Microsoft introduces Super Resolution for the photo app on Copilot+ PCs

Microsoft has announced the "Super Resolution" function in the Windows Insider Program, which enables the native Photos app on Copilot+ PCs with Snapdragon X processors to upscale low-resolution images. Super Resolution uses the AI unit (Neural Processing Unit, NPU) integrated in the processor to make improvements locally on the PC.

Microsoft describes quick editing in the Windows Photos app on the PC as a use case. Thanks to generative AI, images whose quality is not sufficient for the desired magnification can be enlarged eightfold in full or in sections.

Another new feature introduced by Microsoft is optical character recognition (OCR) directly in the Photos app. This should help to recognize words and texts from images and copy them for further use. Over 160 languages are supported, including German.

Currently for Insiders, soon for everyone with a strong NPU

The new features are currently available to participants in the Windows Insider beta test program in Windows 11. Experience shows that the new functions can be expected to land on regular Windows 11 installations in the foreseeable future – as long as they are Copilot+ PCs. Notebooks with AMD's Ryzen AI 300 and Intel's Core Ultra 200V (Lunar Lake) will receive the functions later.

Microsoft is thus following the AI photo trend. Google also presented applications with artificial intelligence at the launch of the Pixel 9, including the group photo function, which makes it possible to add people retrospectively.

(hoh)