Microsoft Enhances Photos App with AI Features
In a significant move for Windows Insiders, Microsoft is unveiling a comprehensive update to its Photos app, infused with a range of AI-driven functionalities. This update not only enhances photo editing and management capabilities but also marks the inaugural integration of Copilot, aligning the Photos app with other software that utilizes this intelligent assistant.
The integration of Copilot introduces a dedicated button that grants users direct access to an AI assistant tailored for image-related tasks. Among its standout features is the Photography Editing Tips function, which offers personalized suggestions to elevate the quality of photos. Additionally, users can benefit from Image Insights, providing intriguing details about specific images.
While Copilot does not yet actively edit photos, it serves as a conversational partner, allowing users to upload images and receive AI-generated feedback. This feature is viewed as a precursor to more sophisticated AI-powered editing tools that may emerge in the future.
Despite some reservations regarding the pervasive integration of Copilot across Windows applications, Microsoft has introduced several other features that promise broader appeal. A notable enhancement is the upgrade to optical character recognition, now equipped with a “Search in Web” option. This allows users to highlight text within an image, scan it, and seamlessly search the web for relevant information. For instance, capturing a storefront image can lead to online identification of the business, or scanning a document can yield immediate background information on its content.
Moreover, Microsoft has streamlined access to AI editing tools through new shortcuts in File Explorer. Users can now right-click on an image and select “Create with Designer,” enabling them to add rich text overlays, adjust layouts, enhance colors, or remove unwanted objects with remarkable ease.
The introduction of the “Visual Search with Bing” tool further enriches the user experience, allowing for the exploration of similar images and related products directly from the desktop.
For those who prefer traditional photo management, the updated Gallery View now boasts smarter folder support, facilitating effortless navigation through subfolders. Additionally, the inclusion of JPEG XL support enhances image quality and compression, offering a modern alternative to standard JPEG formats.
Alongside these enhancements, Microsoft has addressed various bugs affecting AI-powered features like Image Creator and Restyle Image on Copilot+ PCs, alongside general performance and quality improvements. This update positions Windows Photos as a more contemporary and capable application, ready to meet the evolving needs of its users.
