TL;DR Summary

CloudMounter mounts major cloud services and FTP/SFTP into Finder like local drives.

It saves space by streaming instead of syncing files.

Its optional client-side encryption keeps data secure.

Great for devs, freelancers, remote teams, and power users.

Pricing starts at $29.99/year or available via Setapp — includes a 7-day free trial.

Limitation: Advanced SFTP features like chmod/chown are not supported.

What is CloudMounter?

CloudMounter is a Mac app that lets you mount cloud services—like Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and even FTP—as local drives in Finder. No more bouncing between apps or eating up space with sync folders. You simply connect and manage them like external storage. Some key features are:

• Mount Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, Amazon S3, pCloud, Backblaze B2, WebDAV, etc.
• Encrypt files and folders for enhanced security.
• Access cloud files via Finder as if they’re local.
• Connect to FTP/SFTP servers.
• Work Offline by caching files locally.
• Seamless integration without needing background sync clients.

CloudMounter is available for both macOS and Windows, but the Windows version has fewer features.

CloudMounter Review

As you can see, the claims from CloudMounter are great enough to leave an impression.

We wanted to check how CloudMounter performs in real life. We happen to be the desired customer base for the utility as well, since we deal with multiple cloud storage spaces and cloud accounts. So, we decided to test the CloudMounter app on our M2 MacBook Air, running the latest version of macOS Sequoia.

CloudMounter vs. Cloud Sync Apps

Feature	CloudMounter	Google Drive App	Dropbox App
Mount in Finder	Yes	No	No
Uses Local Storage	No	Yes	Yes
Work Offline	Yes (selectively)	Yes	Yes
Multiple Accounts	Unified	Limited	But separate apps
FTP/SFTP/Remote Drive Support	Yes	No	No
Encryption (Client-side)	Yes	No	No

Setup, UI, & Navigation

We installed the latest version of CloudMounter from Setapp, and the process took less than a minute. It is impressive that a multipurpose tool like CloudMounter takes up only around 100MB of storage space.

It does not take up a lot of system resources while running in the background, either.

Because CloudMounter is designed to integrate with Finder, the app does not have a full window-based UI. Instead, you can access all the options from the menu bar widget.

As you can see above, CloudMounter shows the list of cloud storage drives you have added. When you hover over the drive, you can find options like Unmount, Encrypt, Show in Finder, Edit, Delete, etc. CloudMounter lets you change the content refresh interval as well.

Overall, getting started with and navigating through CloudMounter is effortless.

Mounting Storage Drives

The first thing you should do when you start using CloudMounter is mount the cloud storage drive to your Mac. The process is easy and can be done in a minute.

The New Drive button from the menu bar widget lets you choose the type of drive you want to mount. You can choose between options like FTP & SFTP, Amazon S3, Backblaze, OpenStack Swift, Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, Box, MEGA, WebDAV, and pCloud. Different services require different setup processes.

We tried to set up a MEGA account, and we could mount the drive by entering the account (email) and the password. However, you need to enter the Google account credentials and sign in if you want to mount your Google Drive storage.

As you can guess, CloudMounter offers customization options for FTP & SFTP connections. You can choose between options like Anonymous logins, simultaneous connection limit, and connection Mode. You get to access the drive without issues once you have connected it via CloudMounter.

Integration & Security

After you mount a cloud storage drive to CloudMounter, the drive almost becomes like a local folder on your Mac. We really love how integrated the system is.

Earlier, moving a file from Google Drive to Dropbox meant we had to download the file from one place and upload it again. Now, we can easily drag and drop the file from one place to another. This kind of integration comes in handy when you want to move many files from one cloud storage to another.

More importantly, because macOS treats these files as local files, you can use all options from the right-click menu. It means opening a document using other programs, duplicating, compressing, or using all extensions you have installed on Finder in the first place.

In terms of security, CloudMounter does not disappoint. Because it uses a secure route for connection, the transactions you do via CloudMounter are safe. However, if you want, you can set up additional encryption for each drive you have mounted to make your files extra safe.

Performance & Workflow

We already told you that CloudMounter uses minimal system resources while running in the background. Of course, depending on the size, the app may take a few seconds or minutes to download the file from cloud storage and open it.

However, as we said, you have an option to keep all files offline. This way, even if you add a new file from another device, CloudMounter will keep it ready on your device. You also get to decide how often the app will fetch data from cloud servers.

Download/Upload Speeds

We did not find any impact on download/upload speeds, either. We uploaded the same file to Google Drive using a web browser and the CloudMounter app. Both took the same time with the upload speeds capped at 20 Mbps.

Note that there will be a few seconds’ delay when modifying an existing file. CloudMounter works by making a copy of the file, where you make the changes. Then, this file would replace the actual file. It does not cause any sharing-related issues, though.

Stability

We also noticed that the CloudMounter app is surprisingly stable. Your Mac would thank you for using this single app instead of multiple dedicated apps from cloud storage providers. The limitation here is that you cannot use additional functions like backup.

Then again, you can use another backup solution (like Get Backup Pro) to store the backup files in one of the cloud storage folders. If you want synchronization instead of scheduled backup, you can find macOS apps to do so.

Potential Use Cases

We believe there are many potential use cases for CloudMounter for Mac.

Storage Extension

Getting built-in storage on your Mac is an expensive affair. CloudMounter has become an easy way to extend storage space by connecting cloud storage options. Because you can connect as many accounts as you need, you can use multiple storage drives to expand storage for free. Thanks to Finder integration, the process is seamless.

Cross Cloud Management

As we said, we use CloudMounter to manage files across multiple cloud storage providers. This is easier and quicker than the download-copy-upload routine you usually do. While at it, you also save yourself from the ordeal of managing multiple web browser tabs.

In our workflow, we need to manage multiple Google Drive accounts: our personal drive, work drive, and the department drive. We used to rely on the Spaces feature of Arc Browser to deal with this situation. However, with CloudMounter, we can access convenient folders from the Finder sidebar. So, unless there is a need to share something, we don’t need an extra tab open.

SFTP/FTP Connections

CloudMounter is particularly useful for developers and IT pros who frequently interact with SFTP or FTP servers. With support for mounting SFTP as a local disk, it eliminates the need for dedicated apps like Cyberduck—streamlining workflows right from Finder.

Who CloudMounter is for

• Remote workers or Web admins managing remote servers
• Freelancers juggling personal and client cloud accounts
• Developers needing SFTP/FTP access
• Digital nomads minimizing storage bloat
• Agencies handling multiple client assets in the cloud
• Content creators automating remote backups

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Eliminates the need for multiple cloud storage clients.
• Integrates cloud storage directly into Finder for seamless access.
• Saves disk space by not syncing all files locally.
• Regular updates providing ongoing support and improvements.

Cons

• Occasional need to remount drives to see server-side changes.
• You cannot use the sharing functions with the drives.
• Does not support advanced SFTP operations like changing file permissions (chmod) or ownership (chown).

Pricing & Value

The 7-day free trial is available, and you can get CloudMounter via the Setapp subscription as well.

Considering the different ways it can improve your digital lifestyle, the price you pay for CloudMounter is reasonable. If you use the right strategy, you can save several hundred dollars that you may spend on storage expansion options like portable SSDs or paid subscriptions. We should also count the convenience it offers.

FAQs

Does CloudMounter sync files locally?

