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Replace 8/7/2024: In keeping with a LinkedIn publish by the developer of NotchNook, a problem with the fee platform the developer makes use of prevents gross sales of NotchNook. In the event you’re occupied with buying this app, it’s best to anticipate updates from the developer. This text initially posted on July 24, 2024.
In the event you purchased a brand new MacBook not too long ago, you possible have one with a notch on the high of the show. As with the cutout on the iPhone, it’s the place the FaceTime digicam is housed, however not like the newer iPhones, macOS doesn’t have a Dynamic Island-like function the place the cutout is used as a consumer interface anchor.
NotchNook reveals that it may be accomplished—the notch on the MacBook is usually a extra helpful a part of the UI. It mainly provides a Dynamic Island-like UI to the menu bar with issues like media and shortcuts widgets, a file repository, and extra. It has quite a lot of potential, however some facets of the app may make you hesitate earlier than putting in it.
The Nook part of NotchNook homes media controls, Shortcuts, and a FaceTime Mirror. you may swap out the media controls or Shortcuts for Calendar. You can too rearrange the order of those widgets and modify the scale of NotchNook.
The Nook part of NotchNook homes media controls, Shortcuts, and a FaceTime Mirror. you may swap out the media controls or Shortcuts for Calendar. You can too rearrange the order of those widgets and modify the scale of NotchNook.
Foundry
The Nook part of NotchNook homes media controls, Shortcuts, and a FaceTime Mirror. you may swap out the media controls or Shortcuts for Calendar. You can too rearrange the order of those widgets and modify the scale of NotchNook.
Foundry
Foundry
NotchNook opens just by shifting the cursor to the MacBook’s notch (it additionally works with non-notched shows, showing as a half-sized notch in the midst of the highest of the display). It has two features, with the primary being the Nook the place you may entry media controls, shortcuts that you just’ve created within the Shortcuts app, and a Mirror that prompts the FaceTime digicam so you may see your self.
The media controls work with Apple Music and Spotify however I couldn’t get it to acknowledge Podcasts or QuickTime Participant. When music is taking part in, you may even use two-finger horizontal swipes to maneuver ahead or again a monitor when the cursor is contained in the notch. NotchNook additionally lacks quantity controls.
NotchNook asks for permission to entry facets of your information a number of occasions. Nonetheless, the developer doesn’t present a privateness coverage, so that you don’t get the entire story as to what they do together with your information.
NotchNook asks for permission to entry facets of your information a number of occasions. Nonetheless, the developer doesn’t present a privateness coverage, so that you don’t get the entire story as to what they do together with your information.
Foundry
NotchNook asks for permission to entry facets of your information a number of occasions. Nonetheless, the developer doesn’t present a privateness coverage, so that you don’t get the entire story as to what they do together with your information.
Foundry
Foundry
With the Nook, there’s an choice to substitute your Calendar for the media controls or Shortcuts. Doing this, nonetheless, means you should grant NotchNook permission to entry your Calendar. In the event you’re comfy with that (which I’ll develop upon in a bit), you’ll have the ability to see the date and any appointments you have got. Swipes to the left and proper change the date within the Calendar timeline so you may see different appointments, however you may’t launch the Calendar app by way of NotchNook.
The opposite NotchNook perform is the Tray, which has a few helpful utilities. The primary is AirDrop assist—simply drag a file to NotchNook, drop it within the AirDrop field, and the AirDrop interface seems. The opposite is a Tray tab that’s helpful for shifting recordsdata. Drag a doc to the file tray, and it’ll add a replica with out deleting it from its authentic location. While you drag the file from the File Tray to the brand new location, the file strikes from the unique place. You possibly can have a number of recordsdata within the Tray, however there’s no strategy to choose a couple of file and transfer them to a location–you should transfer them out of the Tray one after the other.
You possibly can place a number of recordsdata in NotchNook’s File Tray. however when it comes time to take away them, you may’t choose the entire group. It’s essential to click on and drag every file one by one.
You possibly can place a number of recordsdata in NotchNook’s File Tray. however when it comes time to take away them, you may’t choose the entire group. It’s essential to click on and drag every file one by one.
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You possibly can place a number of recordsdata in NotchNook’s File Tray. however when it comes time to take away them, you may’t choose the entire group. It’s essential to click on and drag every file one by one.
Foundry
Foundry
NotchNook has a few issues about it that might make you suppose twice about downloading. The primary is its worth. It’s a $25 single fee for a lifetime license (it’s not clear how lengthy you’ll have the ability to get main software program updates) to be used on as much as 5 Macs. Or you may join a $3 per thirty days subscription to be used on two Macs. There’s additionally a free 48-hour trial with no dedication, and signing up for a subscription plan features a 15-day trial interval. To melt the blow to your pockets, a 35 % low cost coupon can be obtainable for anybody who agrees to publish one thing on X in regards to the software program.
[Update 7/25/24: the developer has posted NotchNook’s privacy policy.] The second curious facet of NotchNook is the dearth of a privateness coverage posted on the developer’s web site. You gained’t discover a disclaimer such as you do in Apple’s App Retailer, so it’s not clear if NotchNook collects information about you and sends it to the developer. It’s a priority, particularly since it’s essential enable NotchNook to achieve entry to delicate information, resembling your Calendar. After I contacted lo.cafe, the developer of NotchNook in regards to the privateness coverage, they stated they’re engaged on a press package to offer that data.
The settings for NotchNook.
Total, NotchNook affords another strategy to entry media controls, your calendar, and AirDrop, although the macOS menu bar and Management Middle already supply methods to get to those controls. Entry redundancy isn’t a foul factor, particularly if it’s accomplished in a non-intrusive manner, and NotchNook does that. You would possibly even choose to entry these options by means of NotchNook–for those who do, then the worth is price it.
In the event you’re not satisfied that NotchNook is for you, however are satisfied {that a} Dynamic Island can be very helpful in your MacBook, a number of different notch utilities can be found you could attempt, although they’re considerably restricted in comparison with NotchNook. MediaMate (€6.99) provides media controls to the notch, and NotchDrop (free) makes use of the notch for AirDrop and a recent-file repository. A number of apps can be utilized to cover or spotlight the notch, too.
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