I Built a Mac Menu Bar App Because I Kept Saying "Wait, What?" in Every Meeting

Developer Varshith Hegde has created "Huh?," a macOS menu bar utility designed to solve the common frustration of missing information during live meetings or lectures. The app functions as a retroactive audio buffer, capturing the last 30 seconds to two minutes of system or microphone audio in RAM. Users can instantly replay missed content using a keyboard shortcut, with options for slowed playback and on-device transcription via Apple’s speech engine or WhisperKit. Hegde emphasizes privacy, noting that the app operates entirely offline, avoids cloud storage, and does not require user accounts. The development process involved overcoming significant technical hurdles, including managing CoreAudio threads, fixing audio desync issues with Bluetooth devices, and optimizing memory usage for a resident background app. Currently in the final stages of polish and notarization, the project aims to provide a lightweight, privacy-focused alternative to heavy screen recording or cloud-based meeting transcription services.