No, CloudMounter does not sync files locally by default. It streams files directly from the cloud, saving disk space. However, you can enable Work Offline mode to cache specific files on your Mac.

Is the encryption truly secure?

Yes. CloudMounter offers client-side encryption, meaning your files are encrypted before they’re uploaded to the cloud. Even your cloud provider can’t access the content—only you hold the decryption key.

Can I access files without an internet connection?

Yes, but only if you’ve enabled Work Offline for that drive. This feature stores a local copy of the cloud files so you can access them without a connection.

Can it replace Dropbox/Drive official apps?

Yes, for basic file access and management via Finder, CloudMounter works well. But it doesn’t support native features like file sharing, selective sync, or real-time collaboration.

Can I use CloudMounter alongside official cloud apps?

Yes, CloudMounter can work alongside apps like Dropbox or Google Drive. Just note that some duplication in access or syncing might occur if both are running simultaneously.

Conclusion

After using CloudMounter for a month, it’s clear: this is a sweet utility if you deal with multiple cloud services on your Mac. It saves time, simplifies access, and even helps you reclaim local storage. Whether you’re a casual user or a power user juggling work and personal accounts, CloudMounter just works.

<p>The post CloudMounter: The App Mounts and Uses Cloud Drives From Your Mac’s Finder first appeared on TheSweetBits.</p>

Sure, you could hire a video editor — but that’s expensive. Or teach yourself editing — time-consuming. And after all that, you still need to optimize for YouTube, Instagram, and other platforms.

FocuSee claims to solve this difficult situation for good!

What Is FocuSee

FocuSee by iMobie is an all-in-one screen recorder, editor, and post-production suite. It lets you record content from your Mac (or Windows) and easily transform it into a tutorial, how-to guide, or launch video.

The best part? You don’t need to be a professional video editor to produce high-quality videos. While your creativity and skills can take your content further, FocuSee is designed for everyone. Whether you’re making podcasts, streams, or any kind of video recording on your PC/Mac, the possibilities are endless.

Since iMobie acquired FocuSee in late 2024, the tool has gained tremendous popularity. A major boost came when Elon Musk recently shared a video created with FocuSee, bringing global attention to its AI-powered capabilities.

“We are thrilled to see FocuSee gaining recognition within the AI creator community.” said Frank Kong, CEO of FocuSee.

“Our mission is to make video editing effortless, allowing users to focus on creativity rather than complexity. With FocuSee’s seamless screen recording capabilities and intelligent auto-editing features, anyone can create professional-quality content in minutes. I’m so delighted to see our commitment now being proven true.”

Read the full interview here

Features Highlight

• Make demos, guides, and promos with minimal editing—FocuSee combines recording and editing in one tool.
• Auto-apply effects like blur, zoom, crop, and mouse clicks, plus AI-powered captions.
• Simultaneous multi-track recording (screen, selfie camera, voiceover)
• Choose from ready-made templates or create your own presets for fast editing.
• Highlight key areas with dynamic spotlight effects to guide your viewers’ attention.
• Choose pre-set sizes for YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, or create your own designs.
• Adjust volume, mute, and reduce background noise for crisp, clear sound.
• Add quizzes, calls-to-action, and forms directly into your videos for higher engagement.
• Share instantly via cloud links, embed codes, or export in MP4/GIF.

Tech Specs at a Glance

Notes:

• Optimal performance is on macOS 12.3 or later.
• Export to GIF is supported, but MP4 is the primary format for most workflows.
• Separate audio tracks and advanced audio controls are available on macOS 13+ and Windows.

FocuSee Review (TheSweetBits Take)

Now that we know what FocuSee claims to do, we shall see how it performs in real life. We wanted to check how effective FocuSee is when you want to create a video tutorial.

We tried to create a tutorial about a text expansion tool that we regularly use. Editing a tutorial of that sort takes hours using something like iMovie, and our aim was to check whether FocuSee could offer something more cost and time-effective.

All the testing was done on an M2 MacBook Air running the latest version of macOS Sequoia.

# Setup & Getting Started

Setting up FocuSee and getting started with the app is pretty straightforward. You can download the official installer and proceed with the installation. When you open FocuSee the first time, the app will ask you for Accessibility, Camera, and Microphone permissions.

Once you provide these permissions, FocuSee can start its work.

We appreciate that FocuSee for Mac maintains a lightweight footprint despite its rich feature set. It meant we could run FocuSee smoothly even when other resource-hungry apps were on. This is somewhat of a necessity if we want to prepare tutorials for apps that professionals use.

# UI and Navigation

If you have used screen recording/capturing tools before, you can easily get started with FocuSee. The app does not have a fully-fledged interface in the first place. Instead, when you launch FocuSee, you can see the many options for recording the screen.

Here, you can choose between multiple recording modes and device setup. Once you proceed with the setup and complete the recording, you will see the editor interface, which is where most of the magic happens. If you have some experience with editing videos, you won’t have any trouble getting started.

# Screen Recording Experience

The screen recording module of FocuSee is similar to the other screen recording tools we have come across. You have three options: Full Screen, Custom, and Window. Regardless of your choice, FocuSee will add some magical effects to each recording. The smart zoom function is one of them.

Apart from the recording mode, device setup options are also available. These options allow you to choose the webcam, voice, and system audio sources for the content. You can start the recording by selecting the recording mode and pressing the Record button.

You can change the sources right before you hit the Record button, as well. Overall, the entire recording part feels easy.

# Editing Options

As we said, editing is where all the magic happens. This is when that screen recording is converted into how-to guides. When you click the Stop Recording button, FocuSee will take a second or two to process the video and launch the editor interface.

As we said above, by this time, FocuSee will have added basic effects like context-aware zoom to the video. That is, if you were moving your mouse around or clicking on a button, FocuSee would have zoomed in so that your viewer could pay better attention.

However, FocuSee lets you modify multiple aspects of the video depending on what you want to create. For starters, you can add a background, adjust the padding, and choose the right aspect ratio for the video. You get to optimize the video based on where you want to publish it. FocuSee packs an incredible collection of background images/designs, but you can upload files to create custom ones as well.

FocuSee also lets you choose between multiple editing options, such as Cursor, Animation, Camera, Audio Control, Captions, and Watermark. All these features add so much value and let you create an impressive how-to guide or launch video in a few minutes. Let’s see some examples.

The Cursor section, for instance, allowed us to choose an interesting cursor style and highlight options. We really loved the Spotlight and Ring highlight options, which attract the viewer’s attention while keeping the video look professional. The Cursor click sound option is also cool.

The Animation section, on the other hand, lets you change almost every type of movement within the video. For instance, you can adjust the speed for cursor movement and screen blur during the zooming-in process. This way, you have better control over the video, even if you were a little hasty while recording.

FocuSee offers ample control over how the webcam video feed appears on the video. You can choose one of the preset layouts or go for something more customized. As always, you can control how large the camera content is during the zoom function.

Audio Control and Captions sections also add incredible value to FocuSee. Audio Control lets you manage its audio aspect and remove background noise. On the other hand, the Captions module lets you auto-generate subtitles for the video. We could even choose between multiple language models.

The Watermark module lets you apply a watermark before you export the video.

# Exporting Options

You get some standard options when it comes to exporting a video from FocuSee. You can choose between a video and a GIF. MP4 video lets you choose a quality as high as 4K and 60FPS. The GIF function is handy when you want something you can easily share on the web. However, we don’t recommend using GIF if the video is lengthy.

