The app world never stays still for long.
The second half of October brought its share of fresh updates and clever improvements, and we’ve been keeping an eye on them.
Time to recap what’s been happening so far this month.
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Meta to Shut Down Messenger Desktop Apps
Meta confirmed it’s saying goodbye to the Messenger desktop apps for Mac and Windows. Starting December 15, users won’t be able to log in anymore and will be redirected to the Facebook website to keep chatting.
Those still using the desktop apps will get an in-app alert giving them 60 days before the shutdown. Meta recommends deleting the app once it stops working and setting up secure storage with a PIN to make sure chat history is saved before switching to the web version.
Windows users can move to the Facebook desktop app, while both Mac and Windows users can access Messenger directly from Facebook.com. The change follows Meta’s move last year to replace the native app with a Progressive Web App, marking the final step in that transition.
👉 Learn more about Messenger’s shutdown.
WhatsApp to Limit Unanswered Messages
WhatsApp is testing new rules to reduce spam by limiting how many messages users and businesses can send without getting a reply. The idea is simple: if you keep sending messages to people who don’t respond, they’ll start counting toward a monthly limit.
When a user or business gets close to that limit, WhatsApp will show a pop-up warning with the message count, so they can avoid being blocked from sending more. The company hasn’t revealed the exact number yet, since it’s still testing different limits across several countries.
Most people won’t notice a difference in daily use — the change is mainly aimed at spammers and businesses that flood inboxes. Over the past year, WhatsApp has been adding more safeguards, like caps on marketing messages and easy unsubscribe options, to make chats feel less cluttered and more personal.
👉 Learn more about WhatsApp’s new messaging limits.
OpenAI Launches ChatGPT Atlas, an AI-Powered Browser
OpenAI just introduced ChatGPT Atlas, its first AI-powered browser, aiming to change how people search and interact with information online. The browser debuts on macOS, with Windows, iOS, and Android versions coming soon, and it will be available to all free users at launch.
Atlas puts ChatGPT at the center of the browsing experience, letting you chat directly with your search results and use a built-in side panel that understands whatever is on your screen. It also includes browser history, allowing ChatGPT to learn from the sites you visit to offer more personalized answers.
The browser adds an “agent mode” that can perform small tasks for you, like completing forms or organizing information, though this feature is initially limited to Plus, Pro, and Business users.
👉 Learn more about ChatGPT Atlas.
YouTube Rolls Out Likeness-Detection for Creators
YouTube just launched its likeness-detection technology for creators in the Partner Program, giving them a way to spot and remove AI-generated videos that mimic their face or voice.
Creators can verify their identity in the new “Likeness” tab, see flagged videos, and request removals or take action directly from their dashboard. They can also opt out anytime if they don’t want YouTube scanning for their likeness.
👉 Learn more about YouTube’s likeness tools.
Microsoft Relaunches Edge as an AI Browser
Just two days after OpenAI unveiled Atlas, Microsoft introduced a revamped version of its Copilot Mode in the Edge browser, turning it into a full AI-powered browsing experience.
Copilot can now understand what’s on your open tabs, summarize or compare information, and even take actions like booking a hotel or filling out forms. The update also adds “Actions” and “Journeys,” two features that make browsing feel more interactive and contextual.
👉 Learn more about Microsoft Edge Copilot Mode.
Adobe Adds AI Assistants to Express and Photoshop
Adobe has introduced new AI assistants for Express and Photoshop to make image creation and editing faster and more intuitive. In Express, users can now switch to a mode that lets them create designs using text prompts, then return to the standard editing view when needed.
The new Photoshop assistant, still in beta, sits in the sidebar and can help select objects, create masks, and handle repetitive tasks like removing backgrounds or changing colors.
Adobe is also testing Project Moonlight, a future assistant that could coordinate across its apps and even connect to social channels to better understand a creator’s style. With these updates, Adobe continues to blend AI creativity with hands-on control.
👉 Learn more about Adobe’s new AI assistants.
Plenty of updates to close out October. Stay tuned to our blog for the next round of highlights coming in November.
