Tailscale's new macOS home (tailscale.com)

Article summary

Tailscale, a networking platform, has introduced a new windowed interface for its macOS app to address the issue of its menu bar icon being hidden behind the notch on some MacBooks. The notch can hide menu bar icons when there are too many of them, and Apple does not provide an overflow mechanism. Tailscale's new interface offers a searchable list of devices, easy access to features, and a red dot on the Dock icon to indicate critical errors. The company is also working on a comparable UI for Windows devices.

Main themes

• macOS notch issue
• Menu bar icon overflow
• Tailscale's new interface
• Apple's design decisions
• User experience
• Software development

What commenters say

• The notch on MacBooks can hide menu bar icons, causing frustration for users and developers alike, and Apple should provide an overflow mechanism to address this issue.
• The problem of menu bar icons disappearing is not new and has existed for decades, but the notch has made it more pronounced.
• Some users blame app developers for having too many menu items, while others argue that it's Apple's responsibility to provide a better menu bar design.
• The lack of an overflow menu in macOS is a significant oversight, and third-party solutions like Bartender are not a sufficient substitute.
• Apple's decision to remove system icons from the menu bar and move them to the Control Center has not fully addressed the issue, and more needs to be done to improve the user experience.
• The issue of disappearing menu bar icons affects not only users with poor eyesight but also those who need to use display scaling, and a better solution is needed to accommodate different user needs.
• Some users have found workarounds, such as using command and drag to access hidden icons, but a more elegant solution is needed.
• The problem is not just about the notch, but also about the overall design of the menu bar and the need for a more flexible and user-friendly interface.