In the ever-evolving world of technology, Mac users are spoilt for choice regarding applications that can enhance productivity and unleash creative potential. Whether you're a professional content creator, a student looking to optimize your study routine, or someone who wants to get more done efficiently, the Mac App Store offers a treasure trove of tools designed to cater to your needs. Join us as we unveil фиве must-have Mac apps that span the realms of productivity and creativity. These applications are not just functional; they're transformative, breathing new life into your Mac and helping you unlock your full potential.
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Stickies
Stickies are a hidden treasure in your Mac that allows you to create digital Post-its. You may decorate your desktop with these digital sticky notes, offering a paperless alternative to traditional sticky notes. Whether you want to jot down thoughts, reminders, or crucial information, Stickies can hold all that for you.
- Creating a new note. To create a new post-it note on Stickies, press Command-N (⌘N). This will instantly open a blank note where you can jot down your thoughts. The convenience factor doesn't end there; you can drag your Stickies around and adjust their size on your desktop per your preferences.
- Changing the color of notes. The Stickies App has an additional color feature that lets you change the background color of your notes. You can create a color-coding scheme using the command Command-1 to -6, providing you with a rainbow array of colors. This feature can create an organized and visually pleasing collection of Stickies on your desktop.
- Moving notes to the Notes app. Stickies offer flexibility, so if you want to keep your notes across all your devices for later use, you can easily export them to the Notes app. To do this, click File > Export All in Stickies to move them to the Notes app. You can also export a single note to a TXT file to save it separately.
Digital Color Meter
The Digital Color Meter app is an impeccable tool hidden in your Mac, specifically designed for precise color identification. Suppose you're working on a presentation, designing graphics, or doing color-specific tasks. This app can provide an accurate color value of anything on your screen without needing external photo editors.
- Identifying color values. One of the primary functions of the Digital Color Meter is to tell you the exact color value on the screen at any point. It extracts color values on your screen anytime, making it a breeze for color-matching tasks. Simply hover your cursor over the color and get the specific color value. Plus, it comes with helpful keyboard shortcuts that allow you to lock the position (⌘L) and copy the color as text values (⇧⌘C) or as an image (⌥⌘C).
- Different color profiles. Digital Color Meter is adaptable and offers a variety of color profiles. You can conveniently switch between these profiles, like P3 and sRGB, according to your requirements. This flexibility helps cater to a broader range of color-related tasks.
- Locking position and copying color. Not just determining color values, Digital Color Meter also comes with features to lock position and copy colors. If you find a color that you want to use, you can lock the position with a quick keyboard shortcut (⌘L), or if you want to use the color elsewhere, you can copy the color as text values (⇧⌘C) or as an image (⌥⌘C).
Dictionary
The Dictionary app on your Mac is more than just a dictionary. Besides an integrated dictionary function, it also features a thesaurus and a Wikipedia reader. It's a quick way to look up word definitions and synonyms and gain access to comprehensive articles with detailed information.
- Searching for words. Searching for word definitions and synonyms in the Dictionary app is incredibly swift and easy. By pressing Command-Space for Spotlight and typing "dict" (which will likely autocomplete to Dictionary.app), you can instantly access the app. Typing in any word will provide you with its definition and associated information. The speed of this function is unparalleled, faster than opening a new tab in a web browser.
- Reading Wikipedia articles. The Dictionary app is also an excellent place for reading Wikipedia articles. You can access all the inline links, images, tables, and related pages that a standard Wikipedia page hosts. However, the cherry on top is that since you are within the Dictionary app, clicking any word in the article will effortlessly reveal its definition, enriching your reading experience substantially.
Screen Sharing
Screen Sharing is a highly useful but often overlooked app on your Mac. It allows you to remotely control another Mac, which can be highly beneficial if you have multiple Macs in your home or office. With Screen Sharing, you can avoid the hassle of juggling multiple monitors, keyboards, and mice.
Before controlling another Mac remotely, ensure that Screen Sharing is enabled. If you're using a newer Mac, navigate to System Settings > General > Sharing and switch on Screen Sharing. On an older system, the configuration resides in System Preferences > Sharing.
- Connecting to other Macs on the same network. If you're trying to connect to a Mac on the same network, click 'Network' in the sidebar and choose the Mac you want to control. To gain access, you must authenticate with a username and password on the other Mac.
- Connecting to a remote Mac. If you're attempting to connect to a truly remote Mac far across the internet, Screen Sharing can facilitate this, too. However, you must obtain any necessary permissions or access credentials from the intended Mac. Once accepted, you can view and control the other screen from your own. Screen Sharing can also be initiated directly from iMessage, enhancing communication and remote collaboration.
Grapher
Grapher is a powerful yet underused app on your Mac, particularly for those engaged in mathematics or data analysis. Whether diving into algebra calculus or requiring a polar logarithmic graph, Grapher is a reliable tool to turn to. It can handle everything from simple 2D diagrams to complex 3D charts, providing varied units and templates.
- Creating 2D and 3D graphs. In Grapher, you can create both 2D and 3D graphs effortlessly. Input an equation and select from many units and templates to generate your graph. You can also explore mathematical functions such as roots, summations, and integrals by clicking on the ∑ symbol. The ability to generate 3D graphs, in particular, makes Grapher a high-value tool, giving depth to your data, which can aid in data analysis and interpretation.
- Stacking multiple equations. Grapher supports adding multiple equations on the same graph. This feature is handy when comparing two or more datasets or visualizing the correlation among multiple variables. To do this, input the equations you want to compare and instruct Grapher to plot them on the same chart. Coupled with various templates and customization options, the outcome can be visually impressive and insight-rich charts.
