Microsoft is taking a significant step towards integrating artificial intelligence into its core applications, as it begins testing AI-powered summaries in Notepad. This new feature, available to Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev channels, enables users to generate concise summaries of text by highlighting a chunk of text, right-clicking, and selecting "Summarize".

The AI-powered summaries can also be generated using the Ctrl + M shortcut or by selecting "Summarize" from the Copilot menu. What's more, users can adjust the length of the summary to suit their needs. To access this feature, users must be signed into a Microsoft account, and they can disable AI features completely from the app settings menu if desired.

This development marks a significant enhancement to Notepad's capabilities, building upon Microsoft's earlier testing of an AI-powered Rewrite tool in the app. The company's continued investment in AI-driven features demonstrates its commitment to streamlining user workflows and improving productivity.

In addition to the AI-powered summaries, Microsoft is also introducing a new feature to the Snipping Tool called "draw & hold". This feature allows users to hold their cursor for a brief period when drawing a line, arrow, rectangle, or oval, and it will automatically straighten out the lines. This feature is reminiscent of a similar capability offered by Apple, and it promises to simplify the process of marking up screenshots.

The introduction of these features underscores Microsoft's focus on refining its core applications to meet the evolving needs of users. As the company continues to push the boundaries of AI-driven innovation, it will be interesting to see how these developments impact the broader technology landscape.

With the rollout of these features to Windows Insiders, Microsoft is taking a significant step towards enhancing the user experience across its ecosystem. As these features become more widely available, users can expect to see tangible improvements in their productivity and workflow.

In the context of Microsoft's broader strategy, the integration of AI-powered summaries and the "draw & hold" feature in the Snipping Tool represents a significant milestone. As the company continues to invest in AI-driven innovation, it is likely to have a profound impact on the technology industry as a whole.