14 DAY TRIAL // If you’re an avid Windows Phone user, you most likely know that the current version of Microsoft’s mobile operating system can only handle GIF files with Internet Explorer, if opened from the web, or with dedicated apps if the GIFs are stored within the phone’s storage.
But otherwise, there’s no way to open locally-stored GIF files because Windows Phone does not offer native support for this format by default.
That’s going to change in Windows 10 Mobile and the currently available build, namely 10136, already comes with such functionality in the new Photos app, thus letting you open and watch GIF animations on the phone directly, without the need for loading photos in Internet Explorer or other third-party browsers.
GIF sharing options
Basically, with native support, GIFs now work on Windows phones just like any other picture format, so once you open one, you have the standard image options, including sharing features to quickly send them to your friends and contacts via email, Skype, or other application.
At the same time, the new Photos app gives you the option to play GIFs you receive via installed apps, such as email. So, whenever an image with this format arrives in your inbox and you tap it, the Photos app takes control and loads the app to play the animation.
While this is just a subtle improvement, it surely comes in handy to those who spend a lot of time browsing websites such as reddit and 9GAG, where GIFs are part of the daily routine. Obviously, Microsoft is expected to improve this feature until Windows 10 Mobile arrives, which according to sources should happen later this year, most likely in October.
Windows 10 Mobile development will be accelerated next month when Windows 10 for PCs gets the go-ahead on July 29, as more engineers will then be able to focus on the smartphone version of the OS.