# Timeline Editor

We wanted to add a few words about the Timeline interface of FocuSee and the overall performance we got from the app.

While not as advanced as the ones you see in professional video editing tools, FocuSee packs a decent video editor timeline. You can use this to easily add media content and adjust effects like zoom and blur.

We did a thorough test, trying to edit a 5-minute tutorial, and the experience was pretty smooth. FocuSee handled everything fine, even when dealing with multiple full HD videos from other sources. The drag-and-drop option makes a lot of sense when you want to edit how the video behaves.

Though the Timeline does not support transition drops, you get some standard options. For instance, you’d have the option to crop, clip, and control the audio aspect of the video. We also loved the Spotlight function, which lets you further highlight a part of the video. So, if you think the blur zoom is not enough, FocuSee has got you covered.

# Performance Impact

One great thing about FocuSee is that you only need a few minutes to create an impressive video. In these early minutes, the app is quite resource-efficient. You don’t see much impact on CPU or RAM. However, as we spent more with the editor, playing around with multiple modules, we noticed the system heating up a little.

While it is not a big problem, we would appreciate some optimizations from the developer. Despite all these, using FocuSee is several times more lightweight than relying on something like iMovie or Final Cut Pro. Sure, you may not get all the features, but you will have a decent tutorial/demo video in the end.

Pricing & Value

Straightforward pricing is another reason to love FocuSee from iMobie. You can get the app through a one-time purchase worth $69.99, which lets you use the screen recorder-editor function on 1 device. It could be a Mac or a PC. The 2-computer and 5-computer plans from FocuSee are available for $95.99 and $179.99 respectively.

We must highlight that FocuSee does not have any subscriptions. So, all these features would be available for lifetime access. Considering the features we just analyzed, FocuSee offers incredible value for most users. Sure, the app may not replace your go-to video editor, but having these handy features for as low as $69.99 is a steal.

So, if you ask us, we’d say that FocuSee offers incredible value for all users. In addition to these, iMobie offers an education discount, which is available to students and teachers. The app also offers a fully-fledged free trial with a 4K export option. However, this output will have a watermark, which you can remove by getting the paid version.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• User-friendly interface with intuitive controls
• Automated pan & zoom effects save significant editing time
• Professional-looking video output with dynamic zooming capabilities
• Records both screen and webcam simultaneously
• Pre-set canvas sizes optimized for various social media platforms
• Affordable pricing with a 60-day money-back guarantee

Cons

• Slow export times and occasional performance issues on some systems
• Limited video editing functionality compared to dedicated editors
• Poor webcam recording quality reported by Windows users

Users Reviews of FocuSee

Don’t just take our word for it! Here are what some other users and reviewers have said about FocuSee.

Dave Swift, software enthusiast:

“As someone who used to spend hours editing my screen recordings, FocuSee has been a game-changer. The automatic zooming in on critical areas and the intuitive controls helped me produce polished videos in a fraction of the time.”

LinkedIn Pulse:

“FocuSee is ideal for anyone who wants to focus on content without spending too much time on editing. The AI really makes the difference, and the fact that it’s so simple to use is a huge bonus.

AppSumo:

“For the price, FocuSee is a steal. It’s an intuitive tool, but for those who need more in-depth video editing, it might not replace a full editing suite. That said, it’s perfect for quick tutorials and screen recordings.”

FAQs

Is FocuSee suitable for beginners?

Yes, FocuSee is designed with a beginner-friendly interface. Its intuitive UI and straightforward workflow make it easy for users without editing experience to produce polished, professional-looking videos. Quick access to recording modes and editing tools ensures a smooth process from start to finish.

How does FocuSee automate the video editing process?

FocuSee uses AI-driven editing to automatically add effects, captions, and highlights to your screen recordings. The software tracks your cursor, applies dynamic pan and zoom effects, and can generate backgrounds and captions without manual intervention. This automation allows you to focus on your content rather than spending hours on technical post-production tasks.

Who can benefit most from using FocuSee?

FocuSee is ideal for content creators, educators, marketers, and business professionals alike.

What are some alternatives to Focusee for Mac users?

If you’re looking for alternatives to Focusee, you may check out

• DemoCreator—a tool with real-time camera overlays, annotation effects, and AI-powered enhancements.
• Or EaseUS RecExperts, which is great for capturing gameplay, meetings, or tutorials with flexible output settings.
• Alternatively, you can combine CleanShot X for clean, high-quality screen recordings with Final Cut Pro for professional-level editing.

Each tool brings its own strengths, whether you’re after simplicity, power, or more advanced editing features.

Conclusion

FocuSee is a sweet solution for creators, educators, and professionals who want to make polished tutorials without diving into complicated video editors. It won’t replace Final Cut Pro, but for most how-to content, it absolutely gets the job done — quickly, cleanly, and affordably.

If you’re looking for a one-stop tool to record, edit, and share your Mac screen in style, FocuSee is definitely worth a look.

More details, visit iMobie official site to get a free trial.

<p>The post FocuSee: Fast, Focused Screen Tutorial Creation for Mac (& Windows) first appeared on TheSweetBits.</p>

Why It’s Sweet

PopTranslate is more than a utility; it’s a rethinking of how translation should work in the macOS ecosystem. With AI-powered features and a design philosophy rooted in simplicity and speed, it transforms the way you interact with multilingual content.

Here’s what makes it special:

• Instant Pop-Up Translation: Just select text anywhere—browser, PDF, email, chat—and a customizable popup shows the translation right there. No switching windows. No interruptions.
• AI Powerhouse: Choose between multiple AI engines including OpenAI, Gemini, and Claude, and compare translations in real time.
• AI Explain, Rewrite & Define: Get instant explanations of complex phrases, grammar fixes for writing, or definitions—all powered by AI.
• OCR Image Translation: Need to translate unselectable text from an image or scanned document? Snap a screenshot and let PopTranslate handle it.
• Replace in One Click: Translate and seamlessly replace your original text with the translated version—perfect for emails, reports, and cross-lingual writing.
• System-wide support: Works everywhere on your Mac—Mail, Safari, Messages, Pages, PDFs, iBooks, Slack, and more.

What the Developer Says

PopTranslate began as a simple Safari extension created by its developer to help his wife translate web content effortlessly. Over time, it evolved into a full-featured macOS app powered by cutting-edge AI technology.

“PopTranslate was designed with two clear goals in mind: being AI First and providing a seamless native macOS experience.”​

For a deeper dive into the story behind PopTranslate, you can read their full blog post here.

How PopTranslate Works

After a quick setup (including connecting to your own OpenAI, DeepL, or Gemini API keys), PopTranslate runs quietly in your menu bar. When you highlight any text, a keyboard shortcut (default: ⌃⌥T) triggers the magic: a lightweight popup shows the translation, along with options to rewrite, define, or explain what you’re reading.

You can even customize the UI and behavior—choose your default target language, tweak the shortcut, and tailor the popup menu’s appearance. It’s translation, done the Mac way.

A user case for email translation

macOS users who deal with multilingual email know the pain:

• No built-in translation in Apple Mail
• Time-consuming copy/paste workflows
• Terminology mistranslations that lose context

PopTranslate changes the game by letting you read and respond to international emails in your native language—without leaving the Mail app. With a quick shortcut, you can translate, rewrite, or replace text right inside your draft.

