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As 2023 take out to a close , we mull on some of our preferent apps that made everyday life a little easier this year . While flashynew AI appsandrivalsocial networkswere grabbing headlines , sometimes the most useful excogitation fly under the radar . The apps on our beneficial - of listing may not have go far in 2023 , but they became daily staple that streamlined our work or bring small-scale moments of joyfulness . Read on for the top apps we turned to again and again when we need to get things done , connect with others or plainly have more playfulness .
Mimestream
Details : A Mac app for Gmail ( Mac )
Who picked it : Ivan Mehta
Why it ’s a fave : I have used and go over many email clients over the years . I still rue the fact that Inbox by Google is no more . Mimestream is a simple yet great Gmail clientmade by former Apple engineer Neil Jhaveri . The app has a split view to let me speedily see the content of the email . Plus , the swipe gesture allow me to archive or delete emails from the Inbox waiting line apace .
There are also extra features admit multiple write up support , a bill of fare bar extra , Gmail aliases and quick labeling ( which I found useful for categorizing emails )
Bonus mentions : Audiopen(a web app for transcription),Obscura(an iOS camera app for pro picture taking )
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Tinyview
Details : insect bite - sized comics app that endure their creators ( iOS , Android , World Wide Web )
Who pick it : Anna Heim
Why it ’s a fave : Let ’s be honest : If I started using Tinyview , it ’s because it let me read some of my favorite webcomic strips — Itchy Feet , Fowl Language and They Can Talk — in a convenient format that ’s easy to navigate . But over time , I learned that it makes writer happy , too , because as one of them notedon Thanksgiving , they get “ a material living wage , ” much more than through Patreon or script sale .
The app is free , but paid users get access to incentive gore and more . Besides extra content , though , paying for the app is also a way to stomach the Creator . If you particularly enjoy one comedian , you’re able to also apportion “ love ” on a one - by - one footing by institutionalise them a “ cooky , ” “ coffee ” , “ artistic production provision ” or “ pizza , ” each corresponding to a dissimilar tipping level .
MacroFactor
Details : Macro tracking app with minimum cues ( iOS , Android )
Who picked it : Natasha Lomas
Why it ’s a fave : This is actually the first ( dedicated ) macro tracking app I ’ve used — I came across it via a recommendation from climbing gurusHooper ’s genus Beta — so I ca n’t talk to how it liken versus the rest of the market . But I apprise its Zen - like minimal art . If you ’re after a no - gimcrackery tool that wo n’t blitz you with pestiferous notifications but will help you better understand the nutritional slant of what you ’re eat on you ca n’t go wrong with MacroFactor .
Heads up it ’s not free ( there is a abbreviated innocent trial run ) so you will have to blast out for a subscription . But honest oeuvre deserve honest pay , as they say . And you’re able to rest ensure your data is n’t being sold to Mark Zuckerberg . fructify up is wide-eyed : You just answer a few basic questions about your body comp , training authorities and set your weight loss goal ( if indeed you ’re aim to lose weight ; I was more interested in understanding my macronutrient intake ) and the app will generate custom calorie and macro targets for you which adjust , week to week , as you press in . The food logging port is also decent , with cute icons tot a Pokémon - mode “ get ta get em all ” touch to nudge you to vary what you ’re eating . Balanced diets FTW !
MMDC (MeetMyDogChallenge)
contingent : Dog societal app for pawrents ( iOS , Android )
Who break up it : Lauren Forristal
Why it ’s a fave : As a fresh puppy mom , finding other dogs with the same temperament as my rumbustious dachshund can be challenging . Many bounder in my neighborhood are large , older dogs who do n’t needs want to play with a tiny , short - legged f number machine jump around . MMDC let me to arrange up playdates with other small dog , find nearby group meetups and partake picture show of my whelp in her fresh raincoat ( she perfectly hates it ) .
My favorite feature is the availability schedule so everyone can see which days we ’re free . While this newcanine respiratory diseasehas put a lot of in - soul plans on hold , MMDC is also great for confabulate online with other users whom I can bind with over our adorable doxies .
Libby
Details : Borrow e - Holy Writ and audiobooks from the subroutine library flop on your phone ( iOS , Android , Web )
Who picked it : Amanda Silberling
Why it ’s a fave : Every time I meet someone newfangled and learn that they love to take , I enquire them if they have Libby . Since the commencement of the pandemic , I ’ve read at least 50 books every twelvemonth , and I could n’t do it ( or afford it , likely ) without Libby . The app allows you to plug in your program library board ( yes , cards , plural — do n’t enquire about my honorable crises around owning multiple library cards ) , and then you could look for ledger to take over as e - books or audiobooks . If you take over an e - book , you could access to your Amazon account and send out book like a shot to your Kindle . It ’s wanton , breezy , beautiful , Libby . Bonus recommendation : partake in a Libby account with a friend and judge each other for all the bonkers ca-ca you ’re both reading .
PSPlay
Details : A third - political party client for PlayStation Remote Play ( Android )
Who pluck it : Kyle Wiggers
Why it ’s a fave : So , I’mverylate to the party , but my partner and I just began using the PlayStation 5 ’s Remote Play feature — a genuine godsend on those day when our seam sound a lot more likeable than the couch . Because the PS5 ’s in the animation room and we do n’t want to move . In anticipation of travel around the vacation time of year , I ’ve been researching fashion to take Remote Play beyond the confines of our flat Wi - Fi , and the process seem a little … involved , to say the least .
PSPlay makes it easy — it ’s Remote gambol on the go , as promote . Beyond that , it delivers feature that Sony ’s official Remote Play app does n’t , like sustenance for third - political party restrainer , picture - in - picture mode and screen capture — making it well deserving the $ 5.99 price .
