Techcrunch - Officially, Microsoft Launches Its AI-Powered Note Taking App Journal As An Windows App

Microsoft Experimental Project

After its initial release, a digital note-taking application called Journal leverages an experimental project housed with Microsoft's internal incubator, Microsoft Garage, to become a full-fledged Microsoft Windows application. The company announced the new note-taking app would be available as "Microsoft Journal," allowing users to take their thoughts and makes drawings using their digital pen on Windows tablets, 2-in-1s, and other pen-capable devices.

Microsoft Original Idea

The idea behind Journal was to offer users an alternative to grabbing a paper and pen when inspiration strikes, whereas still allowing them to express themselves through writing. The concept was popular to the company, which had first launched an ink-focused application called Journal back on its Tablet P.C. in 2002 to release "ink" capabilities across apps like Whiteboard, OneNote, PowerPoint, and more explained at the time.

Add Block

Digital Ink With AI Technologies

Journal, however, wanted to push the concept by combining the digital ink input with A.I. technologies. The team trained the app's A.I. to automatically recognize and categorize the things users write, including headings, starred items, keywords, and even drawings. A.I. has also helped improve the app's search capabilities so that you can retrieve your old notes, lists, sketches, and more, based on its understanding of your inked notes and content.

Power New Gestures

And A.I. helped power new gestures, like scratch and instant lasso, tools you could move between more quickly, without switching modes. We are entering an age of computer-aided reasoning, where A.I. accelerates people's tasks and makes us all more productive. The Technical Fellow and leader of Microsoft's Applied Sciences, speaking about the app's exit from Garage.

Time Of Garage Project

The team learned that users have their individual preferences for interacting with content using touch and a digital pen, but there wasn't a clear winner as to the most-preferred method. The app is rolling out to users from April 5 through April 8 but can be downloaded directly from the Microsoft Store. It ready works on both Windows 10 and 11 devices. The team says its focus in the near term is now to address user feedback and a backlog of new features.