What People Are Saying

PopTranslate has quietly built a loyal following among power users and international communicators:

“The fastest way I’ve found to translate emails without jumping between apps.”
— Product Hunt comment

“This really should be built into macOS.”
— Reddit /r/macapps user

Users especially praise its smooth UI, multi-engine support, and the Replace feature that speeds up multilingual email replies and content editing.

What’s Next

The PopTranslate roadmap is packed with thoughtful improvements:

• iOS Companion App: Bringing the same native translation flow to your iPhone and iPad.
• Offline Translation Support: Using on-device LLMs to work without an internet connection.
• Deeper Ecosystem Integration: Extensions for Safari, Notes, Mail, and other native apps.
• Customization and Automation: Trigger translations with custom shortcuts, presets, or even AppleScript integrations in future builds.

The vision is clear: PopTranslate is becoming more than a utility—it’s evolving into a lightweight AI language assistant that adapts to your workflow.

What’s the Price

The core app is free to use, simply go official website, download and sign up to unlock 10 free translations daily.

To unlock advanced features, PopTranslate offers a Pro Subscription with two flexible plans:​

Pro (Monthly): $1.99 USD per month​

• Access to advanced AI models: OpenAI, Gemini​
• OCR Translation with AI​
• Translation in Pop Window​
• Comparison between AI translations​
• AI-Powered Text-to-Speech​
• Advanced AI features: Explain, Rewrite​

Pro (Yearly): $14.99 USD per year (Save 38% off the monthly plan)​

• Includes all features of the Pro Monthly plan.

The Bottom Line

PopTranslate is a Mac-native translation tool that actually respects your time and workflow. Whether you’re reading foreign-language content, translating documents, or writing multilingual emails, it brings the power of AI into your daily life—quietly and smartly.

It’s requires macOS 14 or newer, dive deep from https://poptranslate.app/

<p>The post PopTranslate: The AI Translation Tool for Mac Enthusiasts first appeared on TheSweetBits.</p>

What is Backdrop?

Backdrop is a macOS application that reimagines the concept of desktop wallpapers. Instead of static images, Backdrop offers a curated collection of high-quality, visually stunning scenes that can include subtle animations, video loops, and eventually, interactive elements. It’s a fresh and innovative way to personalize your Mac and create a more engaging computing experience. If you’re looking to move beyond the ordinary, Backdrop delivers a unique and refreshing take on desktop aesthetics.

Core Features

• Dynamic Scenes: Backdrop moves beyond static images, offering a curated selection of dynamic scenes, including video-based backdrops, and planned support for interactive elements powered by Rive.
• High-Quality Visuals: Backdrop emphasizes quality over quantity. Every scene is hand-crafted or carefully selected to ensure visual appeal and optimal performance on macOS.
• Curated Collection: Unlike apps that overwhelm you with millions of images, Backdrop offers a refined library of unique and exclusive content, ensuring a premium experience.
• Global Community: A global community contributing to a constantly expanding library. You can even submit your own creations to the community!
• Seamless Integration: Backdrop is designed to seamlessly integrate with macOS, providing a native feel and optimized performance.
• Regular Updates: The developers regularly add new scenes, so there’s always something fresh to discover.

Getting Started with Backdrop

Setting up Backdrop is straightforward. Simply download the app from its official website or Mac App Store, launch it, and browse the available scenes.

You can choose from a selection of free scenes or unlock the full library with a one-time purchase. Once you’ve found a scene you like, simply select it, and Backdrop will instantly transform your desktop.

The app sits unobtrusively in your menu bar, allowing you to easily switch between scenes or adjust settings.

TheSweetBits Take

Backdrop is a breath of fresh air in the world of macOS customization. It offers a unique and innovative approach to desktop wallpapers, moving beyond static images to create a more dynamic and engaging computing experience. The emphasis on quality, the curated collection, and the seamless integration with macOS make Backdrop a standout app.

For anyone looking to personalize their Mac and add a touch of visual flair, Backdrop is definitely worth checking out. We especially appreciate that Backdrop is fostering a community where users can contribute to the scene library.

Pricing

Backdrop offers flexible subscription and one-time purchase options to suit your needs:

• Monthly: $2.99/month. This plan provides access to all Backdrop features, high-quality backdrops, removes trial watermarks, and offers instant activation and easy cancellation.
• Yearly: $9.99/year (discounted from $19.99). This popular plan offers a significant discount compared to the monthly option and includes the same features of monthly plan.
• Lifetime: $49.99. This one-time purchase gives you lifetime access to all Backdrop features with no watermarks and unlimited updates.

For more details, visit https://cindori.com/backdrop

<p>The post Backdrop App: A Fresh Take on Mac Wallpapers first appeared on TheSweetBits.</p>

Sure, you can find multiple HEIC/HEVC converters on the Internet, but do you want to upload your photos to an unknown site? Would it be great if you could convert HEIC photos and HEVC videos from the comfort of your Mac? Well, iMazing Converter has got you covered.

What is iMazing Converter?

iMazing Converter is a nifty file conversion utility from iMazing, an all-in-one iPhone management tool. This utility helps you convert HEIC photos and HEVC videos into standard media formats like JPEG, PNG, and MP4. It is excellent if you want to use shot-on-iPhone photos and videos on a Windows PC or an older Mac.

Though many apps now support HEIC/HEVC files, we cannot be 100% sure of compatibility. So, when you’re working on something important, it makes sense to have a format like JPEG, PNG, or MP4. While these file formats are not as efficient as HEVC/HEIC, they work on almost all devices.

Core features

• iMazing Converter lets you easily convert HEIC images into JPEG or PNG formats. Similarly, you can use it to convert HEVC (H.265) to AVC/MP4 (H.264).
• An intuitive interface makes it effortless to drag and drop the files you want to convert. This utility is capable of handling multiple files at once.
• This file converter utility also offers advanced control over metadata, resolution, quality, etc. So you can create a file that works best for you. You also get support for color profiles, such as wide gamut.
• You can use iMazing Converter free of charge even if you don’t have iMazing on your Mac or PC.

How to convert HEIC to JPEG/PNG using iMazing Converter?

Let’s now look at the process of converting a HEIC file into JPEG/PNG using the iMazing Converter utility.

1. Install the iMazing Converter on your Mac/PC and open the tool.

2. Drag and drop the HEIC/HEVC file that you want to convert. Here, we have added a HEIC image we had shot on an iPhone 13.
3. Now, choose options such as the target file format, quality, resolution, and whether to keep EXIF data of the image/video. If you have added videos and photos together, you can choose the options for both categories.

4. Click Convert, and you will see the target file in PNG/JPEG/MP4 in a few seconds.

The overall process is simple, and iMazing Converter does a great job of retaining quality during conversion.

TheSweetBits take

Unfortunately, we are not yet there in a world of universal media formats. So, we believe everyone should have iMazing Converter on their PC or Mac if they capture photos and videos using their iPhone or iPad. It also helps that you don’t have to pay a single penny to use this nifty tool.

<p>The post iMazing Converter: A Nifty, Free Tool to Convert HEIC and HEVC first appeared on TheSweetBits.</p>

One, we can use an online media compressor utility. While this is convenient, you always risk uploading your media to a third-party server. So, if you are dealing with something sensitive, this option does not work out for many.

Two, you can use a media compression utility on your Mac. This option checks all the boxes because the data never leaves your computer. The problem? Finding the right media compression utility is difficult, especially when you need maximum integration with macOS.

