In a move that has surprised and disappointed many of its users, Microsoft has announced that it is killing off its well-loved Lens app. The app, which is a popular PDF scanner, is set to be removed from both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store, marking the end of an era for a very popular and highly-rated application. The announcement is a clear signal of Microsoft’s new direction, which is to consolidate its offerings and push its new AI-powered tools.
For years, Microsoft Lens has been a go-to app for users who needed to scan documents, whiteboards, and other text. The app was praised for its ability to convert scanned images into editable files, and it was a simple and effective tool for both personal and professional use. The app’s popularity is reflected in its numbers; it has been downloaded more than 500 million times and has a very high rating of 4.7 out of 5 on the Google Play Store. The closure and removal of such a beloved app is a significant move, and it’s a clear sign that Microsoft is making some major strategic changes.
Microsoft’s reasoning behind the closure is centred on its new focus on AI. The company is asking users to switch to its other AI-powered apps, such as Copilot, for the same functionality. This is a clear move to consolidate its offerings and to push its new AI tools. By removing Lens, Microsoft is effectively forcing its users to adopt its new AI-powered ecosystem, a move that is likely to accelerate the adoption of Copilot and its other AI offerings.
