app closure Archives

AppWizard

September 7, 2026

Samsung is shutting down a couple of apps; vows to return new and improved

Samsung is phasing out its Quick Measure and AR Doodle applications, with a shutdown date set for December 31, 2026. After this date, Quick Measure will not be available for new downloads or updates, although existing users can still use it, albeit with potential feature limitations. The AR Doodle app will also cease operations on the same date. Samsung previously discontinued its Messages app in July, replacing it with Google Messages. Notifications about the app closures were highlighted by social media user Tarun Vats. Samsung has indicated a commitment to enhancing user experience and may reintroduce these applications with improved services in the future. Quick Measure was designed to monitor heart rates without navigating the full Samsung Health app and was first introduced in 2021. The future of these applications remains uncertain, with potential for reinvention or integration into existing platforms.

AppWizard

March 31, 2026

Zero ceases trading with banking app to shut down today

Fintech app Zero ceased trading on March 18 due to its inability to secure additional funding. It plans to keep the app operational until March 31, but this is not guaranteed. There are over 21,500 registered users affected by the closure, which includes Zero Personal Accounts, Zero Debit Mastercards, and Planet Safe Savers. Users are advised to withdraw funds as soon as possible. Zero Personal Accounts are linked to UK current accounts, allowing users to withdraw funds back to these accounts. Funds in e-money accounts are not safeguarded by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). For Planet Safe Saver accounts, funds must be transferred to a personal account before withdrawal, with transfers potentially taking until 1pm the following day to process. Any deposits not moved by around March 26 will be automatically transferred to the Zero Personal Account. Cash in the Planet Safe Saver is fully FSCS protected.

AppWizard

March 25, 2026

OpenAI is shutting down Sora, and the timing is hard to ignore

OpenAI has announced the discontinuation of its Sora app, expressing gratitude to its users and indicating plans to share more information soon. Launched in late 2024, Sora gained popularity but faced high operational costs, reportedly reaching millions per day. The shutdown coincides with Disney's withdrawal of a billion-dollar investment related to OpenAI's video generation initiatives. While OpenAI may be stepping away from standalone video generation, its technology is expected to be integrated into ChatGPT. Bill Peebles, head of Sora, noted that the app's economics were unsustainable, leading to the decision to discontinue it and streamline operations.

AppWizard

May 22, 2025

How to Export Your Saved Articles Before Pocket Shuts Down for Good

Pocket will cease operations on July 8, with users required to export their saved items by October 8. The app is no longer available for download, and sign-ups and renewals have been disabled. Users can export their data by linking their account to a valid email and clicking the Export HTML file button, with the process taking up to 7 days. The export link will expire after 48 hours. Monthly renewals for Pocket Premium have been stopped, and annual subscribers will receive a prorated refund. All accounts and data will be permanently deleted after October 8.

Winsage

February 27, 2025

Windows 10 Mobile’s App Store officially dies—for real this time

Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 Mobile five years ago. The Microsoft Store on Windows 10 Mobile has shut down, with users reporting a gray screen or error messages when attempting to access it. Office applications received updates until 2021, but the store's closure marks a significant decline for the platform. Some users can still see the Home page of the store but face limitations, such as being unable to install apps or access the Purchased section. Most essential applications became incompatible with Windows 10 Mobile by the time Windows 11 was released, leading to a lack of available apps. Users now resort to sideloading for installing new apps.