KDE’s New Photos App: A Stylish Alternative to Gwenview
KDE has introduced a new image viewer and organizer called Photos, designed to challenge the longstanding Gwenview, which has been a staple in KDE for over 25 years. While Gwenview has been beloved for its robust features, development on the app has stagnated, largely due to its aging codebase and performance issues with large image collections. KDE developer Nate Graham acknowledged that contributions to Gwenview have decreased significantly, and it struggles with modern demands.
The Photos app, also referred to as Koko, originally began as a mobile application in 2017 and has recently evolved to include desktop capabilities thanks to sponsorship from Techpaladin Software, where Nate Graham serves as CEO. The latest iteration aims to enhance user experience with a streamlined interface and:
- Improved performance for managing large photo libraries
- Better support for HiDPI screens
- An adaptive UI that adjusts for mobile and desktop use
- Annotation tools powered by Spectacle
- Multiple viewing options, including timeline and location views
While Nate Graham encourages users to switch to Photos, ensuring its longevity will depend on continuous updates and maintenance. For those interested in trying the app, it can be downloaded from Flathub or through the KDE Store at KDE Apps.