I’m still using an iPhone 12 Pro, so I haven’t had much chance to experience the Dynamic Island feature firsthand. However, I recently discovered an app called NotchNook that brings a similar pill-shaped notch utility to my Mac instead. This app has the potential to significantly enhance how I interact with my Apple computers, offering a fresh and innovative way to streamline my workflow.
At Digital Trends, I’m not the only one intrigued by NotchNook. My colleague also appreciated the concept when it was first announced. The app’s idea is quite straightforward: when you hover your mouse pointer over your MacBook’s notch, it slightly expands. By clicking the notch or performing a two-finger swipe downward, the notch expands further to reveal a black box—referred to as the “nook”—which contains controls for various apps and tasks.
Curious to see if this app could transform the often-irritating notch into a valuable feature, I decided to give it a try and assess whether it lives up to its promise as a must-have Mac app.
Widgets and workflows
By default, NotchNook offers a streamlined set of controls to enhance your experience. On the left side of the nook, you’ll find a “now playing” widget that integrates seamlessly with either Spotify or Apple Music. In the center, workflows from Apple’s Shortcuts app are readily accessible for quick execution. On the right, there’s a convenient button to toggle your MacBook’s front-facing webcam, a feature NotchNook refers to as the “mirror” control.”
You can now add Live Activities to the notch on your iPhone, allowing you to see real-time information from apps you’re currently using, even while the notch remains in its compact size. For instance, with the Spotify Live Activity, you can view a miniature album cover and a dynamic graphic of your music’s audio levels right in the notch. This feature lets you play or pause your music without needing to expand the notch, making it easy and convenient to control your media on the go.
The app provides extensive customization options, allowing you to tailor it to your needs. You can replace the default widgets with a calendar, and additional features like notes, to-dos, and “quick apps” are on the way. Each widget can be repositioned and resized within NotchNook, offering flexibility to fit more or less content into the app’s layout. While the current drag-and-drop functionality for widget placement would enhance the user experience by eliminating the need for repetitive clicks, the app is off to a promising start.
NotchNook offers a high level of customization beyond just widget changes. You can easily add or remove dividers between widgets, adjust their size and padding, and modify the app’s transparency and height. With these options, you have extensive control over NotchNook’s appearance and layout, allowing you to tailor the app to fit your preferences perfectly.
The Files Tray
One of the standout features of NotchNook is its versatile tray. This handy tool becomes accessible when you drag a file from the Finder over the nook. You’ll be presented with two options: Files Tray and AirDrop.
Dropping your file into the Files Tray keeps it readily accessible, allowing you to easily move it to another app or Finder window, even across different desktops or spaces. To remove a file from the tray, simply hover over it and click the small X in the top-right corner. Alternatively, dragging your file into the AirDrop area opens the sharing window, making it effortless to send files to others.
The Files Tray is proving to be a valuable tool, even with its current limitation of just two options. However, the developer of NotchNook has exciting updates on the horizon. Soon, users will be able to zip and unzip files, as well as compress images, simply by dragging and dropping them into the tray. These upcoming features promise to enhance the functionality and convenience of the Files Tray.
NotchNook features a tool called “pipelines,” which is similar to a function found in BetterTouchTool. As one of the top Mac apps available, BetterTouchTool enhances your trackpad gestures, window management, and user interface controls. Notably, it also allows you to create custom mini-apps and widgets that integrate with the notch. One of its standout features is a drop zone tool that converts files dropped into it. If NotchNook can offer comparable capabilities, it promises to be a valuable addition to your Mac setup.
Looking and feeling great
NotchNook stands out with its engaging animations that enhance user experience. When you hover over the notch, it gently pulses outward, accompanied by a subtle drop shadow that makes it feel more dynamic on your display. Upon opening, the notch expands and then smoothly bounces back into its original shape. When you move your mouse away, the notch quickly returns to its previous form, ensuring it stays out of your way when not needed. This attention to detail extends throughout the app; for example, when you start playing a song, the notch’s edges elegantly extend outward to integrate with Live Activities. These thoughtful animations add a layer of polish and make the app both functional and enjoyable to use.
These animations demonstrate a meticulous attention to both the functionality and the user experience of NotchNook. Much like Apple’s Dynamic Island on the iPhone, NotchNook provides a seamless and intuitive interaction. While NotchNook may not be an exact Apple design, it offers a similarly polished and engaging experience.
If your Mac doesn’t have a notch, such as with a Mac mini connected to an external display, NotchNook offers a clever solution. Instead of relying on a built-in notch, it creates a virtual “handler” that mimics the appearance and functionality of the notch found on MacBooks. While this handler is slightly smaller and less intrusive than a standard notch, it provides the same features as NotchNook on a MacBook, ensuring you still benefit from its functionality even without a physical notch.
NotchNook is already making a strong impression with its current features, but what’s truly exciting is its future potential. The developer’s commitment to continuously adding new functionalities suggests that NotchNook is poised to evolve from a handy utility into an indispensable tool for Mac users. Stay tuned for updates that could enhance its value even further.
If you’re considering NotchNook, you have two options: a monthly subscription for $3 or a one-time purchase for $25. The subscription allows you to use the app on two devices, while the full purchase lets you access it on up to five devices. To help you decide, there’s also a 48-hour free trial available. I recommend giving it a try to see if NotchNook meets your needs.