standalone app Archives

AppWizard

May 3, 2025

Facebook parent Meta launches AI assistant app, further competing with OpenAI and Google

Meta Platforms launched a dedicated app for its Meta AI assistant, enhancing user experience by providing personalized responses based on user data from Facebook and Instagram. The app is powered by Llama 4, Meta's latest large language model, designed to compete with AI systems from OpenAI and Google. It will integrate with Meta’s AI glasses and the existing companion app. Meta is also hosting its first AI developer event, LlamaCon, on the same day as the app launch and plans to test a paid subscription model for advanced versions of its AI chatbot in the second quarter. Meta AI, launched in September 2023, serves as a virtual assistant capable of reasoning tasks.

AppWizard

May 3, 2025

NotebookLM gets Gemini 2.5 Flash as it prepares to launch as a standalone app

NotebookLM has been upgraded to the Gemini 2.5 Flash model, improving its multi-step reasoning capabilities for better responses in chatbot and Q&A modes. The Audio Overviews feature now supports over 50 languages. Google plans to launch NotebookLM as a standalone app at the Google I/O 2025 event, with pre-registration available on the App Store and Google Play Store. A new Output Language setting for Audio Overviews allows users to choose a language different from their default. NotebookLM was initially previewed as Project Tailwind at Google I/O 2022.

AppWizard

March 30, 2025

My favorite Google productivity app is everywhere and nowhere

36% of participants in a poll confirmed they actively use Google Tasks via its app or web interface, while 18% only add tasks through other Google products without engaging with the Tasks app. 9% expressed interest in trying it out for the first time, and 36% indicated they prefer another to-do platform. Google Tasks was originally an integrated feature within Gmail and Calendar and was relaunched as a standalone app in 2018. It allows users to create tasks from various Google services, enhancing its utility. The app is characterized by its simplicity and straightforward interface, which may contribute to its obscurity. Google is gradually rolling out new features for Tasks, including improved sorting options and easier task management capabilities. Despite its potential, Google Tasks currently occupies a lower priority in Google's broader product strategy.

Winsage

March 26, 2025

Windows Photos adds fancy editing features from other Microsoft apps

Microsoft is updating its Windows Photos app with features from its Designer application in version 2025.11030.20006.0. The app will include AI-powered editing tools, such as image touch-ups, background removal, and photo upscaling, particularly for users with Copilot+ PCs that have a Neural Processing Unit (NPU). A new Optical Character Recognition (OCR) feature will enable users to import documents and extract text from images, similar to Office Lens. The integration of Designer's creative elements will allow users to create designs using existing images for greeting cards and other layouts. Users will be able to access the "Create with Designer" feature by right-clicking on photos in File Explorer. Additionally, the app will automatically display photos from subfolders in Gallery mode and will support JPEG XL (JXL) file formats.

Winsage

March 1, 2025

Microsoft just launched a Copilot app for macOS, and Windows fans may be jealous

Microsoft has launched the Copilot app as a standalone offering for macOS, moving away from its previous web-only access. The app serves as a wrapped version of the web interface but includes native elements for improved usability, which are not available in the Windows version. Key features include Think Deeper and Copilot Voice, both offered at no additional cost. Users can upload and generate images and text, utilize a shortcut launcher, and access dark mode. The app requires an M1 processor or later and macOS 14 Sonoma or newer. It was initially launched in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada, and has quickly become the top featured app in the App Store. Additionally, Microsoft announced that the Copilot app for iPad will soon support split-screen mode.

Winsage

December 28, 2024

Best Windows 11 AI features that work on any computer

A Copilot+ PC is not required to access many AI features in Windows 11; older laptops that run Windows 11 can still utilize various AI-driven tools. The Photos app includes AI enhancements such as the Background tool, which allows users to blur, remove, or replace backgrounds in images. The Generative Erase function in Photos enables users to remove unwanted objects from photos. Microsoft Clipchamp offers an Auto Compose feature for quick video editing, allowing users to create videos with AI assistance. Microsoft's Copilot has become a standalone app, enabling window movement and custom keyboard shortcuts, and integrates advanced language models to assist with various tasks across Microsoft applications.

