'Microsoft Pix' for iOS Introduces Smart AI to Automatically Adjust Photos

[MacRumors]

Microsoft today launched a new camera app for iOS devices called Microsoft Pix, which uses an artificial intelligence to adjust settings, choose the best photos, and automatically enhance each picture you take. The app will work on the iPhone 5s or newer, running iOS 9.0 or newer, with the company planning an Android release in the future. It did, however, remain curiously silent on introducing the new app's features into its own Windows Phone line.

In order to obtain the very best image, Microsoft Pix takes a burst of shots before and after the image capture shutter button is tapped, similar to holding down the button for a burst shot in Apple's first party camera app. The new app goes one step further, however, and intelligently siphons through each shot to choose the best image, and delete whatever is left over to save memory. This usually ends up with up to three "Best Images" for you to choose from.

Microsoft calls the app "people-centric," with the AI's biggest enhancement feature centering around its ability to focus in on faces within a photograph to enhance and adjust the focus, color, and exposure "so people look their best." The app's underlying algorithms can even detect whether a person has their eyes open or closed, and use that information as another factor in picking the best photo.

"They are building this for people who aren't photographers but who like to take pictures -- and would like to take better pictures -- but don't want to take the time to learn what goes in to making better pictures," says Reed Hoffman, a Kansas City-based photography consultant and instructor with the Nikon School of Photography who tested beta versions of Microsoft Pix.

Once a picture has been taken, Microsoft Pix even lets users filter back-and-forth between the "normal" shot without any of the app's tinkering, and the higher-quality, post-enhancement photo.

When "interesting motion" is detected in a picture, Microsoft's app functions similarly to Apple's Live Photo feature in the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus. The app will create a "Live Image" with these motion-based images, that loop an animation repeatedly instead of requiring a user to impress upon them to begin their animation, like in Live Photos. A handful of other features include automatic stabilization, or "Hyperlapse," syncing with Apple's Camera Roll, and easy sharing to social networks from directly within the app.

Users can download and try out Microsoft Pix for free on the App Store. [Direct Link]

Article Link: 'Microsoft Pix' for iOS Introduces Smart AI to Automatically Adjust Photos

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

I've got a few questions:
#1 - If the app is free, how does Microsoft plan to make money off of this?
#2 - Do your pictures leave your device and go to Microsoft's servers to be analyzed? Or is the AI entirely contained within the app, with no dependencies on an internet connection/Microsoft's servers?

 

[whit2891]

How does this differ from Google Photos? Their automatic enhancements are impressive also.

 

[Howyalikdemapls]

“They are building this for people who aren’t photographers but who like to take pictures — and would like to take better pictures — but don’t want to take the time to learn what goes in to making better pictures,”
-Derek Zoolander

 

[MacDawg]

Downloaded it, and it is actually pretty good
A little trouble switching from the back camera to forward facing, but you just have to work at it a bit
Has some editing effects that are interesting as well
Will look forward to playing with it

 

[adamjackson]

People keep trying to use filters and software to make their crappy cell phone photos look decent on anything more than a 4" screen. I'm just sitting here with my SLR taking great photos w/o even trying.

I've got a few questions:
#1 - If the app is free, how does Microsoft plan to make money off of this?
#2 - Do your pictures leave your device and go to Microsoft's servers to be analyzed? Or is the AI entirely contained within the app, with no dependencies on an internet connection/Microsoft's servers?

You answered your own question. Microsoft is going to mine all of the photos, building social graphs, location, trends, analyze w/ deep learning & AI algorithms to improve their products across the board and not charge you for the privilege.

 

[5097842]

I really don't understand MS's treatment of their own phone line. I get that their market share is miniscule. But if MS is going to keep selling them, they should at least have parity with their own iOS apps. From what I've seen, they're not bad phones.

I know the conventional thinking is they'll never get any market share. But in the history of the computer industry, some companies that have been left for dead have made an impressive comeback.

 

[69Mustang]

“They are building this for people who aren’t photographers but who like to take pictures — and would like to take better pictures — but don’t want to take the time to learn what goes in to making better pictures,”
-Derek Zoolander

Soooo, most of us. I'd be willing to bet the vast majority of people don't care about photography. They just want their selfies, food photos, and "I am here" pics to look decent.

 

[whit2891]

Downloaded it, and it is actually pretty good
A little trouble switching from the back camera to forward facing, but you just have to work at it a bit
Has some editing effects that are interesting as well
Will look forward to playing with it

I can't see any value that other apps don't already provide outside of automatically enhancing the image. Doesn't seem to have any differentiating features.

 

[69Mustang]

I can't see any value that other apps don't already provide outside of automatically enhancing the image. Doesn't seem to have any differentiating features.

Might be nice for the ton of iPhone users who don't have Live Photo capable handsets. Which leads to the question, if MS could... never mind. I'm sure Apple had their reasons.

 

[MacDawg]

I can't see any value that other apps don't already provide outside of automatically enhancing the image. Doesn't seem to have any differentiating features.

Automatically enhancing the image IS the differentiating feature

 

[err404]

People keep trying to use filters and software to make their crappy cell phone photos look decent on anything more than a 4" screen. I'm just sitting here with my SLR taking great photos w/o even trying.

