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Microsoft drops Copilot branding from Windows 11 apps
Winsage
April 12, 2026

Microsoft drops Copilot branding from Windows 11 apps

Microsoft is phasing out the Copilot branding from various native applications in Windows 11, including Notepad and Snipping Tool, replacing the Copilot button with a writing tools menu. Similar changes are being made in other applications like Photos and Widgets. The updates aim to reduce the number of Copilot entry points while maintaining core AI functionalities. Microsoft is shifting its focus to embedding AI directly within applications instead of highlighting it as a standalone feature, resulting in a more streamlined user experience. Users will see fewer visible AI shortcuts, but functionality such as AI-assisted features will remain accessible through different menus.
Microsoft's Shift to Native Windows Apps: A Win for Users?
Winsage
April 10, 2026

Microsoft’s Shift to Native Windows Apps: A Win for Users?

Microsoft is shifting its focus towards web applications, raising concerns among users about the future of the Windows operating system. This trend has led to a homogenization of the Windows experience, making it harder for users to distinguish it from other operating systems. Historically, Microsoft has prioritized native applications, which provide unique performance and functionality. The rise of web apps has been influenced by the popularity of mobile devices and the need for cross-platform compatibility. There is uncertainty about whether Microsoft will continue down the path of web technologies or return to prioritizing native app development. Tish Haag, an author, noted that while web technologies are useful, they have contributed to the loss of Windows' unique identity. To maintain relevance, Microsoft needs to reconsider its strategy and reinvest in native app development.
Android XR’s latest update now lets you pin apps to your walls on Galaxy XR
AppWizard
April 7, 2026

Android XR’s latest update now lets you pin apps to your walls on Galaxy XR

Chrome Unboxed offers a membership option called Chrome Unboxed Plus, providing an ad-free experience and access to a private Discord community. Google has rolled out new features for the Samsung Galaxy XR headset, enhancing user immersion and navigation. Users can now pin applications to their physical walls, and sessions automatically restore when the headset is put back on. An experimental feature called auto-spatialization allows 2D apps to be transformed into a 3D experience. The library of immersive apps for Android XR has more than doubled, exceeding 100 apps. A new Labs feature enables users to see their physical hands while interacting with virtual content. Additionally, Android Enterprise support is now available for XR, aiding organizations in deploying headsets for training and collaboration.
Is this the perfect Windows app to emulate? Microsoft needs to take notes.
Winsage
April 7, 2026

Is this the perfect Windows app to emulate? Microsoft needs to take notes.

Microsoft is forming a team to enhance native Windows applications, coinciding with the launch of Speechify in the Microsoft Store. Speechify offers text-to-speech and speech-to-text functionalities, and has been noted for its effective dictation features. It is compatible with various chip architectures, including AMD, Intel, and Snapdragon X, and utilizes WinUI 3 for a native experience. Collaboration with Microsoft has optimized Speechify's functionality, allowing for integration across applications, real-time text input, and OCR-based text capture while ensuring local data security. The app can run in the cloud or locally, leveraging NPU or GPU acceleration. However, it has limitations, such as the inability to manually resize its window. Microsoft is encouraged to adopt Speechify's approach by supporting all chip architectures, ensuring availability in the Microsoft Store, and prioritizing native application development using WinUI 3.
The new Copilot app for Windows 11 is really just Edge in disguise
Winsage
April 6, 2026

The new Copilot app for Windows 11 is really just Edge in disguise

Microsoft's new Copilot application for Windows 11 operates as a hybrid web application that essentially launches Microsoft Edge, functioning more as a rebranded browser wrapper than a standalone AI assistant. The installation replaces the previous native Copilot app with a version that includes Microsoft Edge files, such as msedge.exe and msedge.dll, within a WebView2 container. A user demonstrated that renaming the Copilot executable to msedge.exe allowed it to launch Microsoft Edge directly. Microsoft has expressed a goal to develop 100% native applications for Windows 11, but it is unclear if this will apply to the current Copilot.
Microsoft Outlook doesn't launch in space, and on Earth, the email app takes more than 15 seconds just to get started
Winsage
April 3, 2026

Microsoft Outlook doesn’t launch in space, and on Earth, the email app takes more than 15 seconds just to get started

Microsoft Outlook has been criticized for performance issues, exemplified by an incident during a NASA livestream where an astronaut reported two malfunctioning Outlook applications. Additionally, a tech commentator shared a video showing Outlook taking over 15 seconds to display an email after a notification was selected, which was not linked to recent Windows updates. Outlook faces competition from alternatives like Samsung Email, Gmail, and Apple Mail, which are considered superior due to their use of native user interface frameworks. Microsoft is working on replacing web-based applications with fully native counterparts for Windows 11 to improve performance and restore user confidence.
Native Apps? It's a Trap! ⭐️
Winsage
April 3, 2026

Native Apps? It’s a Trap! ⭐️

Microsoft's Copilot+ launch event in May 2024 introduced a feature called Recall, which sparked privacy concerns among enthusiasts. Pavan Duluri, head of Windows, indicated a focus on addressing Windows 11's "pain points" in 2026, but expectations among fans exceeded his promises. The introduction of AI features, including Copilot, received mixed reactions, with some users fixating on the removal of elements like the Copilot icon rather than overall functionality. There is a divide between passionate enthusiasts and the broader user base, complicating Duluri's task of balancing user needs with corporate demands for new AI features. Rudy Huyn, a principal lead architect at Microsoft, promised to replace web-based inbox apps with "100 percent native" applications, a claim viewed skeptically due to the complexities involved. While enhancing web-based experiences is feasible, many significant web apps are designed to remain as such. The challenges facing Windows include broader corporate strategies and user dissatisfaction, with concerns about perceived declines in quality. Improvements to features like the Start menu and File Explorer may not satisfy ongoing complaints from enthusiasts.
Microsoft is Forming New Team Tasked With Building "100% Native" Windows Apps
Winsage
March 31, 2026

Microsoft is Forming New Team Tasked With Building “100% Native” Windows Apps

Microsoft is establishing a dedicated team to develop native, high-quality Windows applications, led by Rudy Huyn, a Principal Lead Architect with experience in the Microsoft Store and File Explorer. Huyn emphasizes that prior experience with Windows is not necessary, focusing instead on strong product thinking and a customer-centric approach. The goal is to create "100% native" applications to improve the app experience on Windows, which has been criticized for lower quality compared to macOS applications. The Microsoft Store has faced criticism for offering basic web apps, and there are ongoing performance issues with applications like Microsoft Teams and Copilot for Windows. Microsoft plans to enhance Windows 11's performance and reliability by reintroducing features and improving core applications.
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