5 app recommendations in February 2022

Since last summer there has been a monthly tradition here at Sir Apfelot: I present five Mac apps that you can use for various jobs, hobbies and tasks in everyday life. From system tools to creative programs to software for easier work, there is a lot. But it can also be about the management of the music collection, relaxation and data security. Just look at the previous posts (June, July, August, September, October, November, December and January) as well as in the following prepared list with app recommendations for the Apple Mac. Then you will surely find something that makes your time on the computer easier, more relaxed, more productive or safer :)

1. SF symbols

Apple's own "SF Symbols" app provides over 3.300 symbols in the San Francisco font that are used in the various systems for Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Co. The free icon and pictogram library is free and will help you with various tasks. Do you want to add icons to an app, write instructions with app icons, highlight your folders with corresponding images, or otherwise use imagery to draw attention to certain functions and content? Then the current version SF Symbols 3.2 (works from macOS 10.15 Catalina) could be the right thing for you.

• Name: SF Symbols
• Category: Symbol Table
• Price: free
• Details and download: Website

2. Monitor Control

If you use an external display, i.e. a monitor, on the Mac and especially on the iMac or MacBook, it may be necessary to set it up properly. Resolution, coloring, brightness, volume of the loudspeakers and much more can be calibrated - if the right tools are at hand. MonitorControl is such a tool and helps you to adjust the settings of the external display to your liking. You can download the app for free from GitHub for Intel Macs and models with Apple silicon (M1 chip) download. You can already make some settings via a symbol in the menu bar, in the app window there is much more possible (see screenshot).

• Name: MonitorControl
• Category: Tools
• Price: free
• Details and download: GitHub

3. Kilobeats (and Looking Glass)

If you have a local music collection, for example many folders with .mp3, .FLAC– or other audio files, iTunes and the Music app are not always the best choices for playback. Alternatively, you can use Kilobeats for Mac models with macOS 11 Big Sur or newer. This minimally designed player lets you play music quickly and easily while showing the album art in the dock. The Looking Glass app comes from the same developer, Marco Albera. This is ideal if you stream music via the music app and want to display the current title in the menu bar. You can also access more information and the title rating from the menu bar icon.

• Name: Kilobeats
• Category: Music Player
• Price: free
• Details and download: App Store

4.Screenshot Creator

If you are a developer and want to present apps as beautifully and meaningfully as possible in the App Store or on your own website, then the Screenshot Creator app is worth a look. The software helps you to set screenshots of your iPhone and iPad apps as mockups in corresponding device images and also to add text for further descriptions. The created graphics can then be used in the ideal size for use in the Apple App Store for iOS and iPadOS. The app can be tested for free, but it comes with a watermark. This disappears when you decide to subscribe. macOS 10.12 Sierra or newer is required.

• Name: Screenshot Creator
• Category: Graphics editing
• Price: subscription for 5,99 euros per month or 11,99 euros per year
• Download: App Store
• More deets: Website

5. ClearVPN

A VPN is interesting for both professional use and private users. You can use it to bypass geo-restrictions to browse website content and media from other countries, use foreign streaming services, hide your IP when downloading torrents, and generally protect online activities. ClearVPN not only offers the whole thing with a few clicks and by means of useful shortcuts via the menu bar icon. The app will also be in the Setapp-Package offered with over 230 other full versions of Mac apps. Setapp is ad-free and only costs a small monthly subscription fee. There are apps from all areas - we at Sir Apfelot are big fans!

• Name: ClearVPN
• Category: Virtual Private Network
• Price: with a Setapp subscription for only 9,99 euros (incl. 230+ additional full app versions)
• Details and download: Setapp

Setapp offers over 230 full versions of the app at a low subscription price

MacPaw's Setapp offers more than our previous app recommendations combined. Because the software subscription brings you more than 8,99 apps as a full version with all updates and without advertising on the Mac from $230 per month. You only install Setapp for the time being and then look for exactly the apps from the overview that appeal to you. On the Website of the offer you will already find all titles from the categories Maintenance, Lifestyle, Productivity, Mac Hacks, Developer Tools, Task Management, Writing & Blogging, Education, Creativity and Personal Finance listed. CleanMyMac X is there as well as VPN, news, graphics, video, text, multimedia and other solutions. Check it out ;)

Johannes Domke

After graduating from high school, Johannes completed an apprenticeship as a business assistant specializing in foreign languages. But then he decided to research and write, which resulted in his independence. For several years he has been working for Sir Apfelot, among others. His articles include product introductions, news, manuals, video games, consoles, and more. He follows Apple keynotes live via stream.