These 3 free Windows apps saved me from shopping for an MX Master mouse, a monitor, and a webcam

If you’re about to purchase new {hardware} simply to unlock one further characteristic in your PC, maintain off — you would possibly already personal a gadget that does the identical factor with out you even realizing it. I’ve been eyeing a webcam, a second monitor, and an MX Master mouse for some time, however I’ve held off as a result of shopping for all three can be a hefty expense. So I took a step again and questioned if there was one other method. And, because it seems, I managed to save a couple of hundred dollars by repurposing {hardware} I already owned with the assistance of free software program.

Here are the three free apps that saved me from shopping for a webcam, a monitor, and an MX Master mouse.

Kando

How an app changed a mouse — kind of

I’m certain the factor you are most inquisitive about is how an app can substitute a mouse. Well, it will probably’t. But it will probably unlock options that might in any other case require you to purchase a dearer mouse. You see, Logitech’s MX Master mice help Logitech Options+, a companion app that unlocks further options on suitable {hardware}. One of them is Actions Ring, a pie menu that seems round your cursor and allows you to set off shortcuts, launch apps, and management media utilizing your mouse.

I first noticed it at a good friend’s place, the place he was doing virtually all the things on his PC with simply his mouse, whereas sitting comfortably on a settee throughout the room.

Now, if you recognize something about me, you’d know I hate using the keyboard. Partly due to wrist ache, but additionally as a result of working with a keyboard usually means utilizing each arms. I’d a lot moderately preserve one hand on my mouse and the opposite wrapped round a cup of espresso whereas engaged on my PC.

As such, the MX Master mice appeared like resolution, however they had been just a little too costly for my liking. So I regarded for alternate options and finally discovered Kando — a free, open-source pie menu that works with any mouse. In reality, it’s truly more powerful and customizable than Logitech’s Actions Ring.

You can create nested menus and assign all types of actions to particular person menu objects, from launching apps and managing home windows to controlling media, opening browser shortcuts, and working terminal instructions or PowerShell scripts. I configured mine for voice typing, window administration, modifying shortcuts, screenshots, clipboard historical past, my favourite apps, and regularly visited web sites. Now I can entry all of those with just a few fast mouse actions and clicks, with out reaching for the keyboard.

Spacedesk

You would possibly already personal a second monitor with out realizing it

As somebody who opinions apps and tech for a dwelling, I profit from having as a lot display screen actual property as doable. I usually discover myself with 5 or extra home windows open directly: Notion for writing articles, a browser for analysis, Slack for staff chat, a file supervisor for dragging pictures and screenshots into my articles, and whichever app (or apps) I’m testing.

Now, I already personal a 34-inch ultrawide monitor, however even that starts to feel uncomfortably cramped with simply 4 home windows open aspect by aspect. Squeezing in 5 makes all the things claustrophobic. That mentioned, I’m additionally not eager on spending a pair hundred {dollars} on one other monitor.

Fortunately, with a little analysis, I found Spacedesk — a free app that turns an iPad or Android pill (or telephone) right into a secondary show in your Windows PC. All you’ve acquired to do is set up the Spacedesk driver in your Windows PC and the viewer app in your pill, and that’s it. I linked each an iPad and an Android pill to my PC, giving me loads of further display screen area with out spending a dime.

Windows acknowledges the pill as a further show, so you’ll be able to handle it via Settings > System > Display, simply as you’d a daily monitor. Now, Spacedesk helps connections over Wi-Fi or USB, however I did discover occasional lag and stuttering with each. For that motive, I primarily preserve reference supplies and comparatively static apps on my tablets moderately than something that requires fixed interplay. I must also point out that Spacedesk helps contact enter, so you’ll be able to work together with home windows in your pill utilizing its touchscreen, which is all the time good to have.

DroidCam

The finest webcam is already in your pocket

Between consumer conferences and on-line programs, I spend a variety of time on video calls. That mentioned, for probably the most half, I’ve all the time saved my webcam off, primarily as a result of I do not personal one. Eventually, although, that began to really feel just a little unprofessional, so I made a decision to show my smartphone right into a webcam as an alternative. Now, there are many apps for this, however I went with DroidCam. It helps you to use an Android telephone or iPhone as a webcam in your Windows or Linux PC. There’s even an OBS plugin, which is useful in the event you’re into streaming.

The better part is that your smartphone’s digital camera can ship significantly better picture high quality than a typical built-in webcam. DroidCam offers you many choices to fine-tune your footage, together with white steadiness, publicity, and autofocus changes. You can even change between the entrance and rear cameras, dim your telephone’s display screen to save lots of battery whereas streaming, and do loads extra. It may even use your phone as a microphone, which might sound higher than your PC’s default mic.

That mentioned, I ought to point out that DroidCam isn’t fully free — it makes use of a freemium mannequin. The options I’ve talked about can be found at no cost, however some superior choices require a paid improve. These embody 4K recording, remotely controlling your telephone’s digital camera settings out of your laptop, and accessing further cameras in your telephone, such because the ultrawide or telephoto lens, if accessible.

The free model additionally provides a watermark to your video feed, which it’s essential improve to take away. Still, I did not discover it too distracting. The watermark strikes each time you begin a brand new stream, so you’ll be able to restart the stream a few occasions till it lands in a much less noticeable spot. But in the event you’d moderately not take care of it in any respect, you’ll be able to all the time improve to the Pro model. Pricing varies by area, nevertheless it’s roughly $13 as a one-time buy or $5 for a yearly subscription.

When software program turns into proxy {hardware}

Software cannot substitute {hardware} outright. These apps would not do you a lot good in the event you did not already personal a telephone, pill, or mouse to work with. But software program can lengthen the capabilities of the units you already personal, unlocking new options that may prevent from shopping for further {hardware}.

For instance, your telephone already has a digital camera, so why not repurpose it as a webcam, as I did, and even as a safety digital camera? Similarly, a tablet’s screen can double as a dashboard or a digital photo frame — or, in my case, a secondary monitor. With the precise software program, your current units can tackle new roles, doubtlessly saving you from pointless purchases.