9 Mac app essentials for ANY Mac user

Summary

In this video, the host celebrates a year on Rotten Apple by introducing nine essential Mac apps designed to enhance productivity and workflow. From Menu Bar Calendar for easy date access, to PopClip for text manipulation, and Winds for advanced window management, each app is carefully selected for its unique contribution to the Mac experience. The host also highlights Raycast for powerful search capabilities, SoundSource for individual app volume control, and CleanShot X for professional screenshot and screen recording features. Additionally, Clop and DropOver are mentioned for file optimization and efficient file management, respectively. The video concludes with a giveaway of CleanShot X licenses to lucky viewers.

Takeaways

• 🎉 The video celebrates one year of 'Rotten Apple' and offers giveaways of Mac apps to viewers.
• 🛠️ The host introduces nine essential Mac apps designed to enhance the user experience and improve workflow.
• 📅 'Menu Bar Calendar' is highlighted as an app that provides a quick view of the month and integrates with the native calendar app for event setting.
• ✂️ 'PopClip' is an app that brings iPhone-like text interaction options to the Mac, allowing for quick cut, copy, and paste actions.
• 🪟 'Winds' is recommended as a window management app with additional features and fluid animations that make it feel more macOS-like.
• 🚀 'Mission Control Plus' is an app that enhances the native Mission Control by allowing users to close apps and windows directly from it.
• 🔍 'Raycast' is a powerful search tool that offers extensive functionality, including searching for files, web content, and controlling other apps.
• 🔊 'SoundSource' gives users granular control over audio output, allowing individual app volume adjustments and sound effect management.
• 📸 'CleanShot X' is a comprehensive screenshot and screen recording tool with annotation, OCR, and various customization options.
• 🗜️ 'Clop' is an app that optimizes file sizes for photos, videos, and PDFs without compromising quality, useful for sharing large files.
• 📁 'DropOver' simplifies file management by allowing users to drag and drop files into a 'shelf' for easy transfer and quick action sharing.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the video?

The purpose of the video is to introduce nine essential Mac apps that can enhance the Mac user experience and workflow, as well as to celebrate a full year on Rotten Apple by giving away some of these apps to viewers.

What is the first app mentioned in the video and what does it do?

The first app mentioned is Menu Bar Calendar, which is a calendar that stays on the menu bar of your Mac, allowing you to view the entire month with one click and set events directly from the menu bar.

How does PopClip enhance the Mac experience?

PopClip enhances the Mac experience by providing options to cut, copy, and paste text with just a highlight, similar to the functionality available on an iPhone, thus saving clicks and increasing efficiency.

What is the main feature of the app Winds?

Winds is a window management app that offers additional features and fluid animations compared to other apps like Magnet and Rectangle. It operates at the system level within the settings app and provides features such as dock window previews and floating split windows.

What does Mission Control Plus do that the standard Mission Control in macOS does not?

Mission Control Plus allows users to close apps and windows directly from Mission Control, a feature not available in the standard Mission Control on macOS.

What is unique about Raycast compared to Spotlight?

Raycast is a more powerful search tool on Mac, offering not only file search but also a built-in store full of extensions that allow users to find anything they want, including the ability to search the web, music platforms, and perform various other tasks.

What does SoundSource allow users to do with their Mac's audio?

SoundSource allows users to adjust the volume of every app that outputs audio on their Mac individually, as well as control general output and input volumes and sound effects.

What are some of the features of CleanShot X for screenshot and screen recording?

CleanShot X offers features such as taking multiple screenshots with a quick access overlay, built-in annotation tools, corner rounding, OCR text capture, scrolling screenshot capture, self-timer for screenshots, pinning images, hiding desktop icons during recording, and video recording with trimming capabilities.

What is the giveaway mentioned in the video and how can viewers participate?

The giveaway involves three free app licenses for CleanShot X. Viewers can participate by liking the video, leaving a comment on the app they are most interested in from the video, and providing their social media handle, while also following the creator.

What is Clop and how does it help with file sharing?

Clop is an app that optimizes files to the smallest possible size without losing quality, making it easier to share photos, videos, and PDFs, especially when dealing with file size restrictions.

What is the main functionality of DropOver?

DropOver allows users to move any number of files from one place to another by dragging and dropping them into a shelf, which stays there until further use, providing quick action sharing and simplifying file management.

