WhatsApp Archives

AppWizard

August 2, 2026

Your Samsung phone already has something better than Android 17 App Bubbles — here’s how to use it

Android 17 introduces App Bubbles, allowing users to create floating bubbles for apps on their screen for easier access while using other applications. Samsung Galaxy phones have a similar feature called Pop-Up View, which offers a more refined multitasking experience with resizable, floating windows. Pop-Up View allows users to interact with multiple apps simultaneously without disrupting the primary app, making it useful for tasks like watching videos while chatting. Users can access Pop-Up View through the Recents menu, a swipe gesture, or the Edge Panel. The swipe gesture is preferred for its speed, though it may require practice. Pop-Up View supports individual window resizing and maintains visibility of app contents in the background, unlike App Bubbles, which can obscure the screen.

AppWizard

July 31, 2026

Russia Designates Telegram Founder Pavel Durov As A ‘Terrorist’

Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, was designated as a "terrorist" and "extremist" by Russia's FSB on July 29, ahead of parliamentary elections in September, due to claims that Ukrainian intelligence services extensively use Telegram. Durov, who has dual citizenship in France and the UAE, publicly expressed defiance against this classification by sharing content emphasizing "freedom of expression." This designation aligns him legally with Aleksei Navalny, though it does not extend to the Telegram platform itself. Telegram remains popular in Russia despite regulatory challenges and has been used by Russian intelligence services. Durov has resisted government pressure to allow access to the app's security infrastructure. The FSB is attempting to tighten control over Telegram, but its significance for political mobilization complicates these efforts. Additionally, Durov faces legal threats in Europe related to content moderation on Telegram.

AppWizard

July 30, 2026

Russia accuses Telegram CEO Pavel Durov of aiding terrorism in its latest digital crackdown

Russian authorities have charged Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram, with aiding terrorism, amid a crackdown on online freedoms since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The Federal Security Service (FSB) accused Telegram of failing to remove channels used by Ukrainian intelligence and extremist groups, leading to human casualties. Durov, residing abroad, is on international wanted lists and could face a life sentence if convicted. Telegram has over 1 billion global users and has not commented on the charges. Under President Putin, Russia has enforced strict internet censorship, banning major social media platforms and blocking messaging apps like Signal and Viber. Despite restrictions, many Russian officials still use Telegram. Durov was also arrested in Paris in 2024 for allegedly allowing illicit activities on the platform, and he remains under investigation in France. Additionally, Russia has been accused of using Telegram for its own recruitment efforts related to sabotage.

Winsage

July 30, 2026

A major Windows 11 UI redesign is coming, Microsoft is dumping legacy code for WinUI

Microsoft is transitioning more Windows UI elements to WinUI3, moving away from legacy UI inconsistencies that have led to increased RAM usage. WinUI serves as the native UI framework designed to replace older technologies like Win32 and UWP. An early preview of the redesigned Properties dialog, rebuilt in WinUI, showcased new native elements. Microsoft plans to bring more Windows UI to WinUI3, despite previous issues with hastily integrating dark mode into legacy code. The decision to rebuild the Properties dialog indicates a commitment to investing resources in this initiative. Updates across various dialogs and system components are ongoing, with the file copy dialog already rewritten in WinUI. The Run dialog has also transitioned to WinUI, loading faster than its predecessor. However, the Start menu rewrite is being cautiously managed due to current memory usage issues with WinUI. Microsoft is actively working to enhance WinUI’s memory usage and integrate it with the Windows system compositor for improved performance.

AppWizard

July 28, 2026

WhatsApp Web is finally picking up voice and video call support

WhatsApp Web will introduce end-to-end encrypted voice and video calling, allowing calls directly from a desktop browser. New features include a dedicated Calls tab for call history, reactions, and screen sharing. A Waiting Room feature will let call hosts control participant access, while Call Transfer will enable seamless transitions across devices. Noise Suppression technology will improve conversation clarity, and QuickHD will provide HD video quality quickly, though performance in low connectivity areas is uncertain. The rollout of these features will occur gradually, with no specific timeline provided.

AppWizard

July 27, 2026

Wave of WhatsApp suspensions sweeps across Israel, raising concerns of blocked accounts

A recent surge in WhatsApp account suspensions in Israel has caused concern among users about the security of their accounts. The Israel Internet Association advised users to safeguard their important data. Yonatan Ben-Horin from the Safe Internet Hotline noted that the inquiries received during this period were different from typical complaints, with users reporting suspensions after sending innocent messages to businesses or contacts. The suspensions were linked to messages directed towards businesses and not to unfamiliar numbers. The Israel Internet Association has reached out to Meta to address the situation and is collecting reports from affected users. Ben-Horin emphasized the importance of maintaining independent backups of information, as many users rely on WhatsApp for communication and reminders.

AppWizard

July 25, 2026

Kommersant: foreign messaging app audience in Russia grew 26%. Telegram remains among leaders despite being blocked.

The combined audience of foreign messaging applications in Russia increased by 26% in the second quarter of 2026. The Turkish app BiP experienced a 120% increase in unique users, totaling 4.3 million, while KakaoTalk grew by 80%, reaching nearly 1.3 million users. The American app imo remains the leader with 12.2 million users, but its growth was only 1% in the same quarter. Major telecom companies like MegaFon reported a 20% decline in imo usage among their subscribers. Telegram had a monthly audience of 75.7 million, Max messenger had 86.2 million, and WhatsApp had 63.5 million users. Telegram and WhatsApp have faced significant restrictions, leading to a gradual decline in their audience. After calls on Telegram and WhatsApp were banned in August 2025, users began exploring alternative messaging applications, contributing to the rise of lesser-known services.

AppWizard

July 24, 2026

Cockroaches using apps that send messages without internet? Here is tech behind it

Delhi police are investigating the methods used by protesters in Central Delhi, particularly those associated with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), who are using specialized offline messaging applications to communicate despite internet restrictions and mobile network shutdowns. These apps utilize Bluetooth technology to create local networks, allowing communication without 4G, 5G, or Wi-Fi. One example is Bitchat, an app that enables message exchange via Bluetooth without the need for accounts or central servers. The messages are relayed between devices to form a mesh network, which is effective during internet shutdowns. The police are reaching out to app service providers for user information and are employing various investigative methods, including analyzing internet protocol device records and using facial recognition technology. This use of offline messaging apps has been observed in protests globally and during natural disasters.

AppWizard

July 23, 2026

US Court Rules That Meta May Have Concealed Messenger Encryption Risks for Children

The Eighth Circuit Court of the United States ruled against Meta, finding the company likely violated Nevada’s Unfair Trade Practices Act by misleading users about the security of its end-to-end encryption on Messenger. The court noted that Meta did not disclose knowledge of serious child safety issues related to the encryption technology. Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford criticized Meta for concealing information that could help parents protect their children online. Following the ruling, the court has restricted Meta from making false statements or withholding safety information regarding Messenger for users under 18 in Nevada.

AppWizard

July 22, 2026

WhatsApp’s latest update makes the app way more useful on Android Auto

WhatsApp has introduced enhancements for Android Auto and CarPlay, allowing users to hear and respond to incoming messages through their car's infotainment system, streamline call-making and access call history, and quickly reach favorites for a hands-free experience. Additionally, for desktop and web users, WhatsApp now enables opening PDFs directly in the chat interface with basic editing features, and users can share songs from platforms like Apple Music or Spotify to their WhatsApp status.