Time Out - Break Reminders for PC and Mac

Software Reviews and Criticism

• By stuckfly

  Excellent design, simple app

  There’s been a lot of recent health research proving that taking frequent breaks is necessary for those who spend significant time in front of a computer. If you neglect or forget to take your eyes off the screen or get up to move around a bit, this app is for you! I’m super-critical of software design, and I’m impressed with Time Out. It fixes all the things wrong with all the other break timers I’ve tried, plus adds a lot of extra features without cluttering the UI. One of the best things not mentioned in the product description is that there are well written instructions in the app for all the features; there’s no guesswork. The subscription model is unique. I like it. I’d like to see more of this because it’s a good compromise between the old method where you buy an app and pay for major upgrades at a discount, and the new renewing subscription model that forces you to pay for upgrades whether you want them or not. The free version is ad-free and the app is pretty good without the extras that expire without a subscription. I subscribed. The extras are easily worth the price!

  
  
• By Jackson'sNana

  This Ounce of Prevention is Worth a TON of Cure!

  As a genealogist, I spend *hours* at my computer. That habit caught up with me in a big way. Because I kept my arms in the same position for long periods of time, I developed “frozen shoulder.” I could hardly move my right arm and shoulder –- and then only with extreme pain. It took months of physical therapy to get back to normal. Even knowing that “frozen shoulder” could return, I tend to lose track of time when I’m using a computer. Enter "Time Out." I’ve set this wonderful app to remind me to move my arms and shoulders for at least 20 seconds every 20 minutes and to get up and walk around for at least 10 minutes every hour or so. What a difference! I don’t stiffen up, my arms and back don’t hurt, my eyes again focus quickly to see far-away objects, and I reconnect with the world, even if for just a short time. I highly recommend the well-designed, easy-to-use “Time Out” app to anyone who uses a computer.

  
  
• By GreenCat

  More effective than sitting 2 hours in meditation!

  I decided to set Time Out for 10 second breaks every half hour. During these breaks, I use the time to center myself and to send wellbeing to humanity, world leadership, whomever was a part of the task I was engaged with when the break occurred, and myself. By bringing my spiritual practice into my day, I feel more integrated and whole throughout - much more so than when I was sitting in meditation for hours on end. The Time Out software is easy to use and pleasantly annoying - the gradual and subtle greying of the screen reminds me nicely to stop what I’m doing, though allows me to stubbornly persist should I choose to peer through the diversion. Time Out does permit me to just skip the break, but usually within one second, I’m reminded why I’m doing this and settle in. Besides, anyone can do anything for 10 seconds, can’t they?

  
  
• By Jack Madomo

  This app runs my life...

  …or at least the 70% of my life I spend in front of a computer screen. This app reflects the simplemindedness the world needs a lot more of. There is no attempt to be everything anybody ever imagined. It has one task and it does it well with an appropriate amount of grace and charm. I especially like the developer’s pricing philosophy: use the basic product as long as you like at no charge. If you feel it’s worthwhile, send along a modest sum and get a few extra features. If you don’t feel it’s worth paying for don’t pay. You won’t get harassed with regular “suggestions” to pay, and you won’t see ads. If nothing else this shows the developer’s confidence in the value of what he’s offering. This is a good piece of software.

  
  

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