AI features have been added in Windows in Notepad and Paint
Microsoft has introduced AI features in two classic Windows apps: Notepad and Paint. In Windows 11, the text editor now offers capabilities to rewrite text content, known as Rewrite AI. This AI has generative capabilities that can help shorten or lengthen text content, offering various tone and format styles to choose from.
Limitations and Costs
There are limitations to how users can interact with the AI. Users need to sign in to their Microsoft account to access Rewrite’s features. While Rewrite AI may be useful, it comes at a cost. The AI features in Notepad are not free, with users receiving 50 credits to access them. These credits are replenished monthly for users subscribed to Microsoft 365 Personal or Family, or Copilot Pro.
Microsoft Paint is also receiving new AI features for generative fill and erase, available for Copilot+ PCs and users.
Amazon Prime Video's X-Recaps
Amazon Prime Video is testing an AI feature called X-Recaps. This feature recaps TV show events in an easy-to-read text summary. Powered by Amazon Bedrock, X-Recaps analyzes video content, subtitles, and dialogue to generate spoiler-free summaries based on watched content. Users can access X-Recaps while playing a video on Prime Video's website, offering tailored recaps for specific episodes, whole seasons, or previous seasons.
Microsoft's Control Panel Revelation
Microsoft has reportedly intentionally slowed down the Control Panel in Windows. Eric Voirin discovered hard coded delays affecting the Control Panel in Windows 95 and 98, splitting launch time into two segments with specific delays. The reasons for coding these delays remain unknown.
While there were considerations to remove the Control Panel from Windows, Microsoft has clarified that the legacy app will not be deprecated.
Retirement of Paint 3D
Microsoft has retired the Paint 3D app, intended to replace the classic Paint app. Despite supporting 2D and 3D images, Paint 3D's implementation was considered poor with a touch-centric design. Paint 3D failed to replace Paint and landed on the deprecated apps list. In contrast, the classic Paint app continues to thrive with new AI features.
Microsoft Paint 3D is no longer available for download from the Microsoft Store. Users seeking 3D image viewing should use the 3D Viewer app.
Google's Gemini AI Expansion
Google is expanding its Gemini AI to more apps, introducing its AI for Google Maps, Google Earth, and Waze. Google Maps now provides a chat-like experience with conversational responses, suggestions on places, parking recommendations, and AR features. Google Earth and Waze also incorporate Gemini AI for advanced search capabilities.
Waze will soon offer options to report incidents and hazards, while Google Maps plans to include details about metropolitan lanes in future updates.
Apple's Acquisition of Pixelmator
Apple has acquired Pixelmator, the creator of popular image editing tools for iOS, macOS, and iPadOS. Pixelmator's apps offer powerful image editing tools, supporting RAW formats, background removal, super resolution, and AI functions.