{"id":97591,"date":"2025-08-07T08:55:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-07T13:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/?p=97591"},"modified":"2025-08-04T14:06:11","modified_gmt":"2025-08-04T19:06:11","slug":"bloom-blows-away-the-finder-with-innovative-power-user-features","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/97591-bloom-blows-away-the-finder-with-innovative-power-user-features\/","title":{"rendered":"Bloom Blows Away the Finder with Innovative, Power User Features"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Let\u2019s be honest: Aside from incremental updates and a new splash of paint from time to time, the macOS Finder has more or less remained the same since the debut of Mac OS X. (Some might argue that the Finder has regressed since that point, but I digress.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the one hand, familiarity makes for convenience. That the Finder has behaved largely the same since the inception of the Mac is a testament to its usability. But as familiar as the Finder is, it can be somewhat limiting for more demanding users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the years, there have been many third party applications that attempt to improve (or outright replace) the Finder\u2019s functionality, with varying degrees of success. I have tried most of them, including PathFinder, TotalFinder, and the like. These applications offer several useful features, but at their core, remain similar to what we already have in the Finder. They weren’t really my cup o’ whisky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bloom<\/a> is a relatively new entry in this arena. Like the aforementioned apps, Bloom promises a \u201crefined Finder experience, reimagined for productivity\u201d. That\u2019s a bold claim, and one that I decided to test out for myself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Bloom includes multiple window pane views. Here is a two column window pane layout. On the left is the side bar, and on the right is the Preview bar.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Bloom\u2019s layout includes a familiar sidebar on the left, window pane(s) in the middle, and a Preview sidebar on the right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Looks familiar, doesn’t it?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In its most basic single pane configuration, Bloom resembles the Finder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Bloom includes 10 built-in window pane layout options.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But, unlike the Finder, Bloom allows for multi-pane layouts within one<\/em> window. For example: one Bloom window can contain two horizontal panes, three stacked vertical panes etc. Bloom includes 10 different multi-pane layouts, so you can pick the one you prefer the most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
One window, three panes (stacked). Try doing that, Finder!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Having one window with three vertically stacked panes is incredibly convenient for moving or copying files between different locations. Instead of opening two or three separate Finder windows, you can simply open up one Bloom window and see all three panes, each with their own specific path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Bloom in a vertical 3-stack pane configuration. Selecting a text file will show its preview.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Selecting a folder in Bloom will show a list of that folder’s contents. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Select an image and optionally choose from one of the included Actions (located in the Preview pane).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When a folder is selected in the active window pane, the Preview sidebar shows a list of the folder\u2019s contents, the path, and a set of Actions (Send to, Compress, and Share). When selecting a file, Bloom will show you a preview of the content, its path and a set of Actions associated with the file. For example, when a JPG image is selected, you can choose additional Actions to convert the file to PNG, WebP or rotate the file.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Bloom’s Portal window lets you see your working directory. You can pin it to have it float above your other application windows.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you prefer a more compact view, Bloom offers Portal: a Bloom window without the sideBar or preview. It can be pinned to the top, so that you have quick access to your working directory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Bloom lets you save Workspaces. I have a Workspace for each common task I perform.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

My favorite Bloom feature is its ability to save Workspaces. For example, when I\u2019m writing reviews for RocketYard, I prefer a 3-pane vertical stack, with the top pane showing my Desktop<\/strong>, the middle pane showing my To Do<\/strong> folder, and the bottom pane showing my Completed Reviews<\/strong> folder. When I\u2019m preparing Youtube videos, I have another saved Workspace that includes a 3 pane vertical stack with the associated folders I frequently use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Making a Saved Workspace is really easy in Bloom. Select your layout, give the Workspace a name, and choose the paths for each pane. That’s it!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If I need to switch tasks, I simply select the appropriate saved Workspace from Bloom\u2019s Sidebar, and I\u2019m ready to work. Bloom’s Saved Workspaces<\/strong> is an incredible time-saver!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Pick a color and your Bloom window will change accordingly. Try that, Finder!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Bloom in red.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Bloom also includes color customization options. Pick from one of the assorted colors (or choose your own using Bloom\u2019s color picker), and your Window pane changes its color accordingly. Try doing that in the macOS Finder!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If that weren\u2019t enough, Bloom includes useful search tools. Hit Command-Shift-Return to navigate to another location on your Mac, or simply hit the Tab key in Bloom to bring up the same search window. Pressing Command-F will let you search for a specific file in your current folder location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I find Bloom (currently at version 1.34) to be incredibly useful. What\u2019s included works really, really well. There\u2019s a high degree of polish, and I have yet to run into any rough edges or quirks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For future versions, I would like Bloom to include an option to see my local network in the Sidebar. I also think it would be great if each Saved Workspaces could include a specific Window pane color. For example, a purple Bloom window could indicate that I\u2019m in my Writing workspace, while a green window could indicate that I\u2019m in my Video Editing workspace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For all this added functionality and power, Bloom is blazingly fast and light on memory usage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bloom<\/a> is compatible with macOS 14 and up. The developer offers a 7-day trial to see if it\u2019s right for you. Bloom<\/a> costs $15 as a one-time purchase, and can be installed on up to 3 Macs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does Bloom live up to its billing a refined Finder experience?<\/em> Yes, it most certainly does. I\u2019ll go on record and state that Bloom is several orders of magnitude more powerful than the Finder. Apple, take notes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As familiar and beloved as the macOS Finder is, it can be somewhat limiting for more demanding users. That’s where Bloom steps in.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":286,"featured_media":97623,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"spay_email":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[932,7597],"class_list":["post-97591","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-app-review","category-mac-tips"],"yoast_head":"\nBloom Blows Away the Finder with Innovative, Power User Features<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"As familiar and beloved as the macOS Finder is, it can be somewhat limiting for more demanding users. 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