MenuBar Pets – Animated characters that live in your menubar, not on your desktop Lifetime
https://reddit.com/link/1t5pu0c/video/g699d7lc0lzg1/player
Problem: Every desktop pet app drops characters onto your wallpaper where they vanish behind windows. MenuBar Pets puts them in the menubar — always visible, never in the way.
Comparison: Unlike Desktop Pets or Wunderbucket, these characters use lightweight WebP animations that are easy on your CPU. You can also make them clickable — link any pet to an app, URL, or Shortcut. Custom hanging characters are supported too.
Pricing: Free · $4.99 one-time IAP for extra characters & features
Mac App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menubar-pets/id6766222004?mt=12
https://redd.it/1t5pu0c
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https://reddit.com/link/1t5pu0c/video/g699d7lc0lzg1/player
Problem: Every desktop pet app drops characters onto your wallpaper where they vanish behind windows. MenuBar Pets puts them in the menubar — always visible, never in the way.
Comparison: Unlike Desktop Pets or Wunderbucket, these characters use lightweight WebP animations that are easy on your CPU. You can also make them clickable — link any pet to an app, URL, or Shortcut. Custom hanging characters are supported too.
Pricing: Free · $4.99 one-time IAP for extra characters & features
Mac App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menubar-pets/id6766222004?mt=12
https://redd.it/1t5pu0c
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Reddit
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[OS] Loop: A free, open-source radial window manager that actually feels native
I spend a lot of time on this sub finding niche utilities, and I’ve been testing **Loop** for my explorer’s log, **Silicon Thread**. It’s built by MrKai77 and operates on a highly visual radial menu system instead of just hotkeys.
**Problem:** Standard window management usually involves memorizing complex keyboard shortcuts or relying on clunky screen-edge snapping that breaks your flow.
**The Solution (How it works):**
* **The Radial Workflow:** Hold a trigger key (I use fn), and a circular menu pops up directly under your cursor. Flick your mouse in a direction, release, and the window snaps perfectly.
* **Performance:** It’s a native Swift app, so it’s incredibly lightweight and fast on Apple Silicon.
**Comparison:** It's a free, open-source alternative to paid or subscription-based tools like Magnet or Swish, but with a much more "cursor-centric" approach.
**Pricing:** Completely Free & Open Source ($0).
**Links:**
* **My Technical Review:** [https://siliconthread.civicease.systems/](https://siliconthread.civicease.systems/)
**Transparency:** I’m an independent explorer sharing my personal experience with the app. I have no financial affiliation with the developer; I just appreciate well-built indie software.
If you know a macos app that is worth trying, let me know in comments. Will try that : )
And if you are interested please leave a like and comment on LinkedIn it help a lot as a starting blog page creator with personal reviews.
Edited (latest) had forgotten to add repo link instead added it to the website 😅
Here's Loop's GitHub link as well: [https://github.com/MrKai77/Loop](https://github.com/MrKai77/Loop)
Or if you simply want to download the latest release, download Loop.zip here: [https://github.com/MrKai77/Loop/releases/latest](https://github.com/MrKai77/Loop/releases/latest)
https://redd.it/1t5z30h
@macappsbackup
I spend a lot of time on this sub finding niche utilities, and I’ve been testing **Loop** for my explorer’s log, **Silicon Thread**. It’s built by MrKai77 and operates on a highly visual radial menu system instead of just hotkeys.
**Problem:** Standard window management usually involves memorizing complex keyboard shortcuts or relying on clunky screen-edge snapping that breaks your flow.
**The Solution (How it works):**
* **The Radial Workflow:** Hold a trigger key (I use fn), and a circular menu pops up directly under your cursor. Flick your mouse in a direction, release, and the window snaps perfectly.
* **Performance:** It’s a native Swift app, so it’s incredibly lightweight and fast on Apple Silicon.
**Comparison:** It's a free, open-source alternative to paid or subscription-based tools like Magnet or Swish, but with a much more "cursor-centric" approach.
**Pricing:** Completely Free & Open Source ($0).
**Links:**
* **My Technical Review:** [https://siliconthread.civicease.systems/](https://siliconthread.civicease.systems/)
**Transparency:** I’m an independent explorer sharing my personal experience with the app. I have no financial affiliation with the developer; I just appreciate well-built indie software.
If you know a macos app that is worth trying, let me know in comments. Will try that : )
And if you are interested please leave a like and comment on LinkedIn it help a lot as a starting blog page creator with personal reviews.
Edited (latest) had forgotten to add repo link instead added it to the website 😅
Here's Loop's GitHub link as well: [https://github.com/MrKai77/Loop](https://github.com/MrKai77/Loop)
Or if you simply want to download the latest release, download Loop.zip here: [https://github.com/MrKai77/Loop/releases/latest](https://github.com/MrKai77/Loop/releases/latest)
https://redd.it/1t5z30h
@macappsbackup
Silicon Thread
Silicon Thread — Curating Mac Apps from Independent Builders
Silicon Thread discovers and reviews under-the-radar Mac apps built by independent developers. Bridging the gap between solo Reddit builders and Mac power users.
PSA Cosmiq Store is not an authorized reseller of Mac apps
I was just notified by a user who bought a license for my Lunar app at a discount on Cosmiq Store.
Whoever is behind that website is doing something illegal, they don't have a contract with me, and I'm pretty sure that is the same for every other app on their website.
