Carlo is no longer maintained

Carlo, a tool that let developers make desktop-style apps by borrowing Google Chrome’s window and smarts, just got the official “no longer maintained” stamp — and the comments instantly turned into a roast. The big mood: this isn’t new. A GoogleChromeLabs owner, kinlan, reminded everyone that Labs projects are prototypes and “not officially supported,” then casually dropped the bomb that this change landed about five years ago. Another commenter summed it up with a single dry clap: “(2020).” Cue the memes about “breaking news from the past” and “Weekend at Carlo’s.”

Beyond the time-travel jokes, the thread spiraled into the classic debate: trust shiny Labs experiments or stick to the boring-but-supported stuff. Some shrugged, saying Labs is where ideas go to prove themselves or quietly fade; others grumbled that relying on a prototype was always risky. The Electron crowd (apps that bundle a whole browser) resurfaced with “told you so,” while Carlo fans mourned the promise of a leaner setup that used the Chrome you already had. Practical voices chimed in: if you built with Carlo, it’s migration time — look at Electron, NW.js, or straight Puppeteer. The final vibe? Carlo’s end isn’t shocking; the late announcement is the punchline.