CompressX for Mac, however, solves this problem in the best possible way.

About CompressX

CompressX is an offline media compression utility that you can install on your Mac. When you install the application, you also install the algorithms for media compression and conversion, which means that you do not need an internet connection to convert or compress images or video files.

Compared to other image compression tools out there, CompressX combines a lot of features, such as a well-integrated design and maximum efficiency when it comes to processing various file types.

Key features

• High compression rate, with lightning-fast speeds.
• 100% offline compression, ensuring full privacy and security.
• Compress and convert images, videos, GIFs, and more.
• Compress PDF with flexible quality options.
• Batch processing.
• Trim the video to remove unwanted fragments before compression.
• Automatically compress new files as they’re added to monitored folders.
• Adjust quality, remove audio, trim, or change formats for videos.
• Unique support for exporting to WebM (video) and WebP (image) formats.

From the developer

“CompressX utilizes FFmpeg, a powerful library for media processing, as its foundation. By employing advanced codecs like H.265 (HEVC), it achieves higher compression efficiency than traditional H.264, significantly reducing file sizes while preserving quality. ” Learn Hieu Dinh’s journey with CompressX here.

Tech specs

Platform Compatibility

• Supported Devices: Mac Intel & Apple Silicon
• Operating System: macOS 13 and later

Supported Input Formats

• Image Formats: JPEG, PNG, GIF, SVG, TIFF, WebP
• Video Formats: MP4, MOV, MKV, WebM, AVI, GIF
• File format: PDF

Supported Export Formats

• Image: PNG, JPG, WebP
• Video: MP4, WebM, GIF
• File format: PDF

Target Audience

• Designers
• Content Creators
• Digital Marketers
• Developers
• General Users (Everyone)

Ideal for

• Compressing videos for easy sharing on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and other social media platforms.
• Reducing video file sizes for email attachments.
• Optimizing images for faster website loading times.

CompressX review (TheSweetBits take)

As a content developer for a tech blog, I have to deal with multiple images and videos on a daily basis. As much as I would like to, I still do not see a situation where a single video format or image type would serve the purpose across my life.

This means that I have to turn towards a media compression tool and a file converter option that is efficient and privacy-conscious. The last thing I want is for these files to get out of my hand, right?

Therefore, my testing for CompressX consists of the regular workflow I follow as a part of my content writing projects. This means I’ll be testing how effective the compression technology from CompressX is and how useful file conversion technology is.

I have been testing CompressX for the past week, and here’s what I feel about this 100% offline compression and conversion utility.

Installation and Setup

Getting started with CompressX is as straightforward as it gets. You can download the installation file from the official website before or after getting the license.

The installation does not take more than a few seconds. You will have the fully fledged interface in a second after registering the license. I noticed that CompressX does not consume a lot of storage space or processing power.

It seems to work fine even when I have some heavy-duty applications running in the foreground. So, if you are looking forward to setting it up alongside a heavy-duty app like Premiere or Photoshop, you won’t have any trouble with CompressX.

User Interface

The core user interface of CompressX is simple and elegant.

The main UI does not seem complex by any means, but it changes depending on the file that you want to convert. That is, when you drag and drop an image file, you will see respective options, such as the ones to change the image quality, format, and size.

On the other hand, if you are putting a video into the compression pane, you will find some extra options, such as trimming the video and removing audio from the file. Once you press the Compress button, the tool starts its work.

Once CompressX completes the compression/conversion, you can instantly open the output file via Finder. It also shows you an overview of the current size, the reduced size, and the overall time taken.

Image Compression & Conversion

Here are a few aspects of using CompressX for image compression and conversion.

• Compatibility

CompressX quickly deals with almost all the image formats I threw at it, including WebP. However, you cannot get the same set of filters for all formats. However, when dealing with JPEG and PNG, all compression and conversion features work.

As far as exports are concerned, CompressX lets you convert the existing file to JPEG, PNG, and WebP.

• Compression Effectiveness

While compressing an image, you can choose the desired Image Quality, Image Format, and Image Size. For testing, I tried compressing a JPEG photograph with an original file size of 3.7 MB.

With the Highest Image Quality and 25% Image Size compression, the output file was 228KB. The process of compression/conversion took only 1 second. With Medium Image Quality, the size came down to 63KB.

In both cases, CompressX had reduced the image resolution by roughly 25%. However, when the quality was set to Medium, the loss of quality became evident.

So, unless you want to convert a photograph, CompressX does a great job regardless of the format that you have chosen.

Video Compression & Conversion

Here’s how the video compression and conversion options on CompressX work.

• Compatibility

Like its image compression/conversion module, video compression also works with a broader variety of media formats. I tried using MKV, MPEG-4, and AVI, and the tool worked fine. However, some formats, like MKV, do not offer additional control options.

When it comes to output formats, you can choose between MP4, WebM, and GIF.

• Compression Effectiveness

For testing, I tried an MPEG-4 video with a file size of 255MB. One thing to note here is that CompressX does not allow you to choose the compression ratio. Instead, you need to choose a video quality: Highest, High, Good, Medium, and Acceptable.

When the Highest video quality was selected, the conversion took close to 10 minutes, which isn’t the fastest by any means. There wasn’t much of a file size change, either. With the Good option for Video quality, the tool completed compression rather quickly, bringing the file size down to 76.1MB.

The quality was pretty decent, too. As we lowered the video quality, the compression took a shorter time.

I must, however, add that video compression takes a toll on system resources, especially the CPU. My M2 Air had a rather tough time with CPU consumption during compression.

PDF Compression

CompressX has recently enhanced its functionality by introducing advanced PDF compression capabilities powered by Ghostscript. This new feature offers four quality presets to compress PDFs according to your specific needs:

• Best: For premium output quality
• High: For excellent compression while maintaining high fidelity
• Balanced: For optimal file size reduction with good quality
• Low: For maximum compression when file size is critical

The integration of Ghostscript not only streamlines the PDF compression process but also empowers you to manage your media files efficiently without compromising on privacy or performance.

Customization Features

CompressX offers quite a few customization options, especially considering its minimal software footprint.

For beginners, you can choose to remove the input files after the compression is done. And you can also set up notifications so that you know when the conversion is finished. There are also options to retain the creation date and copy the output file directly to the clipboard. You can also customize how output files from the app are renamed.

If you want to go further, there are advanced options such as hardware acceleration and the option to select a video encoding codec. You can also control the target video FPS and whether to retain EXIF metadata.

For the most part, there are also some customization options for the appearance, where you can choose to retain the Dock icon and the menu bar icon. You can also decide whether the app will turn up when you start up your Mac.

There is also a monitoring interface which I used frequently. As a content creator, I typically save all screenshot images to a designated folder. Now, I simply let CompressX monitor this folder. CompressX automatically begins compressing any new files added to the folder.

The monitor also allows you to create a folder that serves as a central point for all conversions. To convert a media file, simply copy and paste it into this designated folder, and CompressX will automatically process it based on your preset settings.

Integration with macOS & Apps

I also wanted to mention a few integration features.

One, CompressX can enable a drop-zone near the notch if your display has one. When you drag and drop a media file in the area, CompressX will automatically compress it to your preferences. It’s a great way to quickly compress/convert a file without opening the main window.

CompressX also integrates with Raycast through an extension. You can install this free Raycast extension to access high-quality compression/conversion from the Raycast interface. The next time you select a media file, you can easily convert it using Raycast.

