Microsoft’s Sticky Notes teases upcoming upgrade: will it impress users with sparkly new features or another sticky situation for Microsoft?
Microsoft teases Sticky Notes revamp that’s apparently ready to go
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TheSticky Notes app for Windowsis about to get possibly its most significant update yet. The default Windows app functions similarly to how most people use post-its in real life - you can quickly jot down notes and make them visible on your desktop. It’s been four years since we’ve seen any major updates to Sticky Notes, andMicrosoftis promising that it’s got big things in mind for the handy app.
The update was announced bythe official Microsoft Sticky Notes account on X (formerly Twitter), the first post from the account since April 2020. The post generated buzz from users who quickly got to speculating about whatMicrosoftmight be cooking, with many users being quick to express concern that the new Sticky Notes will be a web-based app.
🎉New year! New updates! Stay tuned for some of our biggest announcements yet! 🥳 pic.twitter.com/OhgpkBxFfoJanuary 24, 2024
Windows fans launch into speculation
Some users guessed that the app was gettingan AI-powered injection similar to those seen in apps like Notepad and Paint, and in line with Microsoft’s great AI-aided tool push. In fact, our own Muskaan Saxena wrote about her hopes for anAI-powered Sticky Notes appearlier this year. It looks like neither this nor the notion of a web-based version is the case, however, withthe @stickynotes profile replying to its first announcement postthat the Sticky Notes app will not be a web app (for now, at least).
Since everyone is asking…Our big news is not a web app… for now😉January 24, 2024
It then followedwith a number of playful poststeasing users about the upcoming upgrade, including one that looks like a screen grab of the app that reads:
“Lots of rumors swirling about our update. Can you guess what it is?
Wrong answers only.
We’ll go first…
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Sticky Notes AI upgrade.”
Since everyone is asking 😆 pic.twitter.com/wKpSuvLMCZJanuary 29, 2024
Right now, Sticky Notes seems to enjoy a good reputation among users and Windows fans - even if it does have a relatively basic feature set.Neowin saysthe app has “reliability and simplicity,” and Microsoft would do well to prioritize and preserve these aspects of the app.
Microsoft’s recent track record
Microsoft recently launchedthe new web-based Outlook app, replacing existing desktop apps like Mail, with a less-than-enthusiastic reception. Users have expressed their disappointment with the new Outlook app’s feature-related shortcomings and its functioning as a powerful data harvester for Microsoft,as reported by Proton AG(a company offering online services with an emphasis on privacy). This recent Outlook-related news has users skeptical about future developments that come from Microsoft.
Fans and watchers of the Sticky Notes app are evidently open to seeing what Microsoft has in store, while not hiding their strong potential concerns, and Microsoft might just pull something truly impressive out of the bag. Some users have raised the question of whether Sticky Notes actually needs new and fancy features, but perhaps it’ll be easy enough to just not use whatever they don’t need.
Personally, I agree that an app like Sticky Notes might be best fit for purpose when kept simpler, and even if Microsoft adds features, there’s probably plenty of scope for development without needing to invoke AI. We’ll have to see just how exciting this upgrade is when it actually arrives, but till then, we’ll just have to wait and hope Microsoft hears the very much available user feedback.
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Kristina is a UK-based Computing Writer, and is interested in all things computing, software, tech, mathematics and science. Previously, she has written articles about popular culture, economics, and miscellaneous other topics.
She has a personal interest in the history of mathematics, science, and technology; in particular, she closely follows AI and philosophically-motivated discussions.
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