Microsoft is set to introduce a new feature to its OneDrive platform that rivals the Magic Eraser tool found in Google Photos. The upcoming update will include a Magic Erase feature powered by generative AI technology, allowing users to easily remove unwanted elements from their photos.
Despite delays in widespread implementation, Microsoft has been focusing on integrating generative AI into its productivity suites, such as Microsoft 365. The beta version of the OneDrive app for Android already contains strings related to the object eraser feature, showing similarities to Google Photos’ implementation. Users will be able to use a brush tool to delete specific elements in their photos, with Microsoft’s AI technology automatically filling in the deleted areas.
OneDrive users will be given a warning before using the Magic Erase feature, as the AI may not always provide perfect results. This caution aims to manage user expectations and encourage feedback for improvement. While the Magic Erase feature is not yet available in the app, its presence in the beta version suggests that users can expect its wider appearance soon.
Additionally, Microsoft has announced that OneDrive’s Copilot feature will be available on the web by late April, with mobile apps likely to follow suit. This update could include the Magic Erase tool, potentially rivaling Google Photos’ Magic Eraser feature that has been available to Pixel owners and Google One subscribers since last year. Google’s tool not only allows manual selection of areas to remove but also offers automatic suggestions for removing distractions from images.
As the race for AI-powered photo editing tools heats up, Microsoft’s integration of generative AI into OneDrive showcases its commitment to enhancing user experience and productivity in the digital age. With the Magic Erase feature on the horizon, OneDrive users can look forward to more seamless photo editing capabilities in the near future.
