desktop apps Archives

Winsage

March 22, 2025

Microsoft launches new Windows 11 apps to make it easier to find contacts and files

Microsoft has unveiled two new companion apps for Windows 11 users: People and File Search. The People app enhances connectivity by allowing users to explore contacts, access profile cards, send messages via Teams, and search based on various criteria. The File Search app simplifies file management by enabling users to find recently opened files, search by content, filter by type, and preview files before sharing. Both apps integrate with Microsoft 365 tools and can be pinned to the taskbar for easy access. Currently, they are available to Windows 11 users who have Microsoft 365 desktop apps, are part of the Microsoft 365 Insider program (Beta Channel), and hold a Microsoft 365 subscription for business.

BetaBeacon

March 7, 2025

Winlator is still my favorite app for emulating PC games on Android

Linux distros offer endless customization options, including the ability to choose from a variety of desktop environments to enhance the user interface.

Winsage

February 28, 2025

Microsoft tests free Word, PowerPoint and Excel apps for Windows — expect a lot of ads

Microsoft is testing a free, ad-supported version of its Office desktop applications, allowing users to access tools like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint without a subscription or one-time purchase fee. This version will require documents to be stored on OneDrive, as local file saving will not be available. It will also lack advanced features such as add-ins, sophisticated formatting options, and dictation capabilities, focusing instead on basic writing and editing tasks. Microsoft has confirmed that there are currently no plans for a public launch of this free version, despite the ongoing limited testing.

Winsage

February 26, 2025

Thank Goodness, That Free Ad-Supported Version of Microsoft Office Was Just a Test

Microsoft has rolled out a free, ad-supported version of its Office app, which includes basic versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, but this is part of a limited testing phase with no plans for an official launch of a free version of its desktop Office applications. The free app is only available on Windows PCs and includes basic features, with more advanced functionalities requiring a paid upgrade. Users will see persistent ads and must save files to a OneDrive account before downloading them elsewhere.

Winsage

February 25, 2025

Microsoft is testing a free desktop version of Office – but there’s a catch

Microsoft is testing a free, ad-supported desktop edition of Office, available exclusively on Windows. This version includes Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, but features persistent banner ads and muted video ads every few hours. Users face limitations such as restricted access to advanced features and the inability to save documents locally, as files must be stored on OneDrive with a maximum of 5GB for free users. The testing phase is limited, with access granted to a select group, and there are currently no plans for an official launch. Users can try the version by downloading it from the official Office website and following specific installation steps.

Winsage

February 25, 2025

Microsoft is testing free Office for Windows apps with ads

The free desktop versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint are currently being tested in India, featuring advertisements and limitations compared to the paid Microsoft 365 subscription. This ad-supported version includes persistent banner ads and 15-second video ads, and requires users to store documents exclusively in OneDrive, disabling local file storage. The free version lacks several features found in the paid versions: Word does not include drawing and design tools or line spacing options; Excel does not support add-ins, pivot tables, or macros; and PowerPoint is missing dictation and custom slide shows. Microsoft has stated that there are no plans to launch a free, ad-supported version of the desktop apps, despite the current testing phase.

Winsage

February 24, 2025

You Can Now Use Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for Free on Windows

Microsoft has introduced free, ad-supported versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for Windows users, which require saving documents to OneDrive. These versions have significant limitations: Word lacks Dictate, Line spacing, WordArt, and all Draw and Design tools; Excel is missing Add-in support, Pivot Table functionality, and various chart types; PowerPoint excludes Add-ins, Dictate, Screenshot, and SmartArt. Users can use these apps offline, but they represent a compromise between Office Web Apps and the full desktop Office suite. The release coincides with a price increase for Microsoft 365 subscriptions and the distribution of AI credits for accessing Copilot features. To install, users must visit the Microsoft 365 website, skip the sign-in prompt, and agree to save documents to OneDrive to access editing features. There have been reports of inconsistencies in the installation process across different regions.

Winsage

November 1, 2024

ChatGPT Advanced Voice mode now available on macOS and Windows apps

OpenAI launched the Advanced Voice feature in May during the GPT-4o release, achieving response times of 232 milliseconds and an average of 320 milliseconds. The rollout began in September for ChatGPT Plus and Team subscribers in the U.S. The feature expanded to users in the EU, Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein. Users can access it by downloading the latest version of the ChatGPT app. Advanced Voice is also available in the macOS and Windows desktop applications, with a daily usage limit. Recent enhancements include five new voices and features for custom instructions and conversation memory. During DevDay 2024, OpenAI introduced the Realtime API for developers, with pricing based on text and audio token usage.

AppWizard

October 20, 2024

Best enterprise messaging platform of 2024

The top five enterprise messaging platforms of 2024 are: 1. Slack - Rating: ★★★★★ - Pros: Intuitive interface, supports seamless collaboration. - Cons: Can be distracting. 2. Zoho Cliq - Rating: ★★★★½ - Pros: Affordable, easy to use. - Cons: Limited third-party integrations. 3. Microsoft Teams - Rating: ★★★★ - Pros: No extra cost for Microsoft 365 enterprise subscribers. - Cons: User interface needs improvement. 4. Google Workspace - Rating: ★★★★ - Pros: Intuitive interface, top-notch performance. - Cons: Limited control over data privacy. 5. RingCentral Video - Rating: ★★★★½ - Pros: High-quality video calls. - Cons: Expensive. Key features of an enterprise messaging app include instant and reliable messaging delivery, encryption, cloud storage, and a mobile app. When choosing an enterprise messaging platform, consider cost, security, ease of use, and performance. The evaluation process for selecting these platforms involved assessing feature sets, user experience, integration capabilities, customer support, scalability, and collaboration features.

AppWizard

September 26, 2024

5 messaging apps for Linux that make chatting online fun again

Messaging is a primary mode of communication for many due to its instant gratification and community discussions. Various innovative platforms cater to different messaging needs: 1. Session: A privacy-focused messaging service that minimizes sensitive metadata and uses random user IDs for secure, end-to-end encrypted conversations. It is available as a free Linux AppImage. 2. Rambox: An application that consolidates multiple chat accounts into one interface, supporting services like Android Messages, Discord, Facebook, Google Chat, Instagram, and WhatsApp. It offers a free version with limitations and a Pro plan for .85 per month. Installation is done via Snap. 3. Element: A desktop application for the Matrix service that allows users to create and join public rooms on various topics. It can be installed through standard Linux repositories, Snap, or Flatpak. 4. Rocket.chat: A localized chat service that allows users to deploy a server on their local area network for secure communication. It includes collaboration features and can be installed for free via standard Linux repositories, Snap, or Flatpak. 5. Discord: A platform that combines messaging, voice, and video capabilities, popular among gamers. It facilitates community engagement and is available for free as a DEB or tar file.