They don't state who is behind the website, the Terms of use is a generic text sounding like this:
>Compliance and Legality
>
>Cosmiq aims to provide licenses sourced through legitimate channels, but software licensing rules can vary by product, region, and intended use.
>
>You are responsible for reviewing the official product terms and ensuring your purchase and use comply with applicable laws and license restrictions in your jurisdiction.
That is not how this works, the terms need to state the legal entity and actual country jurisdiction.
I'm not entirely sure how they do the discount. They might simply be buying licenses on their own, and reselling seats one by one, or they might be buying with a student discount. In any case, that's prohibited by most dev's terms of use.
Did other devs stumble upon this?
https://redd.it/1t66qvo
@macappsbackup
I was just notified by a user who bought a license for my Lunar app at a discount on Cosmiq Store.
Whoever is behind that website is doing something illegal, they don't have a contract with me, and I'm pretty sure that is the same for every other app on their website.
They don't state who is behind the website, the Terms of use is a generic text sounding like this:
>Compliance and Legality
>
>Cosmiq aims to provide licenses sourced through legitimate channels, but software licensing rules can vary by product, region, and intended use.
>
>You are responsible for reviewing the official product terms and ensuring your purchase and use comply with applicable laws and license restrictions in your jurisdiction.
That is not how this works, the terms need to state the legal entity and actual country jurisdiction.
I'm not entirely sure how they do the discount. They might simply be buying licenses on their own, and reselling seats one by one, or they might be buying with a student discount. In any case, that's prohibited by most dev's terms of use.
Did other devs stumble upon this?
https://redd.it/1t66qvo
@macappsbackup
Lunar - The defacto app for controlling monitor brightness
Control monitor brightness, adapt using the ambient light sensor, adjust volume, switch inputs and turn off displays without fiddling with clunky buttons.
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ChessUnlock: Forces you to solve a chess puzzle to access your Mac
https://redd.it/1t6ekb8
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https://redd.it/1t6ekb8
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iCloud Custom Email - Opinions?
I've used Google Workspace since it as Google Apps in 2004, but I'd like to use the Apple Mail app and it is notoriously awful with Gmail. Not its fault, as Gmail is not true IMAP and I understand why Apple Mail has issues. Push notifications are not possible with Gmail, and waiting 15 minutes for updates is untenable for my use case.
If I switch from Google Workspace to Apple Custom Domain Email, how disappointed am I going to be? I can deal with the little things, like it goes to the same inbox as my iCloud.com email, but that's not a problem as I never use it and haven't gotten two emails there in the past two years. But how much worse is spam filtering if I'm using iCloud Custom Email. I know it won't be a good at filtering as Gmail, but is it at least tolerable? Thanks!
https://redd.it/1t6gnb0
@macappsbackup
I've used Google Workspace since it as Google Apps in 2004, but I'd like to use the Apple Mail app and it is notoriously awful with Gmail. Not its fault, as Gmail is not true IMAP and I understand why Apple Mail has issues. Push notifications are not possible with Gmail, and waiting 15 minutes for updates is untenable for my use case.
If I switch from Google Workspace to Apple Custom Domain Email, how disappointed am I going to be? I can deal with the little things, like it goes to the same inbox as my iCloud.com email, but that's not a problem as I never use it and haven't gotten two emails there in the past two years. But how much worse is spam filtering if I'm using iCloud Custom Email. I know it won't be a good at filtering as Gmail, but is it at least tolerable? Thanks!
https://redd.it/1t6gnb0
@macappsbackup
Icloud
Log in to iCloud to access your photos, mail, notes, documents and more. Sign in with your Apple Account or create a new account to start using Apple services.
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This community really really helped shaping AskMeety from day one. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who was part of this journey 🥹
https://redd.it/1t6gm34
@macappsbackup
https://redd.it/1t6gm34
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Pearcleaner homebrew not working?
Anyone using Pearcleaner having any issues installing or updating homebrew apps.
https://redd.it/1t6mtvp
@macappsbackup
Anyone using Pearcleaner having any issues installing or updating homebrew apps.
https://redd.it/1t6mtvp
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Reddit
From the macapps community on Reddit
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Workspace/Project Manager Suggestions
Hello! I recently started developing my own personal projects and have run into a frustrating issue: constantly reopening windows, navigating to folders in terminals, and repeating the same setup steps every time I switch between projects. I've been managing everything in a ProjectReadMe file, but I've quickly outgrown that approach. Does anyone have suggestions for a better solution? I know there are a few apps out there, but I'd love to hear what you're actually using and recommend.
https://redd.it/1t6sgz4
@macappsbackup
Hello! I recently started developing my own personal projects and have run into a frustrating issue: constantly reopening windows, navigating to folders in terminals, and repeating the same setup steps every time I switch between projects. I've been managing everything in a ProjectReadMe file, but I've quickly outgrown that approach. Does anyone have suggestions for a better solution? I know there are a few apps out there, but I'd love to hear what you're actually using and recommend.
https://redd.it/1t6sgz4
@macappsbackup
Reddit
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Raycast vs Alfred vs Spotlight after Tahoe — what this sub often gets wrong about launchers vs FAF, Cling, EasyFind & HoudahSpot
https://redd.it/1t6wz22
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https://redd.it/1t6wz22
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Reddit
From the macapps community on Reddit: Raycast vs Alfred vs Spotlight after Tahoe — what this sub often gets wrong about launchers…
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