Mac Notification Center: Widgets, Scripts & Notifications
The Introduction of Notification Center in Mac OS X Yosemite
With the release of Mac OS X 10.10 Yosemite, Apple unveiled a redesigned Notification Center. This new feature was conceptually aligned with the notification system already present in iOS, aiming to consolidate information in a unified space.
The primary function of this updated center is to aggregate both interactive widgets and a historical record of notifications. This provides users with quick access to relevant information and past alerts.
Extensibility and Customization
Beyond its core functionality, the Yosemite Notification Center possesses a degree of extensibility. Users can enhance its capabilities through the implementation of scripts.
This expansion is typically achieved via the utilization of third-party applications, which allow for the introduction of custom features and functionalities not natively supported by the operating system.
Essentially, these applications empower users to tailor the Notification Center to their specific needs and workflows.
Utilizing the Notification Center
The Notification Center can be readily accessed by clicking the icon situated in the top-right corner of your screen. This icon is located on the extreme right of the menu bar. Alternatively, a two-finger swipe originating from the right edge of your Mac’s trackpad will also reveal the center.
To dismiss the Notification Center, simply click anywhere outside of its boundaries. It will then automatically retract from view.
Currently, a default keyboard shortcut for directly opening the Notification Center does not exist. However, a custom shortcut can be configured.
To establish a personalized keyboard shortcut, navigate to System Preferences (accessible via the Apple menu > System Preferences). Then, select the Keyboard preference pane, followed by the Shortcuts tab. Within Mission Control, you will find the option to define a shortcut for "Show Notification Center."
The Today View and its Widgets
For reference, consider exploring 8 Navigation Tricks Every iPad User Needs to Know. The "Today" view is a standard feature of the notification center on macOS, functioning similarly to the Today view accessible by swiping down on an iPhone or iPad.
This view presents a collection of informational modules. These include options like Today, Social feeds (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Messages), Calendar events, Stock market data, Weather forecasts, a Calculator, a World Clock, and iTunes information.
Understanding Today Extensions
It’s important to note that these aren’t technically widgets in the traditional sense. They are designated as "Today extensions."
These extensions enhance the Today view within the notification center by providing additional, readily available information. Consequently, they are managed within the Extensions pane of System Preferences.
Configuring Individual Widgets
To customize a specific widget, simply position your mouse cursor over it. An information ("i") icon will then become visible.
Clicking this icon allows you to access and modify the widget’s settings. For instance, you can adjust the locations displayed by the Weather widget or select the specific stocks shown in the Stocks widget. This configuration must occur in the standard widget view, not the editing mode.
Managing Displayed Widgets
To control which widgets are visible, select the "Edit" button located at the bottom of the screen.
Widgets can be rearranged by dragging and dropping them. Adding or removing widgets is accomplished using the plus and minus buttons. The order of widgets in the list can also be adjusted through dragging.
The available widget list includes both Apple’s native offerings and those provided by third-party applications installed on your Mac. It is anticipated that an increasing number of Mac applications will incorporate Today extensions in the future.
Notifications
Accessing the Notifications tab presents a compilation of recent Mac notifications. These are organized according to the application from which they originated.
This feature provides a convenient method for reviewing notifications that may have been overlooked – including messages, emails, and alerts from various applications.
Related: How to Manage Notifications on iPhone and iPad
Notification customization is achievable by clicking the gear icon located at the bottom of the notifications list. Alternatively, open System Preferences and select Notifications.
Within these settings, you can manage the order in which applications appear, the types of notifications they are permitted to display, and the maximum number of notifications shown in the center.
A "Do Not Disturb" mode is available to suppress notifications. This can be scheduled to automatically activate outside of working hours, for instance.
This prevents interruptions from work-related communications during personal time.
A quick toggle for "Do Not Disturb" mode is also present at the top of the Today view.
Leveraging Today Scripts for Enhanced Functionality
The notification center on macOS offers significant potential for customization. The Today Scripts application, for instance, enables the execution of scripts and the presentation of their results directly within the Today pane as widgets.
This capability can be utilized for a diverse range of tasks, including displaying RSS feed updates, verifying server availability, monitoring resource-intensive processes, and showcasing storage capacity.
Getting Started with Today Scripts
To begin, navigate to the Today Scripts project page on GitHub. Installation is straightforward, and once completed, a collection of example scripts is available.
These scripts serve as both inspiration and readily usable components that can be copied and implemented with minimal effort.
- Explore the available scripts for ideas.
- Adapt existing scripts to your specific needs.
- Create your own scripts to display custom information.
The application allows for the display of data sourced from the internet, as well as system-level statistics originating from your Mac.
The Evolution of Widgets on macOS
The widgets accessible through the notification center represent a marked improvement over the previous dashboard implementation. The dashboard presented widgets within a full-screen environment, which proved less convenient.
Consequently, with the release of Mac OS X Yosemite, the traditional dashboard interface was hidden by default, signaling a shift towards the more accessible notification center widgets.
Today Scripts provides a powerful way to extend the functionality of this notification center, offering a flexible and efficient means of accessing important information.