CompressX usage

CompressX offers several ways to compress your media files:

Open with Finder / Drag-n-Drop Files

• Open: Locate the file in Finder, right-click, select “Open With,” and choose CompressX to compress with default settings.
• Drag & Drop: Open CompressX, then drag files into the window or manually select them. This allows you to adjust quality/size parameters and choose whether to remove originals before compression.
• For video or GIF or image or PDF: Select videos/gifs/images/PDFs after clicking the selection panel, adjust options and click “Compress.”
• After the compression is finished, you can see the details of the compressed file and click “Open in Finder” to access the compressed file.

Monitor Folder

• You can set CompressX to monitor a specific folder.
• New files added to the folder are automatically compressed.
• Customize compression parameters for each folder (quality vs. file size) individually.
• Optionally, you can configure CompressX to automatically delete the original files after compression to keep the monitored folder clean.

CompressX pricing

CompressX is currently available only for macOS, and its pricing starts at $19. This personal license offers you access to one device. But if you want to use the app on multiple devices, you can get a standard license for $29. These are one-time purchases; however, please keep in mind that the license includes updates for one year only.

In addition to this, the developer of CompressX also offers a 30% educational discount to eligible students. There is also a 7-day money-back guarantee, which means if you are not satisfied with this tool, you can always get the real money back.

Overall, this pricing model seems fairly ideal.

Pros and cons

Pros

• CompressX works 100% offline, ensuring privacy
• Advanced integration and automation options
• Impressive compatibility for conversion formats
• One-time purchase that offers incredible value.

Cons

• Video compression takes a toll on the CPU resources

FAQs

Is CompressX safe to use?

Yes, CompressX is safe because it operates offline, processing files locally without uploading them to the internet, ensuring your privacy.

Does CompressX work on both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs?

Yes, CompressX is compatible with both Intel-based and Apple Silicon Macs (macOS 13+).

Does CompressX retain image metadata?

Yes, CompressX offers the option to retain image metadata during compression.

Does CompressX offer file size estimation before compression?

Yes, CompressX provides file size estimation. However, these estimations are approximate and actual compressed file sizes may vary.

Final words

Well, if you need a no-nonsense way to compress and convert media, CompressX is a great deal. It does its job so well, and performance isn’t an issue if you have one of the newer Macs. Compared to other file compressors we’ve tested, CompressX stands out for its speed, privacy, and offline capabilities.

For more details, visit CompressX official site.

<p>The post CompressX: MacOS Powerful Offline Media Compression (& Conversion) Tool first appeared on TheSweetBits.</p>

However, organizing these colors, spaces, and some combinations can be tough. Converting colors between formats and color spaces can be challenging if you work with multiple tools like Figma and Photoshop.

This is where Pinwheel comes in and makes things great.

What Does Pinwheel Do?

Pinwheel, developed by Bjango—the company behind the popular iStat Menus app—is designed to be a complete color management tool for professionals working in design, software development, and wherever else they need colors, palettes, and gradients. You can think of it as a space that keeps all your color-related resources organized and easily accessible.

As Pinwheel is designed to work with platforms like Figma, you gain access to a variety of integration-based features. This makes it an invaluable tool for those who require efficient color management across multiple applications.

Core Features

• Pinwheel makes it easy to organize your favorite colors and convert them between color spaces like sRGB, OKLCH, and OKLAB. This is great for those working across multiple tools.
• Color contrast testing on Pinwheel helps you optimize your software UI or web design for accessibility compliance. Through real-time feedback, you can find the WCAG 2 and APCA contrast ratio.
• In addition to working well with tools like Figma, Pinwheel can easily import/export popular formats like Sketch documents, CSS, and asset catalogs.
• Pinwheel also packs multiple utilities that designers would love to have. Many of these features are available through the Command Line as well.
• Bjango, the developer behind Pinwheel, also provides ample resources on color management, color spaces, and organization. Aspiring professionals can count on these resources on any day.

Setup

Something great about Pinwheel is the easy setup. You don’t even have to move the app to the Applications folder on your Mac. Instead, you can open the app from anywhere on your system and use the resources. It also comes with an intuitive UI design, which offers multiple working options as well.

Since Pinwheel ships with some great example sets, including Material Design. You can always use the menu bar options to create a new collection or import something from Figma. Once you set up a color palette for a project, you can use the Test functionality to ensure everything works fine.

If you work with colors one way or another, it doesn’t take a lot to get started with Pinwheel. The overall UI is impressive and has a minimal learning curve, too. Considering the fantastic set of features that Pinwheel is offering, it doesn’t matter if you spend an hour or two on it, either.

Our Take

After going through its feature set, especially organization and automation features, Pinwheel is a fantastic investment for anyone working with too many colors.

One of the standout features of Pinwheel is its ability to create and manage color sets efficiently. Users can easily organize their favorite colors into specific sets, allowing for better consistency across projects. This feature is particularly beneficial for designers who need to maintain a cohesive color scheme throughout their work, making it easier to switch between different projects without losing track of their preferred palettes.

In our experience, the tool was helpful and saved a lot of time that we’d otherwise spend on multiple tools. Its integration with multiple apps is also something we love. So, given the free trial, you should check it out.

Pricing

People at Bjango have made Pinwheel for designers and other professionals. Instead of a subscription plan, it offers a one-time purchase option. You can get it for $25, excluding local taxes.

The best part? Pinwheel is offering a 30-day free trial without any limitations in place. So, you have a month to check all those features you want to use from Pinwheel.

<p>The post Pinwheel: A Productivity Boost for Anyone Working with Colors first appeared on TheSweetBits.</p>

YouTube, for instance, doesn’t allow you to download videos to watch later—unless you are ready to pay a monthly subscription. Even then, you don’t get control over download quality or the ability to play content on other devices.

This is where Pulltube, an online video downloader for Mac, makes all the difference.

What Is Pulltube?

Pulltube is essentially an online video downloader that lets you download video, audio, playlists, and even subtitles from video streaming sites. While it supports many sites, Pulltube offers better compatibility with YouTube, allowing users to download single videos or playlists containing multiple videos.

It also packs some other features that will help content creators and media junkies.

Features Highlight

• Download videos or playlists from 1000+ platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, Instagram, Facebook, SoundCloud, and more.
• Trim video (and audio) before downloading—no need to grab the entire file if you only need a portion.
• Access password-protected videos with the correct credentials.
• Download subtitles for your favorite videos.
• Paste multiple URLs separated by spaces or new lines for batch downloading.
• Convert videos directly to MP3 or M4A with metadata and artwork support.
• Download entire playlists or select specific videos from them.
• Support for 8K, 4K, 60fps, and region-restricted downloads via HTTP/SOCKS proxy.
• Convert WebM VP8/VP9 YouTube videos to MP4 seamlessly during download.
• Use smart browser extensions to skip copy-pasting links.
• Save videos to a “download later” list for convenience.
• Enjoy a gesture-friendly interface for easy navigation.

TheSweetBits Review (personal experience)

I need to download hundreds of videos every month for both work and personal needs. Sometimes, it is for a personal library; sometimes, it’s for a video I’m creating. Either way, I value having a proper workflow that integrates with my Mac and web browser.

Considering that Pulltube claims to offer both, I was excited to test what this video downloader has to offer. For over a couple of years, it has been my go-to YouTube downloader. In this review, I will share how great Pulltube is with other apps and workflows.

