Using the Mac notch well.
Practical, honest guides about the notch, notch apps and the tools people use in them.
A file shelf for Mac: stop stacking files on the Desktop
A file shelf is a temporary holding area for drag and drop. Learn the workflow, why it beats the Desktop, and how an AirDrop zone speeds up sharing. (Guide)
A privacy checklist for any Mac notch app
Seven checks to make before you install a notch app: permissions, notarization, network use, data storage and what to do if something looks off. (Checklist)
Dynamic Island for Mac: what it is and what you can get
The Mac has no Dynamic Island, but notch apps can imitate one. See what live activities are, which apps do it and what to expect. (Guide)
How notch apps read what is playing, after macOS 15.4
Why showing the current song got harder in macOS 15.4, how open source adapters work around it, and the tradeoffs. Tested, with real findings. (Under the hood)
How to run a Pomodoro timer on your Mac
The Pomodoro technique in practice: block lengths, breaks, what to do when you get interrupted, and how to run it from the Mac notch. (Guide)
Mac clipboard history in the notch: how to use it well
Why a clipboard history helps, how to search it, what it should never record, and how NotchStar's notch version handles privacy. (Guide)
Mac menu bar icons hidden by the notch: how to fix it
Menu bar icons can disappear behind the notch when the bar fills up. Here are practical fixes, from removing icons to scaling an app below the camera. (Guide)
Notch apps for Macs without a notch
Do notch apps work on iMac, Mac mini or older MacBooks? Yes, often as a floating pill. Here is what to expect and how NotchStar handles it. (Guide)
The best Mac notch apps in 2026, compared fairly
A fair look at the main Mac notch apps in 2026: Boring Notch, Alcove, MacNotch, OmniNotch and NotchStar, with prices and who each one suits. (Guide)
The MacBook notch explained
What the notch is, which MacBooks have it, why menu bar icons disappear behind it, and the options for working around or making use of it. (Guide)
Using a teleprompter on your Mac for calls and video
How to read a script on camera without looking like you are reading: placement, pacing, writing for the ear and a notch based setup. (Guide)
What is a notch app? A plain English guide
A notch app turns the dead space around the MacBook notch into a tiny control center. Here is how they work, what they do and what to watch for. (Guide)
Put your notch to work.
Download NotchStar, open your first tool in seconds, and decide after 7 days whether it earns $4.