Microsoft Recall: New search function and more AI applications for Copilot+ PCs
Searching for content on a PC should be much easier in future - thanks to Recall. There are also improvements for image editing.
Screenshot from the Microsoft promotional video.
(Image: Microsoft)
Microsoft has set out to solve, as they say, "one of the most common problems we face every day". This refers to searching for content on your own PC. This is set to become much easier in future thanks to Recall. Microsoft compares the function to a photographic memory. There are also numerous small innovations for image editing on Copilot+ PCs.
Recall is available for the newly introduced Copilot+ PCs and is a search function. It uses the personal semantic index, which is created and stored entirely on the device, writes Microsoft. "Your screenshots are yours." And: "With your privacy settings, you are always in control." Recall establishes relationships between content, which makes searching more helpful. Recall obviously observes all movements made by users. Recall knows about closed websites and should be able to display meaningful hits even for fuzzy search queries.
"At the moment, we have to remember which file folder it was saved in, which website it was on, or scroll through hundreds of emails to find it," says the blog post. There is actually already a search function that covers the entire device. On a support page, Microsoft writes: "To get search results from your PC and the web, tap or click the search icon and type what you're looking for in the search box." And Copilot itself is also supposed to support comprehensive search. A Microsoft page explaining Copilot states: "The semantic index is a new feature of Microsoft 365 search that uses Microsoft Graph to better interact with your personal and organizational data." Apple also has a search function called Spotlight, which has been used for years to search documents, images, music, applications, contacts and emails. However, exact keywords have to be found in each case.
Recall seems to go one step further. The new search apparently includes the observation of all behavior, even in meetings, including a kind of translation function that understands the context. A similar app already exists for MacOS. Rewind.ai is preparing to be an AI assistant that keeps track of everything, but also knows everything. Microsoft has not yet gone into much detail in its blog post describing what Recall can do.
More options for the Image Creator image generator
Microsoft has also improved the Image Creator image generator. Above all, it is now possible to edit images using prompts. "By using Neural Processing Units (NPUs) and powerful local small language models, we offer innovative new experiences for your favorite creative applications like Paint and Photos." Restyle allows you to transform your own photos into a different style. On Copilot+ PCs, the functions are free and you can "create an infinite number of images".
The Adobe applications Photoshop, Lightroom and Express are already available for Copilot+ PCs. Illustrator, Premiere Pro and more are due to arrive over the summer. DaVinci Resolve Studio, film editing software, CapCut for background effects and other applications are also already available.
(emw)