- As 2023 draws to a close, we reflect on some of our favorite apps that made everyday life a little easier this year.
- Ivan Mehta’s favorite app is Mimestream, a simple yet great Gmail client with features such as split view, swipe gestures, and additional features including multiple account support and quick labeling.
- Anna Heim loves Tinyview because it allows her to read some of her favorite webcomic strips and also supports the creators by providing them “a real living wage.”
- Natasha Lomas recommends MacroFactor, a dedicated macro tracking app with Zen-like minimalism.
- Lauren Forristal loves Meet My Dog (MMDC) as a new puppy mom because it enables her to set up playdates with other dogs, find nearby group meetups, and share pics of her pup.
- Amanda Silberling can’t do without Libby, an app that allows users to borrow e-books and audiobooks from the library using their library cards.
As 2023 draws to a close, we reflect on some of our favorite apps that made everyday life a little easier this year. While flashy smartphone models and AR glasses were grabbing headlines, sometimes the most useful innovations fly under the radar. The apps on our best-of list may not have arrived in 2023, but they became daily staples that streamlined our work or brought small moments of joy. Read on for the top apps we turned to again and again when we needed to get things done, connect with others or simply have more fun.
Details: A Mac app for Gmail (Mac)
Ivan Mehta picked Mimestream as one of his favorite apps. He has used and reviewed many email clients over the years, and still misses Inbox by Google. Mimestream is a simple yet great Gmail client with features such as split view, swipe gestures, and additional features including multiple account support and quick labeling.
Bonus mentions:
There are also two additional apps that caught our attention as honorable mentions – TCC (a web app for transcription) and Prio (an iOS camera app for pro photography).
Details: Bite-sized comics app that supports their creators (iOS, Android, web)
Anna Heim loves Tinyview because it allows her to read some of her favorite webcomic strips and also supports the creators by providing them “a real living wage.” Paid users get access to bonus panels and more, and they can also support creators by sending them a “cookie”, “coffee”, “art supplies” or “pizza.”
Details: Macro tracking app with minimal cues (iOS, Android)
Natasha Lomas recommends MacroFactor, a dedicated macro tracking app with Zen-like minimalism. It helps users better understand the nutritional slant of what they’re eating and offers custom calorie and macro targets that adapt week to week. While it’s not free, it ensures honest pay and doesn’t sell user data.
Details: Dog social app for pawrents (iOS, Android)
Lauren Forristal loves Meet My Dog (MMDC) as a new puppy mom because it enables her to set up playdates with other dogs, find nearby group meetups, and share pics of her pup. The availability schedule and chat feature also add to its appeal, especially during times when in-person plans are on hold.
Details: Borrow e-books and audiobooks from the library right on your phone (iOS, Android, Web)
Amanda Silberling can’t do without Libby, an app that allows users to borrow e-books and audiobooks from the library using their library cards. It’s made reading 50 books every year possible for her, and sharing a Libby account with a friend adds to the fun.
Details: A third-party client for PlayStation Remote Play (Android)
Kyle Wiggers recommends PSPlay for PlayStation Remote Play, especially for those looking to extend their gaming beyond the confines of their apartment Wi-Fi. Beyond the official Remote Play app, PSPlay offers support for third-party controllers, picture-in-picture mode, and screen capture, making it well worth the $5.99 price.
