iCloud Photos is coming to Windows 11
The Windows Photos app is getting an unthinkable upgrade
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Microsofthas begun the rollout ofiCloudphoto library integration withinWindows 11, in the form of an update to the Photos app.
Theannouncementon the Windows Experience Blog from Dave Grochocki, Principal Product Manager Lead for Windows Inbox Posts, follows the company’s initialunveilingof the feature at its Surface event in October 2022.
Once users receive the update, they should download theiCloudfor Windows app from the Microsoft Store to link their accounts.
Microsoft, Apple, and closed ecosystems
Windows integrating withApple’s owncloud storagesolution is surely one of the first signs that the notion that Microsoft and Apple devices ought to be separate ecosystems is thawing.
As previously reported byThe Verge, iCloud photo library integration follows Apple Music appearing as an app in the Microsoft Store (although Windows users will have to wait until next year), and a native Apple TV app is also said to be coming soon in preview.
Microsoft claims that the decision to integrate the two platforms was made with user experience in mind.
“We know that many Windows customers have photo and video collections on theiriPhonesthat they would like to be able to view on their PC,” wrote Grochocki.
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“This iCloud Photos integration will make it easier for those with an iPhone to have direct access to all their cherished memories in one organized place and is another step in our continued efforts to make experiences onWindows 11seamless.”
The new feature is similar to Microsoft’s recentdecisionto allow photo libraries onAndroid phonesto be used withMicrosoft 365on the web. That integration works similarly, in that an additional app is required to link photo libraries across platforms.
Luke Hughes holds the role of Staff Writer at TechRadar Pro, producing news, features and deals content across topics ranging from computing to cloud services, cybersecurity, data privacy and business software.
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