While doing so, I will also talk about its performance, speed, and customization features.

Installation and Setup

Setting up Pulltube is a straightforward process, and you can download the installer from the official website. If you are using something like Setapp, the installation does not take more than a few minutes.

I have to add that the installer for Pulltube is around 400 MB, and you need a faster internet connection to get the best out of this tool. Right after the installation, Pulltube shows its fully-fledged interface.

I liked that it doesn’t require any additional permissions. However, it offered to set up web browser add-ons for easy downloads.

In short, installing and setting up Pulltube on a Mac feels like a breeze.

User Interface & User Experience

Unlike the many YouTube downloaders I have come across, Pulltube finds a balance in its UI design. It is not too minimal, nor is it complex. Instead, Pulltube makes it easy for everyone to get started with and master downloading videos from anywhere on the web.

You get three ways to download a video through Pulltube:

1. You can copy the URL of the video and paste it into the Pulltube app. This method allows you to add multiple URLs at once.
2. If you want an easier option, you can drag and drop links from YouTube into the Pulltube app.
3. You can also install a web browser add-on to start a schedule from the browser interface itself.

Something I liked is that the videos don’t need to be from the same website. For instance, you can drag and drop video URLs from YouTube, Vimeo, and Instagram at the same time.

Before you hit Download, you can choose the options for FPS, quality, and subtitles. You can either choose a common setting for all videos or make individual choices. By default, Pulltube will download videos at the highest available quality, going up to 8K.

Once you click the Download button, Pulltube will start downloading the videos and converting them into the format you have selected.

Video Downloads and Conversion

We will now explore the options for downloading and converting videos using Pulltube.

• Downloading Videos

For starters, Pulltube lets you download videos from almost every content-sharing platform you may come across. However, you get maximum control options when downloading videos from Vimeo or YouTube. For instance, you can choose the desired quality for the download—up to 8K. Pulltube also lets you download a video in audio-only mode: either M4A or MP3.

These options are great when you have specific needs, such as downloading music. When you slide right on the task, you also get additional options like Scheduling for later, Copying the video URL, opening the video URL, duplicating the task, and adjusting where Pulltube would save the video.

Notably, if Pulltube detects that a video is part of a playlist, it offers to download the entire collection by fetching data for each entry and managing the downloads consecutively.

Pulltube also offers plenty of control over subtitles and video quality. For one, you can pick the language and format for subtitles. Pulltube can download auto-generated captions or the ones added by the uploader.

When it comes to quality control, you can choose options for FPS and quality. Depending on the video, you’d have two or more options: 30fps and 60fps. Once again, you can select a common quality preference for all pending/scheduled tasks.

When a download is going on, you have a few other options. For instance, you can skip a task or save one of the thumbnails.

• Download Speeds

We tried multiple download quality options through Pulltube, and the results were impressive. The average download speeds from the app seem great, especially when downloading 4K or 8K videos. Because it allows a few options, like saving the thumbnail, while the download is in progress, you may find the process faster than it actually is.

• Built-in Conversion

Pulltube is designed to download videos in the source format. Therefore, you may end up having MKV, FLV, or WebM files. But these formats are not the most compatible options out there. In these instances, a built-in conversion module will help.

However, the conversion module only allows you to choose between two codecs.

The H.264/AVC codec is a great way to ensure compatibility across your Apple devices. It also works through Quick Look.

The H.265/HEVC codec, on the other hand, offers better compression without quality loss. However, it may need additional extensions if you use an older version of macOS.

Overall, the built-in conversion engine is faster and gets the job done.

• Video Trimming

Sometimes, you don’t want the entire YouTube video, right? You may need only a few seconds of content from a video. Normally, you have to download the entire video and trim it afterward. However, Pulltube has a built-in video trimming utility that may help you in this regard.

The steps are simple.

Before you start downloading a video, you can click on the Scissors button next to the thumbnail. It will take you to the Trimming Mode, where Pulltube first offers a preview of the video.

In this step, you can trim the area of the video that you want to download. You also have an option to trim a video by selecting the time frame from the meta-data. It may be a quicker option when you want to get a predefined portion from a video.

This feature alone will help you stay away from wasted resources and time. Because you get to do this from a single tool, that’s one less app in your workflow.

Other Features

Here are some other features I liked on Pulltube:

The Settings pane of Pulltube offers plenty of customization options. For instance, you can change the folder for downloads, choose MP4/M4A bitrate, and control behavior with preferences and video URLs. It also lets you control how Pulltube works with playlist folders, renaming options, and custom filenames.

You also get some scheduling options. For instance, you can ask Pulltube to quit the app when it finishes all downloads. Or, you can open/AirDrop download files instantly. If you already have a workflow, these handy features will make things quicker.

Pulltube offers extensions for Safari, Chrome, and Firefox. The next time you want to download a YouTube video, you can directly launch Pulltube from the right-click menu. You can either start the download instantly or schedule it for later.

Lastly, Pulltube works with proxy servers as well. If you live in an area with no access to YouTube, this option may come in handy.

Overall, the feature set of Pulltube is comprehensive enough to meet your workflow demands. It surely was for me, and that’s one reason Pulltube remains the go-to video downloader most of the time.

Tech Specs, Gestures and Shortcuts

• MacOS 10.13 or higher
• Sequoia Compatible
• Support Vimeo, YouTube, Facebook, Dailymotion, Soundcloud, Instagram, Bandcamp, Cloudmix, IQIY, Youku, Bilibili, and many more.

Pulltube comes with some handy gestures that can save you a few steps around the whole process of downloading videos online.

Here are the list of gestures and shortcuts that you can use for Pulltube.

• Enter/Return — starts download;
• Esc — cancels video data fetching process, or cancel all downloads if you are on a download screen
• Command + V — pastes video link
• Command+ O — shows a menu where you can paste several links that are separated by a space or new line
• Command + , — shows Preferences of the app
• Command + W — closes the main window
• Command + Q — quits the app
• Command+ L — shows the download later list. If you want to add videos to this list, you can use Command+ O and check the download later option at the bottom
• Swipe left/right or Click on the thumbnail — reveal available options for videos

Pricing

Pulltube is a paid app that offers a free trial.

A Standard license for Pulltube will cost you $14.99, and it offers all future updates. You can also get a 15% discount if you go for the Family Bundle, which lets you use up to 6 Macs. You may also want to save money by combining other apps from the developer, such as Shredo. The developer also offers a student discount.

Another easier option is to get the Setapp subscription, whose library includes Pulltube and 200+ other apps.

The Value Proposition

You get the maximum value from Pulltube only if you can integrate it well with your workflow. If you are someone who spends a lot of time downloading videos and using them for editing or other purposes, PullTube integrates well with most workflows.

So, it is a great value proposition indeed, but you have to make sure that you’ll be using most of its features, such as trimming, multiple downloads, and customization options.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Pulltube has an intuitive User Interface design
• Its core features integrate well with most workflows
• The video trimming utility offers immense value for many
• It offers best-in-class video download speed for YouTube

Cons

• Some may find it a little pricey
• It could offer better export (conversion) options

Footer Notes

Pulltube offers a 14-day free trial, giving you full access with no download limits or feature restrictions. The utility can handle videos of any duration or size and integrates with the Notification Center to send completion alerts.

