Toybird Labs Blog
What this guide will help you do
- How built-in pointer settings can help first
- A simple sequence for guiding attention during screen sharing
- When to use the ring, frame and Focus Cue
- Feature boundaries to check before a presentation
One cue cannot explain a point, an area and a window equally well
For a small button, viewers need the click location. For a settings panel or part of a table, they need the relevant region. Because the target size differs, one ring cannot solve both equally well.
Across multiple apps, viewers first need to know which window is current. Establish window-level hierarchy, then indicate the point or area inside it.
Match the cue to what viewers need
Match the cue to the target size and use meeting annotations when marks must stay on screen.
| Method | When it works well | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Move slowly and pause on the target | Short explanations without extra software | Fast workflows can still be hard to follow |
| Show an on-demand ring around the pointer | Remote meetings, demos and training | Check the meeting preview before presenting |
| Draw a temporary frame around an area | Tables, settings panels and groups of fields | Not a replacement for freehand annotation |
| Keep the active window bright and dim the rest | Demos that move between multiple apps | Reduce dimming when colour accuracy matters |
| Use the meeting app’s annotation tools | Explanations that require persistent marks or text | Switching tools can interrupt the flow |
Use this sequence in your next screen share
- Remove unnecessary information from the screen
Pause notifications, close unused windows and remove private information before sharing. - Check the operating system pointer settings
Adjust size and colour in macOS or Windows so the pointer does not disappear against the shared content. - State the purpose before pointing
Say what will happen, then name the location: “We will disable notifications. Look at Settings in the top right.” - Use different cues for a point, an area and a window
Use a ring for a button, a frame for a table or settings group, and active-window focus for the current app. - Verify the result in the sharing preview
Check what viewers actually receive: pointer ring, frame and dimming can look different after scaling or compression.
Where presentations become easier to follow
Online meetings
Use a ring to identify the control so viewers can follow the action.
Product demos
Highlight the current app first, then the exact button inside it.
Internal training
Frame a group of fields or settings panel temporarily.
Remote support
Explain where to click with both words and a visual cue.
What to know before you use it
Use meeting annotations or a drawing tool when freehand marks, arrows or text must remain visible.
Focus Cue is macOS-only. On Windows, use the ring and temporary frame.
Pointer Cue is not a full screen-annotation suite. It focuses on pointing, framing an area and identifying the current window. Its overlays run on-device without capturing the screen or extracting text for external analysis.
What we checked hands-on
Pointer Cue
We switched between pointer, drag-frame, and active-window cues during live demos to check whether attention could be guided without entering a drawing mode.
- Check the participant or recording view in the conferencing setup you will actually use
- Use highlights briefly so the cue does not cover the content you are explaining
- Retest after changing displays, Stage Manager or the sharing application
Official sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
When should I use a pointer ring versus a frame?
Use the ring for one control or click point; use a frame for a table column, settings panel or group of fields.
Are meeting-app annotations enough?
They are good for persistent lines and text. For a quick cue followed by normal interaction, a keyboard-triggered ring or frame interrupts less.
When should active-window emphasis be used?
Use it in a multi-app demo to establish which app matters first, then use a ring or frame for the exact target.
View the product
Use Pointer Cue when you want to highlight a pointer or area briefly while sharing your screen.