Hoy integra AirDrop, Loom y mensajes de voz en la barra de menú de Mac.

      The pre-release application allows Mac users to share files, voice notes, and screen recordings all in one place, eliminating the need to switch between different tools.

      Hoy aims to make sending items from your Mac feel as effortless as placing a document on someone's desk. Rather than launching a separate application, you simply drag the file onto the person’s face displayed in the menu bar.

      The pre-release Mac app combines file-sharing, voice notes, and screen recording into a single, streamlined interface. The person you are sending something to effectively serves as a shortcut, making Hoy feel less like another messaging app and more like a communication layer integrated into macOS.

      How Hoy Functions

      When someone joins a channel, Hoy displays their avatar in the menu bar of your Mac. You can drag a file onto their icon, click to type a message, or record a voice note without needing to first open a full conversation window.

      Hoy

      For screen recording, it follows a similar approach. Hoy can capture your screen along with an optional camera bubble, allowing you to send the recording directly to the recipient.

      This places it in a convenient space between quick sharing and asynchronous feedback. While AirDrop remains the go-to option for nearby sharing, Hoy is designed for situations where the person is far away, working remotely, or checking in later.

      Why iCloud Handles the Backend

      Hoy does not operate its own content server for messages or recordings. All transfers occur via Apple’s CloudKit, with each channel linked to the host's iCloud account.

      This arrangement has a practical downside: larger files and recordings count against the host's iCloud storage limit. Hoy claims it cannot access the content within those channels, and voice transcription is performed locally on the Mac.

      Hoy

      Describing Hoy as serverless would be somewhat misleading. While the app avoids maintaining its own messaging infrastructure, Apple's systems are doing significant work behind the scenes.

      Who Would Benefit from Hoy

      The main hurdle lies in persuading users to install it. Messages already handle many of the same basic functions on every Mac, so Hoy needs to prove its worth by making routine exchanges noticeably quicker.

      Currently, its strongest appeal is likely to small remote teams that need to send quick feedback and screen recordings during the day. The free tier offers three hosted channels, making it easy to try out without a long-term commitment.

      A companion app for iPhone is expected later this year. Until then, Hoy's success will depend on whether adding people directly to the menu bar simplifies communication enough to become a habitual practice.

      Paulo Vargas is an English major who transitioned into a reporter and later a technical writer, with a career that has always circled back to...

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