14 DAY TRIAL // The existing preview builds of Windows 10 for phones come with a redesigned Photos app, but it turns out that Microsoft is actually planning a more significant overhaul of the UI for the next preview builds that could be released in the coming weeks and months.
A screenshot posted today by NPU reveals that the Photos app would finally give up on the hamburger menu and would actually go for a more unique approach that's very likely to appeal to most Windows Phone enthusiasts.
It's a well-known fact that the Android-inspired menu has caused quite a controversy in Windows 10, so Microsoft might be working to address these complaints in apps where it can implement a different approach. So the Photos app seems to be one of the first apps to step away from the hamburger.
Albums are ready
If you've installed the existing technical preview builds of Windows 10 for phones, you probably noted that many of the features available in the Photos app aren't yet ready, but this screenshot confirms that there's more to come for insiders in the upcoming releases.
The Albums section is now ready and comes with a pretty eye-candy look, with small thumbnails at the top of the screen to access camera roll, saved pictures, favorites, and screenshots.
Bigger thumbnails below enable users to browse all their photos which are now placed in categories based on their date. Browsing should thus be easier for those who shoot plenty of photos and that was probably the main purpose of this redesign.
This new Photos app is expected to be included in the next Windows 10 Mobile preview build, which according to Microsoft itself should see daylight in the coming weeks. Other goodies that are likely to be part of this release include a redesigned Xbox app and the new Office productivity suite for mobile devices.