You’ve never seen a “soundscape” like this. The immersive-environment app Portal debuted on iOS with 3D audio filled with flowing rivers and chirping birds. The Mac version teleports you to another world using sound, video and even lighting, taking “relaxing nature soundtrack” to the next level.

What we love: The 60-plus audiovisual experiences, including gorgeous locations like Anse Chastanet in St. Lucia, Skógafoss in Iceland and Lake Kawaguchi in Japan – all captured at stunning 12K resolution. Start a portal and its video takes over your desktop while sound plays in Spatial Audio over headphones and supported speakers. And if you have compatible smart lights, Portal can even match your lighting to the video!

Quick tip: Explore Portal’s topical and location-based collections to help you focus or sleep – or just enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Slovenian Alps or Scottish Highlands. Mix in music, podcasts or audiobooks and Portal’s calming soundscapes play in the background. You can also access your favourite portals and control playback using Siri or the app’s system-wide menu or desktop widgets.

Meet the creator: Portal Labs is a team of four friends (including two brothers) aiming to “capture the natural outdoors to improve the indoor spaces where we spend 90 per cent of our time,” says cofounder Tim Daniels. The team handled every part of creating the new Mac version of Portal, from audio and video capture to coding: “There aren’t many teams that can say they climb actual mountains for their customers.”