As 2023 comes to a close, we’re thinking about some of our favorite apps that have made everyday life a little easier this year. While flashy new AI applications and competing social networks have been making headlines, sometimes the most useful innovations fly under the radar. The apps on our best list may not have arrived in 2023, but they became everyday staples that made our work easier or brought small moments of joy. Read on to learn about the top apps we turn to time and time again when we need to get things done, connect with others, or just have a little more fun.
maystream
details: Mac app for Gmail (Mac)
Who chose him: Evan Mehta
Why is it preferred: I’ve used and reviewed many email clients over the years. I still lament the fact that Inbox by Google no longer exists. Mimestream is a simple but great Gmail client, designed by former Apple engineer Neil Jhaveri. The app has a split view to allow me to quickly see the email content. Additionally, swipe gestures allow me to quickly archive or delete emails from my inbox queue.
There are also additional features including multi-account support, an additional menu bar, Gmail aliases, and quick sorting (which I found useful for categorizing emails).
Bonus mentions: Audipen (audio transcription web app), Obscura (iOS camera app for professional photography)
Tyneview
details: A small comic app that supports creators (iOS, Android, web)
Who chose him: Anna Heim
Why is it preferred: Let’s be honest: If I started using Tinyview, it’s because it allows me to read some of my favorite webcomics — Itchy Feet, Fowl Language, and The Can Talk — in a convenient, easy-to-navigate format. But over time, I’ve learned that it makes authors happy too, as someone pointed out On ThanksgivingThey earn a “real living wage,” much more than they do through Patreon or book sales.
The app is free, but paid users get access to reward boards and more. Besides additional content, paying for the app is also a way to support creators. If you particularly enjoyed one of the comics, you can also share the ‘love’ on a one-by-one basis by sending them a ‘cookie’, ‘coffee’, ‘art supplies’ or ‘pizza’, each corresponding to a different tip level . .
Macro Factor
details: Macro tracking app with minimal cues (iOS, Android)
Who chose him: Natasha Lomas
Why is it preferred: This is actually the first (dedicated) macro tracking app I’ve used – I found it through a recommendation from climbing experts Hopper beta – So I can’t speak to how it compares to the rest of the market. But I appreciate its Zen-like simplicity. If you’re looking for a no-nonsense tool that won’t bombard you with annoying notifications but will help you better understand the nutritional orientation of what you eat, you can’t go wrong with MacroFactor.
Warning: It’s not free (there’s a short free trial) so you’ll have to pay for a subscription. But honest work deserves honest pay, they say. And you can rest assured that your data will not be sold to Mark Zuckerberg. Setup is simple: just answer a few basic questions about your body composition and training regimen, set a weight loss goal (if you’re already aiming to lose weight; I was more interested in understanding my macronutrient intake), and the app will create custom calorie goals. And the kidneys, which adjust from week to week according to your weight. The food logging interface is also decent, with cute icons that add a Pokemon-style “got to catch them all” touch to prompt you to change what you want. ‘Re eating. Balanced diets FTW!
MMDC (MeetMyDog Challenge)
details: Dog social app (iOS, Android)
Who chose him: Lauren Forrestal
Why is it preferred: As a new puppy mom, finding other dogs with the same temperament as my rambunctious dachshund can be difficult. Many of the dogs in my neighborhood are large, older dogs who don’t necessarily want to play with a speedy little machine with short, jumping legs. MMDC allows me to set up playdates with other puppies, find close group meetups and share photos of my pup in her new raincoat (she absolutely hates that).
My favorite feature is the availability chart so everyone can see which days we are free. While this new Canine respiratory diseases I’ve put a lot of personal plans on hold, and MMDC is also great for chatting online with other users who I can connect with through our amazing girlfriends.
Libyan
details: Borrow eBooks and audiobooks from the library directly on your phone (iOS, Android, web)
Who chose him: Amanda Silberling
Why is it preferred: Every time I meet someone new and know they like to read, I ask them if they have a libbe. Since the start of the pandemic, I’ve read at least 50 books a year, and I couldn’t do it (or possibly afford it) without Libby. The app allows you to connect your library cards (yes, cards, plural—don’t ask about my moral dilemmas about having multiple library cards), and then you can search for books to borrow as e-books or audiobooks. If you borrow an eBook, you can sign in to your Amazon account and have the books sent directly to your Kindle device. It’s easy, breezy and beautiful, Libby. Bonus recommendation: Share Libby’s account with a friend and judge each other on all the crazy things you read.
PS Play
details: Third-party client for PlayStation Remote Play (Android)
Who chose him: Kyle Wagers
Why is it preferred: That’s why I’m very I’m late to the party, but my partner and I have just started using the PlayStation 5’s Remote Play feature — a real godsend on those days when our bed looks more inviting than the sofa. Because the PS5 is in the living room and we don’t want to move. In anticipation of traveling around the holiday season, I’ve been looking for ways to take remote play beyond the confines of our apartment’s Wi-Fi network, and the processes seem a bit complicated, to say the least.
PSPlay makes it easy – it’s remote play on the go, as advertised. What’s more, it offers features that Sony’s official Remote Play app doesn’t, like support for third-party controllers, picture-in-picture mode, and screen capture — making it worth the $5.99 price.