Microsoft Pix camera app uses AI to let you scan documents better

The app already used AI to choose and optimise photographs and apply a number of filters.

Have you tried out this app yet? (Microsoft)

Microsoft has rolled out an update to its Pix camera application for iOS. The new update allows users to take better scanned photos of documents, whiteboards and business cards as well.

From the beginning, 'Pix' app used artificial intelligence (AI) technology to choose and optimise photographs and apply a range of filters.

This time the app would deploy AI technology for documents too.

"We have data that shows people are taking a lot of whiteboard photos at work, they are doing a lot of document scanning," said Josh Weisberg, a principal programme manager in the Computational Photography Group within Microsoft's research organisation in Redmond, Washington.

The updated camera app automatically detects whiteboards, documents and business cards in real time and intelligently adjusts camera settings for these types of photos.

Once the shutter clicks, the app uses AI to improve the image, such as cropping edges, boosting colour and tone, sharpening focus and tweaking the angle to render the image in a straight-on perspective.