LookAway

LookAway is a macOS application that manages scheduled breaks during prolonged screen use. The app displays a timer and blurs the screen to indicate the start of a visual break period. Intervals and break duration are user-configurable.

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• Statistics Log. This feature presents a dashboard with a breakdown of screen time usage. It tracks focus time, usage of specific applications, and time spent on different activities like gaming or meetings. It provides detailed statistics on adherence to scheduled breaks.
• Screen Score Calculation. The system calculates a numerical score based on screen time habits and break-taking discipline. It includes a calendar view to show the score's evolution throughout the month. This score can optionally be displayed in a menu bar icon.
• Pre-Break Alert. A configurable notification warns the user minutes before a mandatory break begins. This notice allows for finishing critical tasks or saving work progress before the visual interruption.
• Menu Bar Control. An icon in the menu bar provides immediate access to the app's controls and settings. Functionality has been expanded with a mini-app called "QuickLook" that shows an overview of the current session's status.
• Interval Customization. Focus periods and break durations are fully adjustable. The user defines the length of both cycles according to their work requirements or personal preferences.
• Smart Inactivity Pause. The main timer automatically stops if user inactivity is detected for more than one minute. If inactivity exceeds five minutes, the timer resets completely, starting a new focus cycle upon resuming activity.
• Limited Break Postponement. The break snooze feature allows the user to delay the rest in defined time increments. A daily limit for snoozes can be set, preventing the continuous skipping of recommended breaks.
• Silent Mode During Meetings. The application automatically detects when the user is on a call or in a meeting through compatible applications. During these events, scheduled breaks are suspended to avoid interruptions.
• Wellness Reminders. In addition to visual breaks, the app can issue reminders to correct posture and to blink regularly. These reminders offer multiple options for size and on-screen position.
• State Persistence. The application restores timers and the session state after a restart or unexpected shutdown. Activity history and statistics remain accurate even after an abrupt program closure.
• Wallpaper Detection. The system enhances the detection and updating of the user's desktop wallpaper, both in settings and during the break screen. This ensures a consistent visual integration during rest periods.
• Notifications and Liquid Glass Effect. Alerts use a redesigned format that minimizes interruption. The Liquid Glass blur visual effect is used consistently across notifications, wellness reminders, and statistics panels.

Development of LookAway began in 2020. The program is written primarily in the Swift programming language, leveraging native macOS frameworks for the user interface and system integrations. The development team focused on creating a tool that manages visual breaks with clear logic and specific customization options.

Alternatives to LookAway:

Loook

Loook is a desktop application that manages visual and physical well-being during computer work.

Price: Free   Size: 13.2 MB   Version: 1.0   OS: MacOS