Outlines

00:00

📅 Essential Mac Apps for Enhanced Workflow

The video introduces nine essential Mac apps designed to improve user experience and workflow. The presenter, a self-proclaimed Mac app connoisseur, highlights apps that run in the background and become invaluable when needed. The video also celebrates the channel's first anniversary with a giveaway of one of the featured apps to lucky viewers. The apps mentioned include Menu Bar Calendar for easy access to the month's layout, PopClip for quick text manipulation, and Winds for improved window management with fluid animations. The presenter emphasizes the apps' efficiency and integration with macOS design, suggesting they are worth the investment despite being mostly paid apps without subscription options.

05:01

🔊 Sound Control and Advanced Screenshot Tools for Mac

This paragraph delves into apps that offer advanced control over Mac's audio and screenshot functionalities. SoundSource is introduced as an app that allows individual volume control for each app, as well as general output and input volume adjustments. The paragraph also features CleanShot X, a powerful screenshot tool that enhances productivity with features like quick access overlay, annotation, corner rounding, OCR text capture, and scrolling screenshot capabilities. Additionally, the presenter discusses file optimization with Clop, which compresses files without quality loss, and DropOver, which simplifies file management through a drag-and-drop interface. The paragraph concludes with a call to action for viewers to share their thoughts on the apps and participate in the giveaway, emphasizing the support from Patreon and the appreciation for the viewers' engagement.

Keywords

💡Mac app connoisseur

A 'Mac app connoisseur' refers to someone who is highly knowledgeable and discerning about applications designed for Apple's Mac computers. In the video's context, the speaker positions themselves as an expert in recommending Mac applications, suggesting they have a deep understanding and appreciation for apps that enhance the Mac user experience.

💡Menu Bar Calendar

Menu Bar Calendar is an application mentioned in the script that resides in the menu bar of a Mac, providing a quick and easy way to view and manage the calendar. It exemplifies the type of utility apps discussed in the video, designed to improve workflow by offering at-a-glance information and functionality without taking up much screen space.

💡PopClip

PopClip is a utility software for Mac that replicates the context menu functionality found on iPhones, allowing users to cut, copy, and paste text directly from the desktop. It represents the video's theme of enhancing Mac productivity by bridging the gap between iOS and macOS features.

💡Window management

Window management in the context of the video refers to the organization and manipulation of open windows on a Mac to optimize screen space and workflow. The script mentions apps like Magnet and Winds that facilitate this by allowing users to easily arrange and snap windows into place.

💡Winds

Winds is a window management app for Mac that is highlighted for its additional features and fluid animations compared to other similar apps. It represents the script's focus on apps that not only provide functionality but also enhance the aesthetic experience of using macOS.

💡Mission Control Plus

Mission Control Plus is an app mentioned in the script that enhances the default Mission Control feature of macOS by allowing users to close apps and windows directly from the Mission Control overview. It exemplifies the video's theme of apps that address perceived shortcomings in macOS to improve user efficiency.

💡Raycast

Raycast is a search tool for Mac that is positioned as a more powerful alternative to Spotlight. It allows users to search for files and perform various tasks through extensions, showcasing the video's focus on apps that offer extensive customization and integration with other services.

💡SoundSource

SoundSource is an application that provides advanced audio control on Mac, allowing users to adjust the volume of individual apps and system sounds. It is highlighted in the script as an essential app for Mac users, emphasizing the video's theme of apps that offer detailed control over system functions.

💡CleanShot X

CleanShot X is a screenshot and screen recording tool for Mac that offers advanced features like annotations, OCR text capture, and scrolling screenshot capabilities. It is used in the script to illustrate the theme of apps that transform basic computer functions into more sophisticated and user-friendly processes.

💡Clop

Clop is an app mentioned in the script that optimizes the size of files, such as photos, videos, and PDFs, without compromising quality. It is an example of the video's focus on apps that solve common problems, like file size limitations, in an efficient and user-friendly manner.

💡DropOver

DropOver is a file management app that simplifies the process of moving files by using a 'shelf' where files can be temporarily stored and then easily dragged to their destination. It represents the video's theme of apps that save time and streamline tasks within the Mac environment.

Highlights

Introduction to nine essential Mac apps for enhancing the Mac workflow experience.

Announcement of a giveaway to celebrate a full year on Rotten Apple.

Menu Bar Calendar app for quick access to the entire month's layout right from the menu bar.

PopClip app allows cut, copy, and paste functionalities similar to iPhone text selection on Mac.

Winds app for improved window management with fluid animations and additional features.

Mission Control Plus app enables closing apps and windows directly from Mission Control.

Raycast app as a powerful alternative to Spotlight with a wide range of search capabilities and extensions.

SoundSource app for individual volume control of every app that outputs audio on Mac.

CleanShot X app for professional screenshot and screen recording with various editing tools.

Clop app for optimizing files to the smallest size without losing quality for photos, videos, and PDFs.

