10 FREE Mac Apps I Regret Not Using Sooner
TLDRThis video script introduces ten free Mac applications that can enhance productivity and user experience. 'Today' offers a simple way to view and manage your schedule from the menu bar. Shottr is a powerful screenshot tool with annotation features and the ability to measure distances or copy color codes. QuietReader provides a distraction-free reading environment by isolating text and images from cluttered websites. Command X allows for cutting and pasting files as on Windows, while AltTab simplifies switching between open app windows. Shazam for Mac identifies songs playing nearby and offers quick access with keyboard shortcuts. MacMouseFix enables trackpad-like gestures for third-party mice, and PurePaste ensures pasted text retains the destination's format. OneThing serves as a digital sticky note for quick reminders, and Latest consolidates updates for all apps in one place. The script also mentions a video series for more useful Mac apps.
Takeaways
- 📅 The 'Today' app allows you to view and manage your schedule directly from the menu bar, integrating seamlessly with your default Calendar app and offering customization options.
- 📸 Shottr is a powerful screenshot tool that lives in the menu bar, offering extensive annotation features and even the ability to measure distances or copy color codes.
- 📚 QuietReader is an app that helps you read articles distraction-free on the internet by presenting only essential text and images, with customization options for text size and colors.
- ✂️ Command X is an app that emulates the Windows 'cut and paste' functionality, allowing you to move files on your Mac using the Command and X shortcut.
- 🔄 AltTab brings the Windows-style app and window switching to Mac, enabling you to view and switch between open windows of all apps with a simple keyboard shortcut.
- 🎵 Shazam for Mac resides in the menu bar and can identify songs playing around you or from your Mac speakers, with features like One Click Shazaming and keyboard shortcuts for power users.
- 🖱️ MacMouseFix enables you to use trackpad-like gestures on third-party mice, customizing actions for different mouse buttons and even adding keyboard shortcuts as actions.
- 📋 PurePaste is a menu bar app that helps you paste text as plain text, without any formatting from the source, and offers options to customize keyboard shortcuts and preserve links.
- 🔖 OneThing is a simple menu bar app that acts as a digital sticky note, allowing you to store a word or short snippet of text for easy access and visibility.
- 🔄 Latest is an app that consolidates updates for all your Mac apps, including those not from the App Store, making it easy to check for and install updates with a single click.
- 📚 For more useful Mac apps, consider watching the Mac apps video series, which features additional tools that can enhance your productivity and user experience on a Mac.
Q & A
What is the primary function of the 'Today' app?
-The 'Today' app allows users to view their schedule directly from the menu bar without opening the Calendar app, and it integrates with any default Calendar app. It also offers customization options and quick access to events and video call meetings.
How does Shottr differentiate itself from other free screenshot apps?
-Shottr stands out by offering extensive annotation options, including cropping, adding arrows, shapes, text, and highlighting. It also provides unique features like on-screen rulers for measuring distances and copying hex color codes, which are particularly useful for graphic designers.
What is the main advantage of using the QuietReader app?
-QuietReader helps users read articles distraction-free by presenting only the essential text and images, removing all ads, notifications, and other background elements, allowing for a focused reading experience.
How does the Command X app mimic the Windows file cutting functionality on a Mac?
-Command X allows users to cut files by copying and deleting them in one location and then pasting them in another, similar to the functionality of the Command X shortcut on Windows.
What feature does AltTab provide that is not available by default on a Mac?
-AltTab provides an overview of all currently open apps and their respective windows, allowing users to switch between them with ease, which is not a default feature on a Mac.
How does the Shazam app for Mac differ from its iPhone counterpart in terms of accessibility?
-The Mac version of Shazam is conveniently located in the menu bar, allowing for effortless identification of songs playing around the user or directly from the Mac speakers, similar to the iPhone version but with the added convenience of menu bar access.
What does MacMouseFix enable users to do with a third-party mouse on a Mac?
