Apple is closing down its photo printing service this September, it has emerged.
The company is altering users of the facility – built into the Photos app – that orders will no longer be taken after September 30. A notification within the desktop Photos app within the macOS Mojave beta tells the story (below, via 9to5Mac).
As yet it isn’t clear why Apple is taking this step, but we can only assume it’s because demand for the physical products has dropped to the point it’s no longer worth the company’s while. Apple is advising users to download third-party Photos Project Extension from the Mac App Store if they wish to create photo books. The company recommends the likes of Mimeo Photos, Wix, GoodTimes, WhiteWall and Shutterfly.
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The decision may also come as the perception of photos capturing an indelible memory may be shifting to more ephemeral experiences. The likes of Instagram and Snapchat have pushed the idea that some photos are relevant only for 24 hours as part of their Stories platforms.
The date September 30 is also likely to be significant. That could reveal the date Apple plans to roll out the completed Mojave version of macOS to all users. It could also be an arbitrary cut-off date Apple has simply chosen to stop taking orders.
Mojave will bring iOS apps to the Mac for the first time, along with a new Dark Mode, a Stacks feature to help with arranging content and video screenshots. Meanwhile, Continuity Camera will seamlessly let you click a button on your machine to easily take a photo using your phone and transfer it to macOS.
The news comes on the same day Apple unveiled a refreshed MacBook Pro range, with the 2015 model making way for the newcomers.
Will you miss Apple’s photo printing service? Drop us a line @TrustedReviews on Twitter.
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
