Microsoft has started testing out a new intelligent search for its Photos app, giving it the ability which rival photos apps - such as Google Photos - already have. Spotted by Windows Central, the firm has started rolling out the latest update to some Windows Insiders, providing them with search capability for the images stored in OneDrive.
The new search functionality uses a cloud-based image recognition algorithm to sort out the images into groups based on different items inside the pictures including people"s faces, so searches like "cat", "turtle", "dance" and "phone" will be able to list related images.
The app starts indexing the pictures on the first search, which reportedly takes one second per image. This recognizes the pictures based on their content, making the users able to search images based on colors, objects, and other items. The indexing is then stored locally for rapid searches. While the indexing is being done, the search area starts to fill up with the pictures of people recognized and the suggested tags. Moreover, the AI-powered search also suggests photo albums based on different tags recognized in the pictures.
Furthermore, folks who are uncomfortable with the facial recognition capability of the search can easily turn it off by going into the settings of the app.
It is to be noted that the updated Photos app (version 2017.35063.13610.0) has only rolled out to Windows Insider Release Preview ring and the other beta rings have not received it yet, as the Fast and Slow rings currently aren"t receiving app updates. Hopefully, we will see the updated app in the upcoming Windows 10 Fall Creators Update.
Source: Windows Central