Safari extensions that readers and researchers will love

If you own a Mac, you probably use the Apple browser called Safari. While the Mac ecosystem is awesome as a whole, sometimes we run into limitations when it comes to tools and elements. This includes, for example, browser extensions.

These pieces of software were created to make our lives easier and help us be more productive when we navigate, work, play, etcetera. Although many complain about the fact that Safari has much fewer extensions available than its cousins Firefox and Chrome, there are still many options. Apple provides good alternatives when it comes to making Safari a more productive tool. Here is an article for writers, journalists, readers, and researchers that are looking to optimize their performance through Safari extensions.

Reader

Upon its release, this was one of the biggest news in the world of web navigation. In the beginning, this used to be an option only available for Safari providing a cleaning visual of any given website. In other words, it removed all the extra content of the article showing the content as if it were on a blank page. Thus, the reader could concentrate on what he/she needed because all distractions, like advertisements, were removed.

Eventually, there was a version released for Google Chrome called iReader with practically the same options but with certain limitations. For example, when scrolling down the page, the navigation feels a little rough and the transition from the reader to the normal web page is too sudden.

Turn Off the Lights

Journalists and writers will love this addon as it helps them to focus. If you’re watching a YouTube video, for example, this extension will make the background darker. Thus, concentration becomes easier, and your creative process is optimized.

This is also a great option for online workers or students that spend several hours in front of the screen. They will find many advantages in this add-on:

• A better user experience
• Enhanced eyecare
• Improvement of the concentration level
• Optimization of the working/creative process
• Enhanced comprehension
• Possibility to enjoy their favorite movies without distractions

Translator for Internet Pro

When writing an article, a paper, or an essay we need to find information from several sources and sometimes we don’t find them in our native language. Although this doesn’t replace a professional translation, Safari offers an extension that will help you scan the page even if it’s originally in a different language.

Forget about copying and pasting and keeping several tags open. Translation for Internet Pro is a Safari add-on that provides automated and instant translations. Thanks to these features many students and researchers choose Translator for Internet Pro.

Dark Theme

Every day more web pages are adapting to macOS’s dark mode, but until all of them do all we have is this extension. “Dark theme” transfers web pages into a dark mode with a wide array of settings available. For example, you can choose the starting time and the finish time for this model to be applied.

Also, you can set it up in such a way that turning from one mode to the other becomes super easy. As you can see in the following video, you can do it in just two clicks.

Needless to say, this is another great option to take good care of your sight and rest your eyes after many hours in front of the computer. Again, you can use the timer to enable it and disable it automatically.

Instapaper

Did you ever come across a piece of news of the utmost importance, but you just don’t have the time to read it at the moment? Instapaper brings a great solution. This Safari extension allows you to create a reading list and save all the articles for later. Obviously, the list is synchronized across your devices so you can access it on every part of your Mac ecosystem. This is also a great option if you don’t want to spend Internet data when you’re out of Wi-Fi. You also save lots of time by not having to search for the articles all over again.

Haste

If you’re a researcher, you probably use search engines. With Haste, you can continue with the same search on several engines at the same time. Choose what platforms to use and what categories to enter to get the best result possible.

The auto-complete feature is quite useful and allows you to add, remove or edit customized searches. A great option to save time and still get the best results.

LINER

Optimize your research process by highlighting the most important parts of a web page. In the same way that you used to print a document and take notes to pass them on to a friend, Liner helps you share your comments. This time, the process is 100% digital and allows you to share whatever fragment has caught your attention. Being on the same line with collaborators, colleagues, and friends has never been easier. Also, students will be able to print the pages directly with their highlights and personal notes.

To sum up, Safari may not be the most comprehensive solution when it comes to extensions, but it does have good options and a reliable ecosystem. Supported by Mac, any of these options will help you in your writing process or make the reading experience far more enjoyable.