Various actions out of the box. You can add calendar appointments and reminders and set a timer. You can send text messages or start a FaceTime call. You can even set dedicated keyboard shortcuts for any of these actions.
So far, this is also the exact type that Raycast does. The difference is one of the implementations. Apple’s approach is currently only used with Mac applications that implement Spotlight functionality. For the moment, it’s basically limited to Apple’s own tools, but that’s going to change. Third-party apps will also be able to add actions that can be performed from the spotlight, according to Apple’s demo for developers. I can’t find any non-Apple apps that currently implement this feature, but I’m sure this will change as we get closer to fall.
Justin pot
At the same time, Raycast can be enhanced with user-built extensions, which you can easily install from the built-in store. This has a downside, mainly, if you want to connect to the application, you have to install and configure the extension yourself. However, this is not difficult – the built-in store offers hundreds of extensions, and you can install them with some keystrokes. These extensions can also connect to any service, not just services with Mac apps, which means supporting web-only services like Google Docs. Many of these extensions offer features that don’t get people’s attention, such as custom menu bar icons like calendar dates or Spotify’s currently playing songs. I can continue; Raycast’s approach is more flexible.
Now, for power users, I think Raycast is a better choice. However, this may change as more apps add support for the spotlight, especially given that users don’t need to install anything or set up anything to get new features in Spotlight.
Actual clipboard manager
Windows has a clipboard manager for many years – just press Windows-V You will see a list of everything you have recently copied. There are always many third-party apps that provide you with a more powerful clipboard on your Mac, including Raycast.
The new MacOS update adds this feature to the spotlight, allowing you to easily go back and find what you copied earlier today. This is a feature you didn’t realize you needed before you started relying on it, and I’m glad that Macos finally offers it.
What spotlights does Raycast have
Justin pot
With these new features, Spotlight is more powerful than before, but it’s not a one-to-one ray playback replacement. At this point, the biggest advantage Raycast has is Everlight, which is the Raycast Store, which makes the launcher compatible with long-standing applications and services.
But there are other features. Raycast manages Windows, allowing you to set keyboard shortcuts, such as docking a window to the left or right of the screen. It has a built-in summary manager that lets you save things you find yourself replaying continuously, so you can quickly paste them. There is also a dispersed blocker tool called Focus. Over the years, Raycast has added features from various previously popular dedicated software, and Apple is unlikely to replicate all of them.
From their perspective, the Raycast team is not worried about the spotlight of new improvements. The company’s CEO Thomas Paul Mann said in a post on X that the new feature will provide users with apps like Raycast. “People will encounter restrictions and want to get more information from the launcher, which is where we step in,” he wrote.
I’m not sure how real this is, but I’m looking forward to seeing everything go. I’ll probably use both options for a while and see which option I like.
