Photos app Archives

AppWizard

June 10, 2025

Six new Android features just dropped, and you can try them out today

Android 16 introduces several new features, including enhancements to RCS group chats, a redesigned Google Photos editor, and improved functionality in the Google Home app. RCS group chat updates allow users to customize group chats with unique icons and names, check RCS status of friends, and mute notifications for specific groups. The Google Photos app features a new image editor with AI-driven suggestions, a Reimagine feature for creative expression, and an Auto frame function for better image cropping. The Google Home app now includes device-specific shortcuts for easier management of smart devices and an upgraded Safety Check feature for scheduling check-ins. WearOS smartwatches can now tap city transit cards even when the Google Wallet app is closed, provided the feature is activated.

Winsage

June 6, 2025

AI-powered Relight and Search now available in Microsoft Photos

The Microsoft Photos app has been updated on Windows 11, introducing new features for Copilot+ PCs. The Relight feature allows users to adjust lighting in images by positioning up to three light sources, changing light color, and setting a focus point, with additional brightness and intensity controls. Built-in presets are also available for quick application. This feature will initially be available on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs, with support for AMD and Intel-powered devices coming soon. The app now includes improved photo search using natural language, enabling users to find images by descriptive phrases. For commercial users signed in with Microsoft Entra ID, access to Restyle Image and Image Creator is now available. Users should update their Photos app to version 2025.11060.5006.0 or higher to access these features.

AppWizard

May 27, 2025

The Google app might bring an ‘Images’ feed to help you find inspiration

Google is developing an "Images" feed within its main app to enhance personalization, allowing users to select preferred topics for a tailored image experience. Additionally, the Google Photos app is set for a significant redesign aligned with the Material 3 Expressive design language, featuring a modernized interface for Memory cards and a "create memory" button for easier memory creation. The new "Images" tab will function like a search feature, and the integration of Gemini technology aims to improve the shopping experience by enhancing product exploration and inspiration.

AppWizard

May 21, 2025

I’ve only spent a few hours with Android 16’s overhauled design, and I already love it

The Android 16 QPR1 Beta was available for download immediately after the Google I/O 2025 Keynote. The beta features a visually appealing font change and a revamped Wallpaper & Style settings interface. Users encountered bugs, including missing Home Screen layout options and issues with selecting wallpapers from Google Photos. Desktop Mode is not yet available, as connecting to an external monitor only allows screen mirroring. The app switcher now displays app labels with a context menu for split-screen mode and other functionalities. Gemini introduced new sharing options, and Quick Tiles in the Notification Shade can now be resized. The overall design emphasizes personalization, aligning with the Material 3 Expressive theme.

Winsage

May 21, 2025

Microsoft adds new AI Actions entry to the Windows 11 context menu

Microsoft is rolling out a new feature called AI Actions in Windows 11's File Explorer, allowing users to interact more deeply with their files through a context menu. Users can right-click on a file to access options like editing images or summarizing documents without opening them. Currently, four sub-entries are available under the AI actions menu: Bing Visual Search, Blur Background, Erase Objects, and Remove Background, supporting .jpg, .jpeg, and .png file formats. Additional features for Microsoft 365 subscribers include generating summaries of documents and creating FAQs from OneDrive files, with support for various file formats.

Winsage

May 20, 2025

Microsoft is putting AI actions into the Windows File Explorer

Microsoft is integrating AI shortcuts, called AI actions, into the File Explorer of Windows 11, allowing users to right-click on files for quick access to various AI features. Four image-related actions currently being tested include Bing visual search, background blurring, object erasure from the Photos app, and a remove background option in Paint. Microsoft plans to introduce AI actions for Office files, enabling document summarization and AI-driven list generation for Microsoft 365 commercial subscribers with a Copilot license. An "Ask Copilot" option will also be added to the right-click menu. Additionally, Microsoft is experimenting with visual updates to the widgets feature and has introduced a new power management feature that reduces energy consumption on laptops and tablets after periods of inactivity.

