Down the drain
Once great app for simple time keeping and focus now turned into an overreaching subscription based bs. The dev team can pound sand.
What the heck?
Like others, I was surprised to see a once-great timer app completely change into something else with no warning. Originally it was the Focus Keeper app, and now it’s a garbage app that wants your data.
Nice idea but very buggy
I like the idea of this app and the features, but it would be nice if it worked a bit better.
The active notifications banner stays wide so I can’t see the clock or battery indicator whenever a block period is going.
The block scheduling also just doesn’t work reliably. I just had to play with the settings on a block to get the app to notice that it was scheduled and actually activate it.
It’s also weird to market a nice simple, bug-free pomodoro timer app (which attracted lots of appropriately great reviews) and then suddenly replace it on everyone’s devices with this really heavy, kind of invasive app with paid features. I actually like what “Pond” is going for but… kinda skeevy tbh.
And buggy.
The active notifications banner stays wide so I can’t see the clock or battery indicator whenever a block period is going.
The block scheduling also just doesn’t work reliably. I just had to play with the settings on a block to get the app to notice that it was scheduled and actually activate it.
It’s also weird to market a nice simple, bug-free pomodoro timer app (which attracted lots of appropriately great reviews) and then suddenly replace it on everyone’s devices with this really heavy, kind of invasive app with paid features. I actually like what “Pond” is going for but… kinda skeevy tbh.
And buggy.
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App changed fundamentally
This used to be a pomodoro timer and is now a spyware app (asked for screen time access?!?!).
It Works
my apps are blocked regularly, i like the haikus and pop culture etc “do something else!” pop ups on blocked apps
the focus timer still works lovely, i’ve been a fan for a while. i actually got the focus timer because it didn’t list “in-app purchases”. adding the subscription when focus timer updated to pond was almost a deal breaker but i gave the free version a shot. it’s not perfect, but it gets the job done. i’ve been looking for an app like this for a while so im pleasantly surprised :)
you can create and select block/allow lists when starting a focus session which is great! but i’m not sure how to access the lists otherwise
screen time section says to go to settings to exclude apps from screen time (i’d like to remove my tv remote app), but neither Pond settings nor ios settings allow me the option?
sometimes, unblocking or taking breaks is buggy. also sometimes buggy when the app is not open in the background, but it mostly fixes when you open the app
for the most part, im happy with this app. i’ve started painting and sewing again, and i feel more fulfilled in how im using my time <3
the focus timer still works lovely, i’ve been a fan for a while. i actually got the focus timer because it didn’t list “in-app purchases”. adding the subscription when focus timer updated to pond was almost a deal breaker but i gave the free version a shot. it’s not perfect, but it gets the job done. i’ve been looking for an app like this for a while so im pleasantly surprised :)
you can create and select block/allow lists when starting a focus session which is great! but i’m not sure how to access the lists otherwise
screen time section says to go to settings to exclude apps from screen time (i’d like to remove my tv remote app), but neither Pond settings nor ios settings allow me the option?
sometimes, unblocking or taking breaks is buggy. also sometimes buggy when the app is not open in the background, but it mostly fixes when you open the app
for the most part, im happy with this app. i’ve started painting and sewing again, and i feel more fulfilled in how im using my time <3
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What did you do
This used to be a simple, nonintrusive timer. Now it requires additional access. I don’t need all these stupid bells and whistles - I just want my pomodoro timer
Perfectly good app updated and ruined
Liked this app, focus keeper just fine. Updating and changing the name and nature of it, including asking for new permissions is a great way to get me to instantly uninstall. Launch a new app if you must, don't 'fix' what isn't broken
App completely changed
A week ago this was a perfectly good Pomodoro timer app, but the developer has changed it into a screen-time management app that I did not consent to downloading. Deleting and getting a new pomodoro timer
Rug pulled
This app was simple and great pomodoro timer and it appears to have been switched to slop that wants access to all my screen time data.
don’t like the changes
this was one of my essential apps. it was the perfect simple interval timer, and now they’ve completely changed it. pretty sad
App changed from Focus Keeper
This isn't the simple Focus Keeper app I originally downloaded, I didn't want a screen time/app blocker app.
Rebrand/redesign. I have no interest in this app now.
The developers have completely replaced the app that originally garnered the high reviews you see.
This used to be a very simple and easy to use pomodoro app that was good for setting interval timers. That is what the 5 star ratings were from. The app developers have no idea what made their app successful in the past.
This used to be a very simple and easy to use pomodoro app that was good for setting interval timers. That is what the 5 star ratings were from. The app developers have no idea what made their app successful in the past.
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Utterly ruined
This used to be an incredibly great app but now they’ve utterly ruined it and turned it into useless garbage. :(
Unwanted update
I had old version of focus keep installed as it was the only version that worked properly. There seems have been and now I have this unwanted app with intrusive questions on first load. Why on earth would you do an update to replace an old app with a completely different new one?!
Ruined an excellent app
Requires data sync now. Deleting immediately, sorry. Focus Keeper was great as-is.
Changed the entire app
Changed the name, icon and function of the app
Changed app without consent
It seems that the developer has entirely changed the app and renamed it without my consent. I was very confused for a while as to why a new app that I hadn’t downloaded had appeared on my iPhone but after a bit of research. It seems that they have just unilaterally decided to change it entirely.
app ruined
decent app suddenly turned into something asking for a bunch of permissions; it took me awhile to even figure out what the app was, it seemingly appeared out of nowhere. this app is piss
Updated and Is No Longer What It Used to Be
This was an amazing pomodoro timer app — and it was free and without a subscription. It was suddenly updated and is put behind a paywall. Absolute slop.
Ruined a great app
I loved this app when it was a well-designed pomodoro timer. I used it for years. Now it’s asking me to access my data without offering anything of value. Delete! What a shame.