DropOver app for efficient file management by moving files through a drag-and-drop interface.

The importance of these apps in improving productivity and workflow for Mac users.

Invitation for viewers to share their thoughts on the chosen apps and suggestions for more content.

Acknowledgment of Patreon supporters and the CleanShotX giveaway.

Reflection on the first year of Rotten Apple and gratitude towards the viewers.

A call to action for viewers to follow for more content and support.

Transcripts

(upbeat music)

- Sup, Rotten.

I have a Mac, you have a Mac.

And as a Mac app connoisseur,

who better than me to put you onto nine apps

I deem essential to the Mac workflow?

These apps are designed to lay low in the background

until you need them and then remember,

wow, this short maid blowing $2,000 on this thing,

totally worth it.

And guess what?

To celebrate a full year on Rotten Apple,

I'm a sweeten the deal by giving one of these fantastic Mac

apps to a few lucky people watching.

And don't worry, it's not first come first serve.

So you don't have to skip ahead on this video

or anything to participate.

So sit back, relax.

And let me put you on a nine Mac apps

to enhance your Mac experience.

Cherry picked by yours truly.

None of these apps are subscriptions,

but most of them are paid.

So I aim to leave free alternatives

that maybe aren't as good,

but can get the job done for the most part.

Now let's get into it.

I don't know about you guys,

but I'm constantly wondering what day it is,

how far am I into the week

and what day falls where into the month?

Well, it's a good thing this app exists

called Menu Bar Calendar.

And as the name suggests,

it's a calendar that stays on your menu bar.

With one click,

you can get the entire month laid out before you.

And when clicking on a day,

it automatically opens the calendar app

where you can set events if need be.

It's simple, effective and enhancing.

Now I'm aware that the Mac and the iPhone

support very different OSs

that are tailor made to both respective devices

for ease of use and optimization and all those words.

But that doesn't mean these devices can't share features.

Do you know when you highlight text on an iPhone,

you're given options or whether to copy the text, et cetera?

Well, thanks to PopClip,

you can now do that on your Mac.

That's right.

With PopClip, you can cut, copy and paste

by just highlighting the text or area you want.

It saves you a few clicks,

which can add up over time and is very efficient.

This app grants just another feature

that I feel like should just be built into macOS.

Speaking of which,

another feature macOS desperately needs

is better window management.

That's definitely one thing

I feel like Windows still takes the crown on.

Fortunately for us,

there are a ton of apps out there to help out with that.

I'm sure a lot of you have already heard of Magnet

and I still highly recommend it.

But there's another app out there that I use

that's like Magnet with a little more personality.

And the app is called Winds.

Winds can do what apps like Magnet and Rectangle do,

but with a few more features and fluid animation.

In case it wasn't super obvious,

I'm a big fan of macOS' design and animations

and this app makes it feel all the more macOS-like.

With the fluidity, it adds to window management.

Not only that,

but it's the only window management app I've seen

to operate on the system level,

resting right in your settings app rather than the menu bar.

It also gives dock window previews,

floating split windows for quick arrangement,

an option to shake your current window

to hide all the ones behind it,

which is a feature I use more than I thought I would.

It's a window manager that does more.

So I just never looked back.

Just like anyone else,

I tend to lose track of how many apps

and finder windows I have open

and it can feel a bit overwhelming at times.

Well, macOS has this feature called Mission Control,

where you can see everything you have open.

The problem is that you have to manually enter each window

to exit them rather than exiting them from Mission Control.

Dumb, I know.

Thankfully, there's an app called Mission Control Plus

that literally does one thing and one thing only.

With it active, you can now close the apps

and windows in Mission Control.

Yes, I know, fascinating.

It does do that one thing well though.

Now, if you're a Mac user,

chances are you use Spotlight to navigate

and find files throughout your computer.

If you're a mega nerd,

you probably use an alternative like Alfred,

but there's a newer app on the scene called Raycast

that I think you should take a look at.

Spotlight is cool and all,

but Raycast is just a more powerful search tool on Mac

in just about every way.

Not only can you find any file on your Mac with ease,

but it has a built-in store full of extensions

you can download to make it find anything you want, period.

You can search Google through it,

search for music on Spotify,

search for definitions and synonyms,

translate languages, do math and conversions,

set timers, shut down and restart, make snippets,

save clipboard history, even play snake.

And I'm only scratching the surface

on what Raycast can truly do.

You can even control and activate features

from other apps you have installed right through Raycast,

like Slack, Zoom, Google Chrome, Arc, Notion,

and even Apple Notes.

The list is endless.

I can't stress this enough.

Download this free app and take a look for yourself.

I will never be able to do it justice.

