Easy macOS and iOS Tips and Fixes
Brett Terpstra reviews Bartender Pro, a macOS utility that organizes and manages crowded menu bars by moving icons to secondary bars and allowing quick access via search or hotkeys. The new Bartender Pro version introduces “Top Shelf,” a notch dock featuring widgets, clipboard management, and notifications, enhancing usability and stability. It is available via subscription or one-time purchase.
WhatCable is a macOS menu bar app that provides clear diagnostics on USB-C cables, revealing their actual data speeds, charging limits, and connected device details to eliminate guesswork. It decodes USB Power Delivery and e-marker data on Apple Silicon Macs, helping users identify bottlenecks, cable capabilities, and potential issues, with a free version for basic info and an optional Pro upgrade offering advanced live diagnostics and detailed metrics.
MindNode 2026.3 introduces nested folders for better library organization, widgets across all Apple devices including Vision Pro for quick map access, and Document History on iPhone, iPad, and Vision Pro to easily restore previous versions. The update also adds an Outline View on Vision Pro, integration with the Marked app for formatted text previews, and enhancements to the free editor, including new styling options and stickers, making MindNode more accessible and versatile for brainstorming and project management.
Knock is an app that allows users to control their Mac by tapping their MacBook, trackpad, or even their desk via iPhone, triggering shortcuts, apps, and actions instantly. It supports various tap patterns and can perform tasks like muting audio, launching apps, running shortcuts, and executing terminal commands, working on all Macs through trackpad or iPhone input, with native MacBook tapping available on select models.
SuperIsland is a free, open-source app that brings iOS-style Dynamic Island live activities to macOS, integrating notifications, music playback, battery status, calendar events, weather, file transfers, and system controls into the Mac's notch area. It also offers a JavaScript SDK for users to create custom modules easily without requiring compilation or Xcode, enhancing functionality and interactivity on any Mac.
Black Ink 2.4.8 has been released on the Black Ink website and submitted for Mac App Store review, addressing bugs from version 2.4.7 including a crash for non-registered users and issues with the “Mark incorrect answers as they are entered” setting. Users are encouraged to review and rate the app on the Mac App Store or share it on social media.
https://redsweater.com/blog/4276/black-ink-2-4-8-quick-fixes-for-crash-on-launch-and-autocorrect