Tapestry is a new, minimalist menubar app for macOS designed to declutter and streamline your menu bar. It allows users to hide less-frequently used menu bar icons, organizing them into a customizable dropdown menu accessible with a single click. This helps keep the menu bar clean and focused while still providing quick access to all your apps and utilities. Tapestry offers granular control, allowing you to choose exactly which icons to hide and the order they appear in the dropdown. It also boasts smart features like automatic hiding of rarely used icons and the ability to pin favorites for constant visibility.
The application "Tapestry," developed by Iconfactory, presents itself as a novel approach to visual bookmarking, specifically tailored for design inspiration. Departing from the conventional folder-based organization of traditional bookmarking tools, Tapestry employs a visually-driven system where saved images take center stage. These images, referred to as "Threads," are not merely stored but are dynamically displayed, forming an interconnected tapestry of visual ideas.
Tapestry emphasizes ease of use and rapid access. Users can swiftly capture inspiration from the web by employing a browser extension or by directly dragging and dropping images into the application. This streamlined workflow facilitates a fluid process of gathering and curating visual references. The visual nature of Tapestry allows users to intuitively browse their saved images, offering a more engaging and immediate experience than navigating through nested folders and textual descriptions.
Beyond simple collection, Tapestry facilitates the organization and contextualization of saved visuals. Users can categorize their inspiration by assigning tags to images, enabling efficient searching and filtering. Further enhancing organization, Tapestry allows the grouping of images into "Collections," which function as thematic repositories for related visuals. This combination of tagging and collections provides a flexible and robust system for managing even extensive libraries of visual inspiration.
Tapestry promotes a seamless flow between inspiration gathering and creative execution. The application allows for direct export of images or collections, simplifying the process of incorporating saved visuals into design projects. This integration of collection and utilization makes Tapestry a valuable tool for designers seeking to translate their visual inspiration into tangible creations.
Furthermore, Tapestry is designed to be platform-agnostic, synchronizing seamlessly across macOS, iPadOS, and iOS devices. This cross-platform compatibility ensures that users can access their curated visual libraries from anywhere, promoting a continuous flow of inspiration regardless of location or device. Finally, while the application is commercially available as a one-time purchase, a free trial is offered to allow prospective users to explore its features and assess its suitability for their workflow. This trial period provides an opportunity to experience the unique approach to visual bookmarking that Tapestry offers.
Summary of Comments ( 43 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42936650
HN commenters generally expressed positive sentiment towards Tapestry, praising its clean design, speed, and focus on privacy. Several appreciated the lack of algorithmic feeds and the chronological presentation of followed accounts. Some compared it favorably to Twitter, finding it a refreshing alternative. The pricing model, a one-time purchase, also received positive feedback, with some expressing willingness to pay even more. A few commenters raised concerns, including the potential difficulty of attracting a large user base and the lack of a web interface. Others questioned the long-term viability of a small, independent social network. The overall tone, however, leaned towards cautious optimism about Tapestry's potential to offer a calmer, more user-focused social media experience.
The Hacker News post titled "Tapestry by Iconfactory" (https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42936650) generated a moderate amount of discussion, with a focus on the app's pricing model, its niche appeal, and comparisons to existing social media platforms.
Several commenters expressed concern about the $20/year subscription fee. Some felt this price was too high for a relatively simple photo-sharing app, particularly when compared to free alternatives like Instagram. Others questioned the value proposition, wondering if the features justified the cost. One user explicitly stated they would not pay for the app, suggesting the developers might consider a one-time purchase option. The recurring cost was a significant sticking point for several potential users.
The discussion also touched upon the target audience for Tapestry. Some commenters felt the app appealed to a specific demographic, likely those seeking a more curated and less chaotic social media experience than what's offered by mainstream platforms. This more focused approach was seen as a positive by some, while others questioned the potential for growth and broader adoption.
Comparisons were drawn to other existing platforms. Instagram, in particular, was frequently mentioned, with commenters debating the relative merits and drawbacks of each. Some saw Tapestry as a potential alternative to Instagram's increasingly complex and ad-driven environment. The decentralized nature of Tapestry, allowing users to host their own data, was also highlighted and compared to the centralized model of mainstream platforms.
A few commenters expressed interest in the technical aspects of the app, inquiring about the underlying technologies used and the implications of self-hosting. There was also a brief discussion regarding the Iconfactory's history and reputation, with some expressing confidence in the company's track record.
While not overwhelmingly active, the comment section provides a range of perspectives on Tapestry, primarily focusing on its pricing, target audience, and comparison to existing social media platforms. The recurring subscription fee emerged as a prominent concern for many commenters.