Winsage

November 25, 2024

Windows 11 gets more adverts – and we’re not sure what’s going on with the latest ads, but they’re rather bewildering

Microsoft is increasing its promotional efforts in Windows 11 by introducing advertisements labeled as ‘suggestions’ or ‘recommendations.’ These ads encourage users to purchase titles like Call of Duty Black Ops 6 and subscribe to Microsoft 365. The notifications panel now includes a prompt for the Call of Duty Black Ops 6 Vault Edition with a ‘Buy Now’ button that links to the Microsoft Store, and another notification promotes the Microsoft Defender app, which requires a Microsoft 365 subscription for full functionality. Users can opt out of these advertisements by adjusting settings in the Settings app. However, some embedded advertisements remain unavoidable, and there is a growing trend of advertisements in both Windows 11 and Windows 10, with Microsoft encouraging users to upgrade to Windows 11, often necessitating a hardware upgrade.

Winsage

November 20, 2024

Windows and Office get smart: An overview of Microsoft’s AI services

Microsoft is integrating artificial intelligence across its software ecosystem, particularly in Windows and Office applications. The AI assistant Copilot is accessible via the taskbar or Start menu and operates through the Edge browser, allowing users to engage with AI for tasks like generating text and creating images. Copilot is embedded in Microsoft Edge, enabling users to ask questions and receive answers powered by Bing, with options for different conversational styles. The Edge integration offers enhanced capabilities such as summarizing web content and utilizing plugins for travel and dining searches, which are not available in the standalone app. Microsoft's Paint application has been upgraded with Cocreator and Image Creator features that use AI to generate images based on user descriptions, leveraging Dall-e technology from OpenAI. The Image Creator operates through Microsoft’s cloud resources, while Cocreator processes locally on Copilot Plus devices. The Windows Photo Viewer has a generative erase function that allows users to remove unwanted objects from photos, intelligently filling in gaps left behind. Microsoft has developed PCs with Neural Processing Units (NPUs) to handle AI tasks locally, enhancing performance and addressing data privacy concerns. The Designer feature has expanded from PowerPoint to Word, providing AI-driven design suggestions, but requires a paid Microsoft 365 subscription. The Copilot Pro subscription allows for text generation, template creation, and data analysis in Excel, though some limitations exist. AI capabilities have also been integrated into tools like Clipchamp and Teams for video creation and communication management. Microsoft has paused the rollout of the Recall feature, which tracks user activity through screenshots, due to privacy concerns.

AppWizard

November 7, 2024

Google is ending Android Auto support for older phones. Here’s why (and the simple fix)

As of this week, Android Auto has officially ceased support for smartphones operating on Android 8. Users with Android 8 devices are receiving notifications that their phones no longer support Android Auto, and to maintain functionality, an upgrade to Android 9 or later is essential. The integration of Android Auto into the operating system starting from Android 9 eliminates the need for a standalone app, and it is possible that the Android Auto app may be removed from the Play Store. Approximately 5% of Android users are still on version 8, and while some have attempted to sideload older versions of the app, this method has not been effective. Upgrading to a newer smartphone is the most viable solution, with budget-friendly options available, such as the CMF Phone 1 from Nothing, retailing around 0.

Winsage

October 18, 2024

9 must-know details about Windows 11’s big 2024 update

Windows 11 is set to receive a significant update in 2024, known as version 24H2, which will enhance user experience and tighten security protocols. The AI feature "Recall," designed for AI-based searches, has been shelved due to data protection concerns. The update will not allow installations on older hardware that does not meet new requirements, including Arm processors that must run version 8.1 or later. The AI assistant Copilot will be available as a standalone app without system modification capabilities. The user interface will be refreshed, featuring a simplified date display, an updated quick access menu, and the ability to pin applications to the taskbar via drag-and-drop. A new sidebar will improve smartphone connectivity. Users will be able to create ZIP and TAR archives from the context menu, and the Teams client will support private chats. The update will introduce the "sudo" command for administrative tasks, support the Wi-Fi 7 standard, and enhance printer compatibility with Windows Protected Print Mode.