<p>The post Pulltube: The Video Downloader That Checks All the Boxes first appeared on TheSweetBits.</p>

What if you could do the same—and more—on your Mac? Well, this is what PopClip offers.

What Is PopClip?

PopClip is a productivity-focused macOS utility that brings instant text actions across macOS. So, when you select a piece of text, a number of options pop up. These options include Copy, Paste, Dictionary, Translate, etc.

At first glance, PopClip brings instant text actions that you are familiar with on iOS and iPadOS. But you get a ton of customizability that Apple’s built-in features fail to offer. In short, you have complete control over which shortcuts/actions appear when you select text.

Setting Up PopClip

Installing and setting up PopClip doesn’t take more than a few seconds. You can download PopClip from the official website or Setapp. The app has a minimal storage footprint and silently stays on the menu bar. But it may require a few permissions, including Accessibility, during setup. It may require more permissions based on the extensions you install.

Core Features

• Once installed, PopClip works across your Mac whenever you select a piece of text. However, not all text actions may be available on all apps.
• You can choose from 209 extensions in addition to standard text actions. Some of these extensions are dynamic, whereas others lead you to a third-party app or website. For instance, you can set up a Thesaurus extension to lead you to the search results for the selected word/phrase.
• Many of PopClip extensions are customizable to a great extent. For instance, you can set up a desired language for the spell-check extension. Alternatively, the Search extension lets you choose the Search URL you want.
• You get an overview of PopClip and extensions from the menu bar interface. It also lets you modify how extensions and the app behave.
• PopClip offers a well-maintained and growing collection of extensions. You can also develop a custom extension if you are a developer.

PopClip Extensions

Extensions are what make PopClip worthy of all the praise. These extensions allow you to quickly access other apps on your Mac, websites, and services. Here’s a closer look at some of the most notable extension categories:

Text Processing Extensions

When you’re formatting text or editing documents, PopClip saves you time. Instead of navigating through editing menus, you can instantly apply text effects such as bold, italic, and underline with a simple selection. Additionally, you can perform tasks like capitalizing the first letter, adding quotation marks or brackets, and removing extra spaces—all with just a few clicks.

For enhanced reading and studying, PopClip also allows you to highlight text with a single click. It supports popular note-taking and PDF reading apps like Obsidian, Evernote, and PDF Expert.

Translation Extensions

PopClip offers several translation extensions to help users working with foreign languages. For example, the Instant Translate extension allows you to see translations for selected text right on the page without leaving the app. PopClip supports various translation and dictionary services, including Microsoft, Bing, Glosbe, and Online Dictionary, making it a valuable tool for anyone who frequently deals with multilingual content.

Integration with Popular Apps

One of the standout features of PopClip is its ability to integrate with other popular apps. For instance, with the ChatGPT extension, you can quickly generate content or answer questions right from your current context. You can also use PopClip to pull up Apple Maps to search for locations, invoke Downie for video downloads, or add tasks to Todoist—all with a simple text selection.

URL Shortening

If you often share links, PopClip has a handy extension for generating short URLs. Instead of visiting a URL shortening website, you can simply select a long link, and PopClip will automatically create a shorter, shareable version. This feature saves time and keeps your workflow seamless.

Development Extensions

For developers, PopClip offers powerful tools like URL encoding/decoding, IP address lookups for selected website links, and Unix to UTC time conversion. These are just a few examples of how PopClip enhances productivity for technical tasks.

These extensions, and many others, make PopClip an essential tool for a wide range of users—from students and writers to developers and business professionals.

Pricing

PopClip is a paid app that you can purchase for $12. With the Standard License, you get two years of updates. If you need a Lifetime License with free updates for perpetuity, you must pay $25. Note that PopClip is no longer available on the Mac App Store. You can purchase and download the app directly from the official PopClip website or access it through your Setapp subscription.

Summary

Considering the flexibility it offers and the reasonable pricing, PopClip is a great investment for better speed and productivity on your Mac. The ever-growing collection of extensions is another reason to go for it.

<p>The post PopClip: A Super-Customizable Utility for Instant Text Actions Across Your Mac first appeared on TheSweetBits.</p>

PaletteBrain, however, claims to make things right—by letting you get the best out of ChatGPT.

What is PaletteBrain?

PaletteBrain is a versatile app that lets you make the best out of ChatGPT from your Mac. Instead of merely allowing you to access ChatGPT through a separate interface, PaletteBrain makes it possible to access the AI power from any app on your Mac.

It means, among other things, that you don’t have to copy and paste content between multiple apps and the ChatGPT webpage. Let’s say that you are sending a message on LinkedIn and want to make it professional. Instead of copying and pasting the content, you can use PaletteBrain to access ChatGPT just like you access Spotlight or Apple Intelligence.

Features Highlight:

• Run AI commands on any text you select.
• Create custom AI commands and bind them to shortcuts.
• Private between your computer and OpenAI or Azure.
• Manage and keep all your conversations in one place.
• Delete conversations forever, no traces left.
• Unlimited AI using your own OpenAI key.
• Always up to date with the latest AI models.
• Runs in the background, no distractions.

Getting started with PaletteBrain

PaletteBrain is available as a one-time purchase tool. Once you get the license, you need OpenAI API keys to get started. Once you have set up the API key, PaletteBrain lets you access the power of ChatGPT through a number of ways.

One, you can use the fully-fledged window interface that offers a similar way to access ChatGPT. However, you can also explore multiple commands that are not originally available with ChatGPT. Instead, PaletteBrain lets you customize and use these commands with ease.

PaletteBrain: how it works

Here’s how PaletteBrain can help you access ChatGPT from anywhere on your Mac.

• You can launch PaletteBrain from anywhere on your Mac, be it an app or website you have opened on Safari/Chrome. The AI assistant will understand the context and assist you with language, code, etc.
• You can use the text-to-speech feature to have messages read aloud to you. Simply hover over a chat message and click the text-to-speech button.
• When properly configured, PaletteBrain can effectively replace a number of apps/subscriptions, such as Grammarly Pro, DeepL Translate, Jasper AI, ChatGPT Plus, Notion AI, and Raycast Pro. All you need is the license and an active OpenAI API.
• PaletteBrain offers you superior control over AI commands. If you cannot find a suitable AI template, you can create one based on your requirements. You can also assign keyboard shortcuts to these templates.
• You get to deal directly with OpenAI without any middleman. This approach ensures maximum data security and privacy. PaletteBrain does not require a ChatGPT Plus subscription, either. Instead, an API is sufficient.
• The developers behind PaletteBrain offer on-time upgrades and maintenance. They also have plans to integrate more features like AI vision and multi-device sync.

Pricing

PaletteBrain offers a lifetime license that starts at $29. The Personal license allows you to use the app on a single macOS device. If you want to access PaletteBrain from more devices, you can get the Family License, which will set you back at $48.51.

Our notes

Considering its low cost—less than two cups of coffee—PaletteBrain is a worthwhile investment for most users. However, it requires an OpenAI API key, which might be a hurdle for those unfamiliar with API integration. While this adds an extra step, it can actually save you money by eliminating the need for a ChatGPT Plus subscription. The potential of PaletteBrain, considering its promised features, makes it a significant investment.

The developers have also created a feedback community hub to follow the development of PaletteBrain, you can check it here: https://palettebrain.featurebase.app/

<p>The post PaletteBrain: An Easier and Efficient Way to Access ChatGPT from Your Mac first appeared on TheSweetBits.</p>