Imagine turning your computer into a personal coloring book factory! Microsoft Paint, yes, that Paint, is getting a surprising AI-powered upgrade. But is it a game-changer or just a quirky experiment? Let's dive in.
Jess Weatherbed, a tech journalist specializing in creative industries and internet culture (with a background at TechRadar covering everything from news to hardware reviews), recently reported on Microsoft's intriguing move to inject AI into its classic Windows apps: Paint and Notepad. These updates, currently being tested by Windows Insiders on the Canary and Dev channels of Windows 11, are adding features that seem simultaneously niche and surprisingly sophisticated for such traditionally simple programs. Think AI-assisted text enhancements in Notepad and, most notably, the ability to generate custom coloring book pages directly within Paint.
This new feature, aptly named "Coloring book," allows you to create blank coloring templates based on simple text prompts. To access it in Paint version 11.2512.191.0, you'll find the "Coloring book" option within the Copilot menu. Simply type in your desired design – for example, "a cute fluffy cat on a donut" – and Paint will generate four different versions for you to choose from. Click on your favorite, and it will be added to your canvas, ready to be colored digitally within Paint or printed out for a more traditional coloring experience.
But here's where it gets controversial... Is this something people actually need or even want in Paint? It's a valid question. Weatherbed raises an important point: is this feature actually targeted towards coloring book enthusiasts (like parents or adults seeking stress relief) who are already using Paint? And this is the part most people miss... The "Coloring book" feature is exclusively available on Copilot Plus PCs, which suggests Microsoft might be using it to showcase the capabilities of its AI-powered Windows 11 devices in innovative ways. It feels like they're exploring new ways to make their AI-infused Windows 11 offerings more appealing. It's a bold move, pushing the boundaries of what we expect from a simple program like Paint.
Adding to the Paint updates, a "fill tolerance slider" (available even on non-Copilot hardware) is being introduced, granting users greater control over how the Fill tool applies color. This is a welcome addition for anyone who's ever struggled with the Fill tool bleeding into unwanted areas.
Meanwhile, Notepad is also getting some AI love. The 11.2512.10.0 update includes the ability to stream AI-generated results for the Write, Rewrite, and Summarize features. This means you'll see a preview of the text suggestions almost instantly, without having to wait for the entire response to generate. Notepad also boasts a new welcome screen that provides a quick overview of the app's features and now supports additional Markdown syntax, including strikethrough formatting and nested lists. These improvements aim to make Notepad a more versatile and user-friendly tool for text editing and note-taking.
So, what do you think? Is the AI-powered Coloring book feature in Paint a stroke of genius or a quirky gimmick? Will it revolutionize the way people create coloring books, or will it fade into obscurity? And more broadly, how do you feel about AI being integrated into traditionally simple apps like Paint and Notepad? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
