Windows Photos is getting a major update that introduces a number of new features designed to improve the user experience.
According to Microsoft’s official blog post Regarding the improvements in Photos, users can expect features such as deep search, background blur, location search and ‘Motion Photos’ (think Live Photos on iPhones) that will bring some life to the currently rather dull photo software.
Background Blur will definitely be welcomed by Photos users who want to remove backgrounds from their photos, emphasize certain subjects or adjust the blurred area. To be honest, it might be cruel to say it, but as with most of these updates: it will be time. Many of the new features have been around for a while on other platforms, particularly within Apple’s software ecosystem.
Get with the times, dude
You can also search for specific photos based on the type of content in the photo. This means you can now type things like ‘cat, car, beach, holiday’ and more, with the app trying to identify and collect relevant images. You’ll need to sign into your Microsoft account to use the feature, and the blog post warns that the improved search bar may not work right away.
Other features you can expect include live photos and location searches, which will help you find the right photo when you’re ready to make memories (or plan your next vacation Instagram post). If you went to the beach, you can type “beach” or the name of the specific beach, city you visited, or just home and school.
Microsoft seems to be on a roll lately with releasing updates and new features to its product lineup, and it’s really good to see. With updates to Microsoft Edge, the continued popularity of Bing AI, and now a Windows Photo refresh, we’re excited to see what the company has to offer in the near future.