Microsoft has started charging users for Notepad and Paint.

According to a report from PC World , AI-powered features such as the image generator in Paint and the text rewriting tool in Notepad will only be available to those with a paid Microsoft 365 account. However, non-AI-related features will continue to function normally. A company representative said they had no further comment on this decision.

Users now need to subscribe to Microsoft 365 to create images using AI in Paint.

With billions of dollars invested in OpenAI, Microsoft has integrated AI features into a variety of applications and services, including its Xbox gaming division and the Copilot application for Windows. This addition has led to an increase in the price of Microsoft 365, which now costs around $10 per month or $99 per year.

Many of Microsoft's AI features are ineffective.

However, not all of Microsoft's AI efforts have been met with enthusiasm by users. Copilot's Recall feature, designed to improve search by recording user activity, has been delayed due to privacy and security concerns. This stems from reports that the feature could collect sensitive information such as credit card numbers and social security numbers.

Microsoft's market capitalization surpasses $3 trillion.

For Notepad and Paint, requiring payment for AI features will not affect the ability of Windows users without a 365 subscription to access and use other functions. Microsoft provided more details about the new AI features on its blog in November.

According to an industry expert, Microsoft's move is similar to a freemium strategy aimed at creating demand for new features. However, this expert argues that offering AI features for free could become a financial burden for companies due to the high cost of using language models, so many tech companies may seek to price AI-based services with more flexible pricing models.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/microsoft-bat-dau-thu-phi-nguoi-dung-notepad-va-paint-185250318101541484.htm