I recently discovered a Mac application that places volume and brightness sliders along the edges of your MacBook's touchpad.

      Forget about the function keys; the edges of your trackpad now handle everything.

      Your MacBook includes dedicated keys for adjusting volume and brightness, making those actions straightforward. However, during nighttime or while watching a favorite movie on Netflix, reaching for those keys can mean missing crucial moments.

      While these may seem like minor inconveniences, they accumulate over time, and I appreciate apps that can help alleviate them. Today, I want to introduce an app that addresses this issue by adding volume and brightness sliders to your MacBook’s trackpad.

      What is Slidr?

      Slidr is a simple menu bar application for Mac that transforms the edges of your trackpad into gesture zones. By sliding along the right edge, you can control the volume. Sliding along the left edge allows you to adjust brightness. It even displays the same native macOS HUD that appears with keyboard shortcuts, making it feel like a native part of the system.

      Setting it up is quick as well. Simply download the app, move it to the Applications folder, and give it Accessibility permissions to recognize your trackpad gestures. In no time, you’ll be sliding your way to adjustments. For even faster app installation, check out the Supercharge app that allows for installation with just a double-click.

      What additional features does it offer?

      In addition to its main functionality, Slidr provides a range of useful features. You can perform a 3-finger tap for a middle-click, which is useful for opening links in new tabs. There’s a Fine Control mode for making gradual adjustments to volume and brightness, and you can switch which edge controls which function if you prefer having brightness on the right.

      It also includes a Bottom Quarter mode to restrict gestures and prevent unintended activations, along with a Cursor Freeze feature to keep your pointer steady while making adjustments. During my testing, there were instances of accidental gesture activation, but it was easily resolved by adding a modifier key.

      While apps like BetterTouchTool and Swish provide similar features, they require more complex setups and are pricier because they offer a wider range of functionalities. However, if you already have those apps, there’s no need to purchase Slidr.

      Slidr requires macOS 13 Ventura or later, and you can test it for free for three days before making a decision. After that, it’s a one-time fee of $4.99 to unlock it permanently, with no subscriptions involved.

      Rachit is an experienced technology journalist with over a decade of experience covering the consumer tech market.

      These are the compact printers I would genuinely recommend for back-to-school.

      From dorm paperwork to instant selfie prints, there’s a small printer suitable for every need.

      It’s all digital until you encounter the one professor who insists on a printed essay, or the lease that requires your signature in ink, or a photo you want to post on your dorm wall. That's when you realize you no longer own a printer, and the nearest option is a library machine with a long line.

      I've reviewed four compact printers that address this problem without monopolizing your desk space or breaking the bank. Two are designed for documents, one is a full-featured all-in-one for actual home office tasks, and one is unrelated to schoolwork but perfect for turning your camera roll into tangible prints.

      Shopping for back-to-school? Here are the webcam lights I would actually use before a Zoom call.

      From a budget-friendly clip light to a full desk setup, there’s a webcam light available at every price point.

      With online classes, group project meetings, and the occasional job interview via Zoom, your webcam will be working much harder in school than it did at home. Unfortunately, most laptop cameras struggle in low light, and having just one overhead light or a window behind you can turn every video call into a challenge of "can you see me clearly?"

      A good webcam light can resolve that issue faster than rearranging your entire desk. I’ve selected five options, starting with the most affordable and progressing to one that’s over the top for a Zoom call but still worth knowing.

      Google Chrome could soon allow translations of pages directly within Reading Mode.

      However, not everyone has access to it yet, even on the Canary version.

      Chrome's Reading Mode has recently introduced a new button in its settings menu. Google is discreetly testing a translation option for this feature in Chrome Canary, the browser’s experimental channel where new features appear before they’re ready for frequent use.

      What functionality does this new translation button provide?