Replace 8/7/2024: In line with a LinkedIn put up by the developer of NotchNook, a difficulty with the fee platform the developer makes use of prevents gross sales of NotchNook. In case you’re eager about buying this app, you must look forward to updates from the developer. This text initially posted on July 24, 2024.
In case you purchased a brand new MacBook lately, you possible have one with a notch on the prime of the show. As with the cutout on the iPhone, it’s the place the FaceTime digital camera 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 exhibits that it may be performed—the notch on the MacBook generally is 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 loads of potential, however some features 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’ll be able to 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’ll be able to 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’ll be able to 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 transferring 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 screen). It has two features, with the primary being the Nook the place you’ll be able to entry media controls, shortcuts that you simply’ve created within the Shortcuts app, and a Mirror that prompts the FaceTime digital camera so you’ll be able to 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 enjoying, you’ll be able to even use two-finger horizontal swipes to maneuver ahead or again a observe when the cursor is contained in the notch. NotchNook additionally lacks quantity controls.
NotchNook asks for permission to entry features of your knowledge a number of instances. Nevertheless, 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 knowledge.
NotchNook asks for permission to entry features of your knowledge a number of instances. Nevertheless, 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 knowledge.
Foundry
NotchNook asks for permission to entry features of your knowledge a number of instances. Nevertheless, 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 knowledge.
Foundry
Foundry
With the Nook, there’s an choice to substitute your Calendar for the media controls or Shortcuts. Doing this, nonetheless, means you have to grant NotchNook permission to entry your Calendar. In case you’re snug with that (which I’ll increase upon in a bit), you’ll be capable to see the date and any appointments you might have. Swipes to the left and proper change the date within the Calendar timeline so you’ll be able to see different appointments, however you’ll be able to’t launch the Calendar app by way of NotchNook.
The opposite NotchNook operate 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 transferring recordsdata. Drag a doc to the file tray, and it’ll add a duplicate with out deleting it from its authentic location. If you drag the file from the File Tray to the brand new location, the file strikes from the unique place. You’ll be able to have a number of recordsdata within the Tray, however there’s no approach to choose multiple file and transfer them to a location–you have to transfer them out of the Tray one after the other.
You’ll be able to place a number of recordsdata in NotchNook’s File Tray. however when it comes time to take away them, you’ll be able to’t choose the entire group. You could click on and drag every file separately.
You’ll be able to place a number of recordsdata in NotchNook’s File Tray. however when it comes time to take away them, you’ll be able to’t choose the entire group. You could click on and drag every file separately.
Foundry
You’ll be able to place a number of recordsdata in NotchNook’s File Tray. however when it comes time to take away them, you’ll be able to’t choose the entire group. You could click on and drag every file separately.
Foundry
Foundry
NotchNook has a few issues about it that would make you suppose twice about downloading. The primary is its value. It’s a $25 single fee for a lifetime license (it’s not clear how lengthy you’ll be capable to get main software program updates) to be used on as much as 5 Macs. Or you’ll be able to 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 accessible for anybody who agrees to put up one thing on X concerning the software program.
[Update 7/25/24: the developer has posted NotchNook’s privacy policy.] The second curious facet of NotchNook is the shortage 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 knowledge about you and sends it to the developer. It’s a priority, particularly since you’ll want to permit NotchNook to achieve entry to delicate knowledge, equivalent to your Calendar. After I contacted lo.cafe, the developer of NotchNook concerning the privateness coverage, they stated they’re engaged on a press equipment to offer that info.
The settings for NotchNook.
General, NotchNook provides an alternate approach to entry media controls, your calendar, and AirDrop, although the macOS menu bar and Management Heart already supply methods to get to those controls. Entry redundancy isn’t a foul factor, particularly if it’s performed in a non-intrusive method, and NotchNook does that. You would possibly even choose to entry these options by NotchNook–if you happen to do, then the worth is value it.
In case 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.