Winsage

May 20, 2025

Microsoft’s new AI tool lets you edit images and summarize docs right in File Explorer

Microsoft has introduced a new feature called AI actions in File Explorer, available in the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview Build. This feature provides AI-driven commands for various file types, currently focusing on JPG and PNG images. Users can access AI actions by right-clicking on files, which offers commands such as Bing Visual Search, Blur Background, Erase Objects, and Remove Background. Future enhancements will include two commands for Microsoft 365 files: Summarize, which generates AI-based summaries of files in OneDrive and SharePoint, and Create an FAQ, which converts OneDrive files into Q&A lists. The image-related commands are available to all Windows insiders, while the Microsoft 365 features require specific subscriptions.

Winsage

May 19, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5603 (Dev Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5603 (KB5058488) is being released to the Dev Channel. New features include AI actions in File Explorer, allowing users to edit images and summarize documents via right-click options. Four image actions are available: Bing Visual Search, Blur Background, Erase Objects, and Remove Background, supporting .jpg, .jpeg, and .png file types. Upcoming AI actions for Microsoft 365 files include generating document summaries and creating FAQs, requiring a Microsoft 365 subscription with Copilot. Advanced settings have been redesigned for easier access, introducing features like Enable long paths and Virtual workspaces. Improvements include updates to the taskbar, search functionality, and accessibility features. Known issues involve problems with Xbox Controllers and various features in File Explorer and Narrator.

Winsage

May 7, 2025

A New Start Menu and More Major Upgrades Are Coming to Windows 11

Microsoft announced significant upgrades for Windows 11, including enhancements to the Start menu, Copilot AI, and utilities like Paint and the Snipping Tool. The Start menu will become larger, more customizable, and user-friendly, allowing users to view all apps at once, hide recommended shortcuts, and increase the size of the pinned apps panel. A "phone companion" feature will be integrated into the Start menu. These changes are expected to roll out to the Windows Insider channel within the next month. File Explorer will introduce AI actions for document summarization and image editing directly from the right-click menu. Notepad will gain AI text generation and summarization features, along with lightweight formatting options like bold, italic, lists, and Markdown support. Copilot Vision will allow users to interact with AI regarding on-screen content. Some features will debut on Copilot+ PCs with Snapdragon chipsets, including an AI agent in Settings to assist users with adjustments and the Click to Do feature for scheduling meetings and launching Immersive Reader mode. The Photos app will introduce a relight feature for dynamic lighting control. Paint will gain capabilities for creating custom stickers from text prompts and an AI-powered object select tool. The Snipping Tool will receive enhancements like intelligent screenshot cropping, text extraction, and a color picker. The Narrator on Copilot+ PCs will be upgraded to provide rich descriptions of images.

Winsage

May 7, 2025

Microsoft Photos Can Relight Your Images

Microsoft has introduced new features for Windows 11 and its Copilot+ PCs, along with AI-ready Surface hardware. Key enhancements include: - Photos App: A relight feature for adding digital light sources, auto presets, and manual adjustments; new object selection capabilities in Paint; and improvements to the Snipping Tool with a text extractor and color picker. - Recall Feature: Helps users find content by retracing steps and describing memories, with strong privacy controls. - Improved Windows Search: Allows conversational queries with AI interpreting context for relevant results, aided by specialized chips in Copilot+ PCs. - Click to Do: Streamlines workflows with contextual shortcuts for actions within a single application. - Surface for Business Copilot+ PCs: Introduction of a 12-inch Surface Pro and a 13-inch Surface laptop featuring Snapdragon X Plus processors and advanced security tools. - Surface Laptop for Business: A 13-inch model with a thinner profile, anti-reflective touch screens, and an AI-enhanced camera. - Surface Pro for Business: A 12-inch versatile device that transitions between laptop and tablet modes, featuring an adjustable kickstand. - Availability: Software updates will start in April 2025, while new Surface devices will ship from July 22 in select markets.