Oriel brings iPhone-style Dynamic Island to macOS

A dynamic notch experience

Oriel is a new macOS application designed to turn the physical notch of the laptop screen into a functional interface. The developer used Claude to build and ship the app, which aims to provide a native feel for users who want more utility from their hardware.

The software creates a 'living shape' that sits in the notch. This shape can grow to display various pieces of information or tuck away when it is not being used. It is designed to stay out of the way while remaining accessible for quick interactions.

As reported by orielformac.pages.dev, the app is currently in version 3.0. This update focuses on making the island feel like a real Dynamic Island, similar to what is found on mobile devices. It responds to different apps and system states to provide relevant information in real time.

Deep music and media integration

One of the primary features of Oriel is its heavy focus on music playback. It works with both Apple Music and Spotify, offering a 'big player' that shows album art, volume controls, and output settings. For Apple Music users, it even displays lyrics line by line as they are sung.

The app handles Spotify specifically with several advanced features. If a user signs in, they can see their Liked Songs, view which playlists a track is saved in, and see their real-time queue. It also integrates with Spotify Connect to show if music is playing on an iPhone or another speaker.

Visual elements are also a priority for the music experience. The island can display animated album art that moves in sync with the music. Additionally, it supports Shazam, showing the recognized song in the notch with a one-click option to play it on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Music.

System tools and notifications

Beyond music, Oriel acts as a hub for various system activities and communications. It displays live activities like Pomodoro timers, active downloads, and screen recordings. It even shows ringing calls with buttons to answer or decline them directly from the notch area.

The app handles messages and emails by dropping them into the notch with accompanying photos. Users can reply directly from this interface, and the app syncs with iPhones so that reading a message on one device removes it from the other. It also supports calendar events, allowing users to add items by typing simple commands.

For productivity, the app includes a 'Tools' section. Users can drag and drop files onto the notch to save them for later or AirDrop them. It also provides a clipboard history, a quick note area, and a mirror for active calls to keep information handy.

AI tracking and customization

Oriel includes a specific section for monitoring AI usage limits. It provides a single page where users can see how much of their quota remains for various models, including Claude, Codex, Cursor, Gemini, and Copilot. This dashboard also shows when those limits are set to reset.

The visual style of the app is highly customizable to match the user's preference. It offers several themes, including Black, Glass, Dynamic Black, and Liquid Glass. Some of these themes are designed to tint based on the color of the song currently playing.

The app is built to be respectful of the system's layout. It is programmed to tuck into the notch automatically whenever an app needs to occupy the menu bar. This ensures that the interface remains functional without overlapping other important software elements.

Widgets and future growth

In addition to the core dynamic features, Oriel supports standard widgets. These include common system information like weather, battery levels, and world clocks. It also supports reminders and custom widgets that users can create themselves.

The developer built this version based on direct feedback from the community. The goal was to create a tool that feels like a core part of the macOS experience rather than an afterthought. By focusing on 'native-feeling' interactions, the app seeks to bridge the gap between mobile and desktop UI patterns.

The app continues to expand its capabilities as it moves into version 3.0. By combining media controls, communication tools, and AI management into one small area, it aims to provide a more cohesive way to interact with the Mac's hardware features.

Try it today

You can check out the app's features and visual styles at orielformac.pages.dev to see how it handles different music services and system alerts.

Watch

How the app handles privacy for messages and emails synced between devices.

Whether more third-party apps will receive deep integration with the Oriel island.