web wrapper Archives

Winsage

August 24, 2026

Microsoft accidentally admits new Outlook looks bad

Microsoft has introduced a new setting in Outlook on the web and Outlook for Windows that allows users to modify the interface to resemble the classic Outlook. This optional feature aims to ease the transition for users familiar with the classic version by changing visual styling, layout, typography, icons, and interactions. Feedback indicates that the transition to the new Outlook has been challenging, with users expressing frustrations about its performance and efficiency compared to the classic version. Critics have noted that the new Outlook functions as a web wrapper, raising questions about its classification as a native app. Additionally, Microsoft has disabled Mail & Calendar to encourage users to switch to the new Outlook, highlighting the difficulties in promoting this update.

AppWizard

August 12, 2026

3 Apps You Can Sideload On Android Auto

Transforming an old tablet into an Android Auto head unit involves activating developer mode and enabling "Unknown Sources" to sideload applications. Alternatively, third-party tools like Android Auto Apps Downloader (AAAD) can be used to integrate unofficial apps. Sideloading carries risks, as these apps are not officially vetted and may malfunction after system updates. CarStream is a sideloaded app that allows users to access YouTube on their car display without rooting their phone, making it useful during parked moments. Fermata Auto is an open-source media player that plays local media files from a phone or hard drive, ideal for offline use. Screen2Auto mirrors a phone's display onto the car screen, allowing access to any app, but should be used with caution while driving.

Winsage

August 10, 2026

Windows 11’s built-in weather app hogs more than 1.2 gigabytes of RAM just to tell the forecast — memory-sucking web wrapper filled with ads masquerades as an actual application

Microsoft is addressing issues related to user dissatisfaction with its Windows operating system, which has faced criticism for lack of optimization, excessive bloat, and intrusive advertisements. The built-in weather application, MSN Weather, exemplifies these problems, consuming up to 1.2GB of RAM while idling and displaying ads despite being part of a paid OS. In contrast, Apple's macOS weather app uses about 250MB of memory and operates ad-free. MSN Weather functions as a web wrapper, utilizing eight Chromium-based subprocesses, which raises concerns about its efficiency. Microsoft plans to update all native Windows applications to the Win32 standard for better optimization, but it is unclear if this will also apply to MSN-branded services like MSN Weather. Users have shown a preference for mobile devices over the weather widget introduced in Windows 11.

Winsage

June 13, 2026

WhatsApp is eating 1.2GB RAM on Windows 11, even as Microsoft kills web app slop

WhatsApp for Windows, despite having a large user base of 3 billion globally and 1.6 billion on Windows, suffers from significant performance issues, including high RAM usage (400 MB before logging in and up to 1.2 GB while idling), slow message delivery, and a choppy scrolling experience. The app operates as a web wrapper using the WebView2 framework, which leads to inefficient resource consumption compared to native applications. Users across various hardware configurations report freezing, delayed messages, and instability. Microsoft’s Teams app also faces similar performance challenges due to its reliance on the same framework. There is a growing concern about the trend of developers opting for web applications over native ones, driven by a lack of trust in native frameworks. Despite Microsoft's push for native app development through WinUI, there is currently no native version of WhatsApp for Windows, while Meta has developed optimized versions for other platforms.

AppWizard

May 10, 2026

My new favorite AI-powered app switches between 70+ AI chatbots with a tap

Generative AI is increasingly prevalent in digital applications and services. A bi-weekly series will highlight innovative AI applications. AI Hub is an open-source platform that consolidates 78 AI services and chatbots into a single interface, allowing users to filter and run multiple bots simultaneously while focusing on privacy by blocking trackers and ads. Other notable AI applications include Off Grid, which allows local data processing and offline functionality; Yaps, an Android keyboard app that enhances dictation accuracy; and DealHunt, which provides insights on tech deals and pricing history.

