For many Windows Phone users, the Lumia camera and camera related apps were what made the platform a standout experience. From the Carl Zeiss lens to the Lumia Creative Studio app for photo editing, Windows Phone camera experience was second to none in the smartphone industry.
Well, much of that is about to change. Soon, many of the photo-related apps from the Lumia catalog will be retired from use on Windows Phones and Windows Mobile devices. News from Lumia Conversations has it that to streamline the camera experience on the Windows Phone platform, Microsoft is ending support for some Lumia apps.
[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”to streamline the camera experience on the Windows Phone platform, Microsoft is ending support for some Lumia apps”[/pullquote]
On the chopping block are Lumia Storyteller, Lumia Beamer, Photobeamer, and Lumia Refocus. As of October 30, 2015, the services running these apps will no longer work, and have already been removed from the Windows Phone Store. Lumia Panorama and Video Uploader will continue to function, but will lack support and won’t be updated going forward. For anyone who already has the Lumia catalog of apps installed on their phones, the apps will remain put and not be removed from devices.
Beyond keeping the apps, Windows Phone users who invested in using Lumia Storyteller are given some instructions to preserve their online stories material. If you posted an online story, Microsoft encourages you to view each published story on the web, and then download images and videos you would like to keep. There is a time limit on retrieving published stories because as of October 30, 2015, “the online stories site will no longer be available from the web service”, according to Microsoft.
It is unfortunate to see useful apps such as these leave the Windows Phone experience. While Windows Phone may lack for general apps, the Lumia stable of photo-related apps we among the best in any ecosystem. All is not lost, however. Microsoft’s focus on streamlining the Windows 10 Photos and Camera apps may see the return of some Lumia app specific photo features built into the camera experience on Windows 10 Mobile:
“Many of the Lumia features are already included in the Windows 10 Photos and Camera apps. While we can’t promise that any particular feature is coming back, we’re committed to providing a great photo and camera experience in Windows across devices, and we’re listening to your feedback as we continue improving our apps.”
After seeing the comments surrounding the design of the next Microsoft flagship, let’s just hope Microsoft doesn’t lose their camera edge as well.
