Streamlining the photo experience in Windows
As we’re gearing up Windows 10 for phones, there will be some important changes to some Lumia apps you currently use on your Lumia devices running Windows Phone 8.1. Read on to find out more.
When the Nokia Devices & Services business joined Microsoft last year, we began working on a unified Camera and Photos experience that combines the best ideas and innovations from both companies.
In order to sharpen our focus on our core Windows 10 Camera and Photo apps, we are ending support for some Lumia apps. These apps won’t be removed from your devices, but they’ll no longer be available from the Windows Phone Store (with immediate effect), and after October 30, 2015, online services and updates for these apps will end.
What apps will be affected?
Lumia Storyteller, Lumia Beamer, Photobeamer, and Lumia Refocus will no longer have online services available, and they will no longer be updated after October 30, 2015.
Lumia Panorama and Video Uploader will continue to work if you have them, but they will no longer receive updates or support.
None of these apps will be available in the Windows Phone Store with immediate effect, but if you already have them installed, they won’t be removed from your device.
How can I make sure I don’t lose my online stories I’ve created with Lumia Storyteller?
The stories you see in the Lumia Storyteller app on your phone won’t be affected and will continue to work within the app, but stories you’ve published on the “online stories” site will no longer be available from the web service after October 30, 2015. To keep the images and videos in your online stories, open the Storyteller app, select online stories, and view each published story on the web. Then from the website, download all the images and videos that you want to keep. Be sure to do this before October 30, 2015, when the website will no longer be available.
What will happen to Lumia Beamer and Photobeamer?
Lumia Beamer and Photobeamer services will stop working on October 30, 2015.
Can I still download these apps from the Store?
No. As we are ending the support for these apps, they are being removed from the Windows Phone Store, with immediate effect.
What will happen to the Lumia apps already installed on my phone when I upgrade to Windows 10?
Apps that are already installed on your phone will continue working when you upgrade to Windows 10, but some features might not work after related services are shut down on October 30, 2015.
Why is Microsoft making all these changes to the apps I use and like?
Our goal is to provide experiences that work really well on all Windows devices. In order to do that, we need to focus on making our Windows 10 core Photos and Camera apps great.
Will Microsoft update the Windows 10 Photos and Camera apps to support all the features that are currently available in the Lumia apps?
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.