-MacMouseFix allows users to customize actions for different buttons on a third-party mouse, enabling gestures and shortcuts similar to those available on a Mac trackpad.
How does PurePaste help with pasting text from one source to another?
-PurePaste lives in the menu bar and can be set to automatically clear the formatting of copied text, allowing users to paste text as plain text without any hyperlinks or the formatting style of the source.
What is the purpose of the OneThing app?
-OneThing serves as a digital equivalent of sticky notes, allowing users to type any word or short snippet of text into the menu bar for easy visibility and quick note-taking.
How does the Latest app help with managing app updates on a Mac?
-Latest checks if all apps are up to date and provides a quick overview of changes, enabling users to update them all at once, including apps from the AppStore and other sources.
What is the benefit of using keyboard shortcuts in the context of the apps mentioned in the script?
-Keyboard shortcuts offer a faster and more efficient way to perform actions within the apps, such as capturing screenshots, accessing reader views, and managing app windows, enhancing the user's productivity.
Outlines
🖥️ Essential Free Mac Apps for Enhanced Productivity
The video segment introduces several free Mac applications designed to enhance productivity and streamline tasks. 'Today' is featured as a convenient tool for accessing calendar schedules directly from the menu bar, offering integrations with default calendar apps, customization options, and quick access to video calls and events. 'Shottr' is highlighted for its superior screenshot capabilities compared to other free apps, including extensive annotation options, color hex code identification, and features to blur or erase confidential information. 'QuietReader' is praised for its ability to create distraction-free environments for reading on the internet, with customizable text and background settings. Additionally, 'Command X' and 'AltTab' are discussed as useful tools for mimicking beloved Windows features on Mac, like file cutting and switching between app windows.
🎵 Enhance Your Mac Experience with Specialized Apps
This segment covers a variety of specialized Mac apps designed to improve everyday functionality. 'Shazam' for Mac is introduced for its ability to identify songs directly from the Mac menu bar. 'MacMouseFix' allows customization of third-party mouse buttons to perform Mac trackpad gestures. 'PurePaste' helps maintain formatting consistency when pasting text, and 'OneThing' serves as a digital sticky note in the menu bar for quick reminders. The video also discusses 'Latest,' an app that consolidates updates for all installed applications, simplifying maintenance. Each app is tailored to address specific needs and enhance the Mac user's workflow, and they are all available for free, enhancing their accessibility and utility.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Today
💡Shottr
💡QuietReader
💡Command X
💡AltTab
💡Shazam
💡MacMouseFix
💡PurePaste
💡OneThing
💡Latest
Highlights
Today app allows viewing your schedule from the menu bar without opening the Calendar app.
Today integrates seamlessly with any default Calendar app and offers a simple interface.
Quick access to events and the ability to create new events directly from the Today app.
Directly join video calls from the Today app with a single click.
Customization options in Today include changing the menu bar icon and choosing which calendars to display.
Shottr is a superior free screenshot app with extensive annotation features.
Shottr allows for easy screen capture and offers tools for cropping, adding arrows, shapes, text, and highlighting.
Unique features in Shottr include a ruler for measuring on-screen distances and copying color codes.
Shottr provides options to blur confidential parts of a screenshot and erase unwanted text.
QuietReader offers a distraction-free reading experience by presenting only essential text and images.
Customization in QuietReader includes changing text size, text and background color.
Command X app enables the Windows-style file cutting and pasting functionality on Mac.
AltTab allows for easy switching between open app windows and offers customization options.
Shazam for Mac identifies songs playing around you and offers one-click Shazaming.
MacMouseFix enables trackpad-like gestures on third-party mice for Mac.
PurePaste automatically clears formatting from copied text for a plain text paste.
OneThing is a simple app for storing short text snippets or notes in the menu bar.
Latest app consolidates updates for all your Mac apps, including those not on the AppStore, into one place.