Media Library: define requirements to replace Calypso "Media" with the standard WordPress "Media" view

[annezazu]

As part of the Untangling Calypso epic, this seeks to define requirements and any blockers for replacing wordpress.com/media/ view with the standard WordPress wp-admin/upload.php view for new users. This relates to https://github.com/Automattic/wp-calypso/issues/95393 where you can see the beginnings of a breakdown between Core vs WordPress.com's experience.

This will reduce confusion navigating between Calypso and proper WordPress admin.

Current known differences

Access to external sources (Google Photos, Pexels, Openverse)

Calypso's view only shows this as an option"

Slider to change grid density

Calypso offers a slider to change grid density whereas Core doesn't have the option. In the future, if data views is used for the media library, we can reuse the grid density options baked in:

Tabs for each filters by file type rather than a dropdown

Calypso shows each filter as a separate tab folks can quickly sort by whereas Core relies on a dropdown.

Calypso:

Core view:

Coherent upgrade pathways for audio & video

Calypso has an upgrade nudge for audio and video in each tab whereas Core just shows a text based nudge around upgrading for VideoPress.

Calypso:

Core view:

Sorting by date

Calypso doesn't have the option whereas Core's view does:

Cropping tools

The same tooling is available in each just presented differently, except changing scaling options which is only available in Core.

Calypso:

Core view:

Please edit to add more! This is just a start.

[annezazu]

Related work in Core to bring data views to the Media Library: https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/issues/55238

[tanjoymor]

From a Happiness / user perspective:

The only functionality from Calypso that has a high priority is access to the external sources.

• Could this be managed via a notice at first, with integration explorations happening later?

The other differences are mostly cosmetic and don't feel like blockers.

• Slider to change grid density - nice to have, not critical
• Otherwise Core offers more functionality