Painted Subscription gives you access to custom themes,

cloud sync and AI features as well, by the way.

A truly insane app.

This app is hands down one of the apps

that is needed on every Mac, no exaggeration.

And that is SoundSource.

SoundSource is essentially your Mac's sound control.

Sometimes just controlling your overall Mac volume

doesn't cut it.

Maybe there's an app in particular that you're using

that's just way louder than your other ones.

Thanks to SoundSource, you can adjust the volume

of every app that outputs audio on your Mac

and control their volume individually.

You can even manipulate your general output

and input volumes, as well as the sound effects

your very Mac makes.

When it comes to Mac audio,

no developer quite does it like Rogue Amoeba.

Fun fact, they're the ones responsible

for being able to share audio on your Mac

while screen sharing on Discord.

It's their software that makes it possible.

They also make a bunch of other cool apps

that some of you might find familiar, so shout out to them.

Now, to the average Joe, screen-shotting and capturing

would seem like something you can just do on your computer,

but CleanShot X truly makes it an art.

You can take multiple screenshots

and have them appear in your quick access overlay.

And then from there, you can make your screenshots pop

with its built-in annotation tool,

as well as round its corners and make a cool background

to make it clean and easy on the eyes.

Who knew you could make your screenshots so professional?

Not only that, but it can screenshot a specific app window

and capture scrolling screenshots for those long texts

and websites that don't quite fit your screen.

It uses OCR to be able to capture text

and have it automatically copied to your clipboard,

a self-timer for timed screenshots.

You can pin your images and even hide your desktop icons

while recording or in general as the cherry on top.

Oh, did I mention that it also screen and window records?

And you can adjust what you want and don't wanna be shown.

It can proceed to trim your recording to your liking

'cause it does that too.

Or if you just want all of your options in front of you

before you do anything, it has an all-in-one feature.

This app has truly thought of it all.

Now, one drawback one can argue with is its price,

which is a one-time fee of $29 that gives you the full app

plus one year of free updates,

which is a payment method I prefer over subscriptions

any day of the week.

It's a terrific app that I think is worth the money,

but I can understand that some people

don't really have it like that, like yours truly.

Thankfully, the kind folk over at CleanShotX

has given me three free app licenses

to give to you lucky viewers.

One will be preserved exclusively

for my paying subscribers over at Patreon,

while the other two, I will give away to random viewers

who follow these steps.

So listen closely.

Like the video, leave a comment on the app

that you're most interested in

that was featured in this very video

followed by your social media handle.

Make sure that you're also following me,

not because you think I'm dope,

but also so I can DM you if you're chosen.

That's it.

This video isn't sponsored by the way.

They're just very cool.

And if you are thinking about getting it yourself,

there's a link in the description that I get kicked back on.

We're not done with the apps though,

so let's keep it going.

Let's just say you did record something with CleanShotX

or you grabbed the video from online

that you wanna show your friends on Discord or something,

but you can't because the file is too big.

We've all been there and it stings every time, doesn't it?

Well, good thing we have an app called Clop to the rescue.

Clop will optimize your file

to the smallest possible size it can

without losing quality.

And it does it for photos, videos, and PDFs.

There's a couple of ways to activate Clop,

but what I do personally is right click, click services,

and click optimize with Clop.

And your file is magically way smaller in size

with your quality still intact.

There's honestly no way you don't believe in magic

after using this app.

It's actually insane.

And last but not least,

an app I can see benefiting anyone

who moves multiple files around constantly is DropOver.

DropOver can move any number of your files

from one place to another if you're choosing

by just dragging and dropping them

into this thing called a shelf

where it stays there until further use.

It's really that simple.

You can adjust the sensitivity of it picking up

on your drags in the settings

and drag just about anything into a shelf,

including images you see online.

The shelf also brings many options in on itself.

It provides quick action sharing for even more ease of use.

This one is a definite no-brainer

when it comes to file management time-saving.

I guarantee it.

So those are my nine essential Mac apps

that can improve any Mac user's productivity and workflow.

Do you agree with my choices

or would you like me to do more?

Let me know in the comments.

Shout out to my Rotten Pro patrons,

Vasco and France Quebec for supporting me on Patreon.

All supporting links will be in the description below.

Also, thanks to CleanshotX for making my giveaway possible.

And I would like to thank you viewers

for making this first year something I'll never forget.

Here's to another year of Rotten Apple.

Thanks for watching.

And if you want to see more of me, you know what to do.

Ah, my first year of Rotten Apple.

We take one small step today,

then we take the world tomorrow.

(laughs)

Thanks for the support, guys.

(upbeat music)

[BEEP]