I'm sure that you have heard the saying "the best camera is the one you have with you".
I used to be a big fan of SLR cameras. But over time I found that I was missing shots because it was to much to carry with me all of the time. And even when I had it with me, it took to long to take the shot.
These days I use my phone for photos almost exclusivity. I am very happy to trade a bit of saturation and resolution for the increase in convenience.
Apps like this give me better photos from the device I use.

 

[NightFox]

'Microsoft Pix' for iOS Introduces Smart AI to Automatically Adjust Photos

Smart AI. It's like regular artificial intelligence but intelligenter.

 

[miknos]

Microsoft is doing great software lately.

 

[sgreen314]

I've got a few questions:
#1 - If the app is free, how does Microsoft plan to make money off of this?
#2 - Do your pictures leave your device and go to Microsoft's servers to be analyzed? Or is the AI entirely contained within the app, with no dependencies on an internet connection/Microsoft's servers?

#1, Who knows?!

#2 I put my 5s into airplane mode. It enhanced one picture pretty well. I also tried creating a "Live" photo with a oscillating desk fan, it created a moving picture offline as well.

Considering it requires a 5s or better to even install, it seems like all processing is done locally.

*quick edit

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

I really don't understand MS's treatment of their own phone line. I get that their market share is miniscule. But if MS is going to keep selling them, they should at least have parity with their own iOS apps. From what I've seen, they're not bad phones.

I know the conventional thinking is they'll never get any market share. But in the history of the computer industry, some companies that have been left for dead have made an impressive comeback.

I think that the issue is likely that the people working on/selling Microsoft's phones are not the same people who are working on Microsoft's apps.

The apps team sees no point in supporting the phone. The phone team doesn't have the clout within Microsoft to force the apps team to do anything differently.

 

[Xavier]

“They are building this for people who aren’t photographers but who like to take pictures — and would like to take better pictures — but don’t want to take the time to learn what goes in to making better pictures,”
-Derek Zoolander

And this statement identifies why lots of people do not value photography, or in other words, my line of work.

I did download the app and its pretty cool! I could see how it is really appealing!

 

[whit2891]

And this statement identifies why lots of people do not value photography, or in other words, my line of work.

I did download the app and its pretty cool! I could see how it is really appealing!

Yeah, it is a shame that the artistic integrity of photography is challenged by the iPhone. I still think there is a healthy amount of demand for high quality DSLR images. Imagine a future where the wedding photographer is using their iPhone. Scary!

 

[richpjr]

Automatically enhancing the image IS the differentiating feature

LOL - that pretty much sums it up.

 

[Carlanga]

People keep trying to use filters and software to make their crappy cell phone photos look decent on anything more than a 4" screen. I'm just sitting here with my SLR taking great photos w/o even trying.
...

I have seem better photos on phones than SLR as well. Its all about the environment and composition. Phone cameras in 2016 are the replacement for the regular digital cameras and they are with you everywhere. Your post is just an excuse to say you own an SLR, congratulations but nobody cares. Its obvious a better anything will work better than the less quality equipment in the right hands.

 

[richpjr]

I have seem better photos on phones than SLR as well. Its all about the environment and composition. Phone cameras in 2016 are the replacement for the regular digital cameras and they are with you everywhere. Your post is just an excuse to say you own an SLR, congratulations but nobody cares. Its obvious a better anything will work better than the less quality equipment in the right hands.

It does bring up something that I deal with all the time. I have a DSLR and a half dozen lenses and they obviously take way better pictures than a phone ever will. But the old saying that err404 brought up about the best camera is the one you have with you is very true. Sometimes I just don't feel like lugging a backpack with a bunch of lenses around with me and use the camera in my phone. And every time I am disappointed by the quality, but at least I get a picture.

 

[Sefstah]

So Microsoft can make live photos on a 5S or newer but Apple can't? Way to go Apple! Hold out on features to your loyal customers so they have to upgrade. Loyalty only last so long.

 

[macduke]

“They are building this for people who aren’t photographers but who like to take pictures — and would like to take better pictures — but don’t want to take the time to learn what goes in to making better pictures,”
-Derek Zoolander

Best comment I've read on this site in months.

 

[gaanee]

App description says - it takes burst of shots before and after you tap the shutter... just wondering - how does the app know when the tap is coming so that it starts taking shots? or is it continuously recording as soon as you launch the app even though the shutter is not tapped? In the 2nd case it's likely to consume more battery.

 

[gwhizkids]

Yeah, it is a shame that the artistic integrity of photography is challenged by the iPhone. I still think there is a healthy amount of demand for high quality DSLR images. Imagine a future where the wedding photographer is using their iPhone. Scary!

I hope this is sarcasm. I've seen some pretty good images taken with nothing but an iPhone. Give a pro an iPhone and they can take better pictures than most amateurs can with with a medium format or full framer. May not upsize well, but how many people are taking shots to make 8'x6' prints?
[doublepost=1469638714][/doublepost]

So Microsoft can make live photos on a 5S or newer but Apple can't? Way to go Apple! Hold out on features to your loyal customers so they have to upgrade. Loyalty only last so long.

Psst: Apple sells phones for money. Of course they want you to upgrade! Its not like they are taking features away from you. Loyalty should not be why you make a purchase. You should make a purchase because the value proposition of the item you are looking to buy (including its ecosystem) corresponds to your wants/needs. If Apple's practice of upgrading devices doesn't meet your desires, buy from a different company.