App Detail » TameTime: Awareness Timer

Published by: Cesare Forelli

iPhone App - Designed for iPhone, compatible with iPad

Price: $4.49
Current Version: 1.5
Released: October 02, 2019

What's New

TameTime 1.5 is here!
This release enhances the functionality of the 'Launch at Login' feature on newer versions of macOS. Due to underlying technical changes, if you had previously configured the app to start automatically, you will need to open TameTime's Settings and enable it again just this once. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you, but this change was necessary to future-proof the app.
TameTime 1.5 also includes two new features, with special thanks to Kenneth for recommending both:
1. If you need it for any reason, you can now manually reset the timer by clicking on TameTime in the menu bar and selecting "Reset timer";
2. You can now set custom and independent flash-screen messages for the Minor and Major alerts, or omit them completely and only have the 3-seconds dark screen as visual clue to take a break; to edit the flash-screen messages, please open TameTime's Settings by clicking on the app in the menu bar, then select Settings and click on the two buttons to input (or remove) your messages.
Thank you for using TameTime, and please don't hesitate to contact me at [email protected]! Ciao, Cesare

App Description

TameTime reminds you of taking regular breaks, so that you don't spend too much time sitting at your computer and risk compromising your health.

You can customize how and when TameTime will alert you, making you aware that it's time to move around, drink a glass of water or relax:
• TameTime sits in your menu bar displaying the current session duration in minutes and hours, with optional emojis that show at a glance how you're doing.
• You can set two thresholds for alerts (for instance, after 45 minutes and 1 hour), each one independent from the other.
• When the time limit is reached for a specific threshold, the app can play a sound (select one of TameTime's custom tones or a system sound), fire a notification and even display a 3-seconds full-screen overlay (with optional and customisable messages); you can choose any combination of those alerts, or none at all.
• You can have TameTime repeat the alerts at multiples of the time intervals.
• TameTime detects the breaks you take naturally during the day and resets its timers automatically after a customizable delay: you never need to interact directly with the app to say that you're taking a pause or that you have resumed your work.
• TameTime never locks you out of your computer: it's up to you to take advantage of the awareness it provides, or to keep working hard for a little longer.
• When you don't want to be distracted by TameTime's alerts, for instance while making conference calls, you can manually pause the alerts while keeping the timer running, so that you don't lose track of the time spent even while using Zoom!

RSI (repetitive strain injuries), CVS (computer vision syndrome) and other computer-related stress are actual risks for modern workers and taking regular breaks is very important for the well-being of your back, eyes, cardio-circulatory system, neck, muscles and so on; pauses are also essential for refreshing your body and your mind and boost focus and productivity throughout the day.
TameTime can help you build healthier habits, but is not a medical device and does not offer medical advice; if you're experiencing discomfort or pain, please don't hesitate to consult a doctor.

TameTime can launch automatically when your Mac starts, does not require special permissions, uses almost no CPU or memory resources, and is very modern: it is compatible and fully at home on the latest release of macOS (including support for Dark Mode and native support for Apple Silicon), but also works on older versions of macOS up to 10.14 Mojave; the app in native, built with the latest version of Swift, and does not include any analytics framework or other privacy-invading stuff (please see the privacy policy at cdf1982.com/privacy/tametime_privacy_policy.html).

TameTime in an indie app that does not include in-app purchases or subscriptions: you just buy the app once for, dare I say, a very convenient price and keep it forever on all your Macs while also supporting its future development.

Support is available from the developer - me, Cesare - at [email protected] and your reviews and word of mouth are really, really appreciated!