desktop app Archives

Winsage

April 14, 2026

Google’s Spotlight-like desktop search bar for Windows is available for everyone

Google released a desktop application for Windows inspired by macOS's Spotlight feature, available globally in English for Windows 10 or newer. Users can activate the app using the Alt + Space shortcut, which allows searching web content, local files, and Google Drive. The app includes viewing options like All, Images, and AI Mode, and integrates Google Lens for enhanced search capabilities. It also supports screen sharing. There is speculation about potential expansion to macOS and Linux, with reports of a Gemini app being tested for macOS.

BetaBeacon

March 31, 2026

Decentraland Launches on Epic Games Store; Android Mobile App Now Live, iOS Coming Soon

Decentraland is now available on the Epic Games Store for desktop users, offering an exclusive wearable for a limited time. The mobile app is currently available on Android with iOS coming soon, catering to the growing mobile gaming market. The mobile experience is designed for shorter, more frequent visits and seamless transition between desktop and mobile devices. Decentraland is a community-driven virtual space where users can engage in various activities and events.

AppWizard

March 11, 2026

Meta Is Shutting Down Messenger.com—Here’s What Users Need to Know

Meta will phase out Messenger.com as a standalone platform starting in April 2026, along with the Messenger desktop app. Conversations will be redirected to facebook.com/messages, allowing users to continue messaging through Facebook’s main interface. The Messenger mobile app will remain operational, and users without Facebook accounts can still use it. Chat history can be restored using a PIN. This shift appears to be part of a trend to consolidate platforms and streamline services.

BetaBeacon

March 5, 2026

I’ve finally completed my quest to transform my Samsung Galaxy XR into a bona fide Steam Frame, and it only took one free app to do it

GameHub app allows Samsung Galaxy XR users to play Steam games natively without the need for cloud streaming or subscriptions. The app is user-friendly and does not require excessive permissions. Users can easily connect their Steam account to the app and access their entire library on the Galaxy XR. Compatibility and performance checks are available, and additional options for performance adjustments can be configured. The app also supports VR games with the use of Bluetooth controllers and the Virtual Desktop app.

AppWizard

February 20, 2026

Messenger Website Is Shutting Down in April: Here’s What Next for Users

Meta will discontinue the standalone Messenger website on April 2026, following the retirement of the standalone Messenger applications for Mac and Windows in December 2025. Users will still be able to message through Facebook on desktop and via the Messenger app on mobile. After the shutdown, attempts to access the Messenger website will redirect to facebook.com/messages. Users without a Facebook account will only be able to access Messenger through the mobile app. Users can restore chat history using a PIN, which can be reset if forgotten. The decision was revealed by reverse engineer Alessandro Paluzzi, and Meta has started notifying users through pop-up notifications. Messenger was originally Facebook Chat in 2008, rebranded to Messenger in 2011, became a standalone service in 2014, and introduced a desktop application in 2020. Despite being one of the top four messaging applications globally, the decision has disappointed users.

AppWizard

February 19, 2026

Messenger is Shutting Down: How to Keep Chatting After April

Meta is notifying Messenger web users that the platform will be discontinued, with support for messenger.com ending in April 2026. The Messenger desktop application has already been phased out, leaving the website as the only option for messaging until its shutdown. Users will be redirected to facebook.com/messages after the discontinuation. However, individuals without Facebook accounts can still use Messenger via the Facebook web interface or the mobile app. Meta also allows users to save and migrate conversations by setting up a PIN. The long-term availability of Messenger without a Facebook account is uncertain.

AppWizard

February 19, 2026

Meta’s Shutting Down its Messenger Website

Meta will retire its standalone Messenger website, messenger.com, in April 2026, directing users to facebook.com/messages for messaging on the web. The Messenger desktop app has already been discontinued, and users will continue messaging via the Messenger mobile app or Facebook without needing a separate Messenger account. This change follows Meta's strategy shift to reintegrate messaging back into Facebook, amid ongoing legal challenges regarding its acquisitions of WhatsApp and Instagram.

AppWizard

February 17, 2026

Meta shutting down Messenger.com website in April, forces Facebook redirect

Meta will discontinue the Messenger.com service in April 2026, following the retirement of the standalone Messenger desktop app on December 15, 2025. Users will be redirected to facebook.com/messages for desktop messaging. The Messenger mobile app will remain available without a Facebook account. This change is part of Meta's strategy to integrate Messenger back into Facebook, a trend that has been ongoing since 2023.

Winsage

February 11, 2026

Microsoft tightens Windows security with app transparency and user consent

Microsoft is enhancing the security of its Windows operating system through two initiatives: User Transparency and Consent, and Windows Baseline Security Mode. The User Transparency and Consent initiative will notify users when applications request access to sensitive resources and log every permission granted, allowing users to review and modify their choices. Applications and AI agents will adhere to higher transparency standards. Windows Baseline Security Mode will enable runtime integrity safeguards by default, allowing only properly signed applications, services, and drivers to run. Users and IT administrators can approve exceptions for specific applications. These updates are part of Microsoft’s Secure Future Initiative, which aims to help organizations prevent, manage, and recover from security incidents. The rollout will occur in phases, with collaboration from developers, enterprises, and partners to ensure a smooth transition.

Winsage

January 8, 2026

Microsoft 365’s best-kept secret is leaving the Windows desktop

The Windows app for Sway will be retired on June 1, 2026. Users can continue to access all features of Sway through the web. Sway is a free app that offers enhanced functionality with a Microsoft 365 subscription.