Microsoft pulls plug on Lumia apps for Windows Phone

At the end of October, Microsoft will pull the plug on various apps that it offers for Lumia smartphones. The tech giant says it is stopping the apps because of the restructuring of its apps for Windows 10. The programs have already been removed from the Windows Store.

Microsoft is discontinuing a range of Lumia apps. These are Storyteller, Beamer, Photobeamer and Refocus. Panorama and Video Uploader also no longer receive updates. The apps will no longer receive updates after October 30, and most additional online services will no longer function.

Those who have installed the apps on their Lumia smartphone will not lose them. Microsoft has only removed the programs from the Windows Store. This means that if the apps do not need to use the online services, they will still continue to function.

Windows also takes the installed Lumia apps with it to Windows 10 when upgrading, but the functionalities are limited. For example, only the local Storyteller ‘stories’, which show photos on a map with the places where they were shot, can be seen. The online stories will disappear by the end of October, so it is recommended that you download them, according to Microsoft.

Microsoft says it will stop with the Lumia apps because of the restructuring of its app offering. From now on, the company will focus primarily on the Photos and Camera app, which will most likely also have the functionalities of the Lumia programs. Microsoft does not promise that all functions will return, but does not make any further announcements.

Lumia apps were Nokia’s hobbyhorse for a long time before the company’s phone business was taken over by Microsoft. With the apps, the Finnish phone manufacturer tried to distinguish itself from competitors such as HTC. Microsoft also discontinued its Photosynth app for Windows Phone this year.