Winsage

May 7, 2026

Microsoft admits Windows 11 is still built on 90s-era Win32, and no one saw it coming

Users engage with the Win32 API when right-clicking files or launching desktop applications in Windows 11, a technology that has persisted since Windows 95. Microsoft’s Chief Technology Officer, Mark Russinovich, noted that the longevity of Win32 was unexpected, as it was not part of the company's original vision for the future. Despite attempts to replace Win32 over the past two decades, many users still have more Win32 applications than modern alternatives. Microsoft has introduced several frameworks to replace Win32, including MFC, WinForms, WPF, WinRT, and UWP, but none have fully succeeded. Developers have shown a preference for RAM-intensive web applications over native ones due to concerns about the stability of Microsoft's frameworks. Microsoft has introduced WebView2 to embed web technologies in desktop applications, leading to increased memory usage. In response to user needs, Microsoft is shifting back to native applications with WinUI 3, aiming to modernize Windows 11 while retaining access to Win32 infrastructure. The company is gradually replacing legacy Win32 UI elements with WinUI 3 components, improving performance and user experience.

Winsage

March 18, 2026

Microsoft appears to be dumping native Copilot for Windows 11 in favour of web wrapper yet again

The latest update for Copilot has transformed it into a WebView-based application, marking it as a hybrid app rather than fully native. The new Copilot (version 146.0.3856.63) operates as a web application, evidenced by multiple sub-processes in the Task Manager that are characteristic of Microsoft Edge. The version number of Copilot aligns closely with that of Microsoft Edge. The revamped Copilot functions as a web app within a desktop shell but loads content from copilot.microsoft.com. Despite its web-based nature, it performs comparably to its native predecessor and launches more quickly. Microsoft had previously announced a "native" version of Copilot, which was misleading as it still relied on web components. In 2025, Microsoft began distributing a truly native Copilot app, free of web components, which started in March 2025. However, the Copilot has now reverted to a web-based format for users in the Windows Insider Program, with plans to extend this change to non-Insiders soon.

Winsage

February 20, 2026

Microsoft’s new Windows 11 speed test is just a link to Ookla’s Speedtest via Bing — button housed in the taskbar in latest Insider Preview build

The speed test feature has been introduced in Windows Insider builds 26100.7918 and 26200.7918, allowing users to assess their internet connection directly from the taskbar. Users can access this feature by right-clicking the network icon or using the Wi-Fi/cellular quick settings, selecting "Perform speed test," which opens a streamlined version of Ookla's Speedtest interface in the default browser. The interface displays three key statistics: Latency, Download, and Upload. Additionally, the new Insider builds include new emojis, improved backup and restore capabilities, enhanced camera controls for supported devices, and native implementation of System Monitor (Sysmon) within Windows.

Winsage

January 11, 2026

I uninstalled Windows 11’s WhatsApp WebView2 and replaced it with the old native app with a new trick

WhatsApp's transition to a Chromium-based web wrapper has resulted in a significant increase in resource consumption for Windows 11 users, with RAM usage reportedly surging to 2GB, compared to less than 1GB for the older version. Users can revert to the older version, which utilizes native code and is more efficient, by following a series of steps involving enabling Developer Mode, downloading a specific package, and using PowerShell commands. The older version maintains a steady resource usage, with memory consumption peaking at 400 MB during status updates and remaining under 300 MB for general messaging. However, reverting to the older version will prevent users from receiving new updates, and it may eventually be phased out by Meta.

Winsage

December 5, 2025

Decline of Native Windows Apps: Electron’s Rise and Hybrid Future

Native Windows apps, once central to the desktop experience, are declining in favor of web-based technologies like Electron and Chromium. Developers are shifting towards web wrappers for cross-platform compatibility and efficiency, despite performance drawbacks. WhatsApp has transitioned from a native app to a web wrapper, prioritizing maintenance over performance. This trend is evident across various software categories, with applications like Spotify and Slack adopting web frameworks, leading to increased resource consumption and slower performance. Microsoft’s focus on cloud services and AI has influenced this shift, as has the demand for cross-platform solutions. Native apps are being overshadowed by web technologies, which often lack deep integration with Windows features. Performance trade-offs are significant, with web wrappers consuming more memory than native apps. The rise of progressive web apps (PWAs) and AI integration further complicates the landscape, suggesting a future where the definition of "native" may evolve. The tech community is divided on these changes, with some advocating for a balance between web and native solutions.