Workflow Picks: What's New in Productivity May 2026 – Week of May 10
Another week, another deluge of tools promising to make you more productive. We spent the week of May 10, 2026, sifting through the noise to bring you what actually matters. The biggest takeaway? The tools you've likely relied on for years are facing serious competition, forcing a critical look at whether they still earn their keep. We’re talking about everything from your daily team chat to the project management behemoths. If you're wondering what's new in productivity for May 2026, or just if your current stack is still pulling its weight, this recap is for you. We didn't pull any punches, so expect the unvarnished truth on what's working, what's overhyped, and where you might be leaving efficiency on the table. Consider this your definitive two-minute briefing on the week's essential workflow picks.
If async communication is truly your goal, Loom is a non-negotiable. We looked at whether it still holds up as the go-to for video messages.
Calendly is ubiquitous, but is it the *best*? We put it under the microscope against other options to see if it still leads the pack for meeting scheduling.
Slack fatigue is real. Our review gets candid about whether this team chat giant is still worth the screen time or if it's become a productivity drain.
For those with complex, multi-app workflows, Make.com offers serious automation muscle. We dissect if its power justifies the learning curve.
Monetizing your newsletter is tricky. We reviewed Beehiiv to see if it delivers on its promise as the platform built for creators looking to earn.
Sales teams need CRMs that simplify, not complicate. Pipedrive claims to be just that, and we assessed if it truly keeps sales focused on selling.
Notion aims to be everything for everyone. We asked if it's still the ultimate flexible workspace or if its breadth is now its biggest weakness.
For serious knowledge managers, Obsidian offers unparalleled control. Our review covers whether its local-first approach truly offers an advantage.
Asana is a project management staple. We reviewed if it's still the powerhouse it once was, or if newer tools have surpassed its capabilities.
Airtable promises a spreadsheet that acts like a database. We looked at where this hybrid shines and where its flexibility can become a limitation.
Workflow Picks weekly recap — week of May 10, 2026
Another week, another deluge of tools promising to make you more productive. We spent the week of May 10, 2026, sifting through the noise to bring you what actually matters. The biggest takeaway? The tools you’ve likely relied on for years are facing serious competition, forcing a critical look at whether they still earn their keep. We’re talking about everything from your daily team chat to the project management behemoths. If you’re wondering what’s new in productivity for May 2026, or just if your current stack is still pulling its weight, this recap is for you. We didn’t pull any punches, so expect the unvarnished truth on what’s working, what’s overhyped, and where you might be leaving efficiency on the table. Consider this your definitive two-minute briefing on the week’s essential workflow picks.
Here’s a quick hit on what we covered:
- Loom Review 2026: The Async Video Tool for Modern Teams: If async communication is truly your goal, Loom is a non-negotiable. We looked at whether it still holds up as the go-to for video messages.
- Best Meeting Scheduler 2026: Calendly Reviewed: Calendly is ubiquitous, but is it the best? We put it under the microscope against other options to see if it still leads the pack for meeting scheduling.
- Slack Review 2026: The Unvarnished Truth About Team Chat: Slack fatigue is real. Our review gets candid about whether this team chat giant is still worth the screen time or if it’s become a productivity drain.
- Make.com Review 2026: The Automation Powerhouse for Complex Workflows: For those with complex, multi-app workflows, Make.com offers serious automation muscle. We dissect if its power justifies the learning curve.
- Beehiiv Review 2026: The Best Newsletter Platform for Monetization?: Monetizing your newsletter is tricky. We reviewed Beehiiv to see if it delivers on its promise as the platform built for creators looking to earn.
- Pipedrive Review 2026: The Sales-Focused CRM That Actually Works: Sales teams need CRMs that simplify, not complicate. Pipedrive claims to be just that, and we assessed if it truly keeps sales focused on selling.
- Notion Review 2026: Is It Still the Best for Teams & Docs?: Notion aims to be everything for everyone. We asked if it’s still the ultimate flexible workspace or if its breadth is now its biggest weakness.
- Obsidian Review 2026: The Ultimate Local-First Knowledge Base: For serious knowledge managers, Obsidian offers unparalleled control. Our review covers whether its local-first approach truly offers an advantage.
- Asana Review 2026: Is It Still the PM Powerhouse?: Asana is a project management staple. We reviewed if it’s still the powerhouse it once was, or if newer tools have surpassed its capabilities.
- Airtable Review 2026: The Spreadsheet-Database Hybrid That Works: Airtable promises a spreadsheet that acts like a database. We looked at where this hybrid shines and where its flexibility can become a limitation.
What to read first
If you only read one thing this week, make it the Slack Review 2026. Team chat is a daily constant for most, and our unvarnished take on its current state might change how you approach internal communication. It’s a critical look at a tool many tolerate, rather than truly love.
Looking ahead
Next week, we’re diving deeper into personal knowledge management, beyond Obsidian. Expect some strong opinions on note-taking apps and how they impact retention. We’ll also be watching for any new AI integrations changing the game for content creation.