated browser now lets users select web page elements and annotate them with agent feedback, while terminal dictation adds shell-aware cleanup so spoken commands preserve shell syntax.
  • Microsoft also continued work on agent host for shared agent sessions across multiple VS Code windows and extended the hybrid Markdown editor to open Markdown diffs.

Insights

Will VS Code's new on-device AI dictation finally convince strict enterprise security teams to embrace voice-assisted coding?
How will Microsoft's shift from text-based AI chat to UI-driven browser feedback reshape the future of web development?
Could speaking complex shell commands aloud actually rewire how developers approach problem-solving compared to traditional typing?