Microsoft Lens app can be discontinued later this yr, the corporate stated final week. The app was designed to scan photographs of bodily paperwork, textual content, handwritten papers, and whiteboards and convert them into digital recordsdata. However, the Redmond-based tech big said that it is going to be retired in a phased method by the tip of this yr. While the corporate didn’t share the explanation behind the discontinuation of the Lens app, it steered that customers change to the Microsoft Copilot 365 in its place.
Copilot Replaces Microsoft Lens App
While the talk on synthetic intelligence (AI) changing jobs continues, it has already began changing apps. The Microsoft Lens app, which was launched in 2015 as a doc scanning instrument, is being retired as the corporate recommends customers use the Copilot app as a substitute.
On its assist web page, the tech big said that the Lens app can be retired from the iOS and Android marketplaces on September 15. Then, after November 15, Microsoft will cease supporting the app, though those that had beforehand put in the app will have the ability to scan new paperwork. Finally, this functionality can even be taken away after December 2025. After that, customers can solely entry older scans from the MyScans part.
Notably, Microsoft first launched the app geared toward its Windows Phone gadgets. Back then, it was referred to as the Office Lens, and in contrast to different third-party instruments, which required both buying the app or paying a subscription for premium options, it provided all options free of charge.
Offering an alternate, the tech big is now recommending customers to make use of Copilot for all their doc scanning wants. On the cell app, customers can open the menu and head to the Create tab to straight scan their paperwork. The desktop app and the web site may also carry out this activity when prompted for a similar.
However, Microsoft highlighted that some Lens app options are usually not obtainable within the Copilot app. These embody saving scans on to OneNote, Word, or PowerPoint, scanning enterprise playing cards to OneNote, studying paperwork aloud, and the combination of an immersive Reader.
