Outside

Looking for a way to inject excitement into upcoming events and streamline planning with friends and family? Outside, a free countdown calendar app with in-app purchases, might be your perfect match. This review dives into its features, user feedback, and potential drawbacks to help you decide if Outside deserves a spot on your device.

Sparking Anticipation with Countdowns

Outside goes beyond traditional calendars by focusing on countdowns. Create unlimited personalized countdowns for any event, be it a dream vacation, a friend’s birthday, or a personal challenge. Visualize your excitement with customizable backgrounds and countdown styles.

Shared Planning for Groups

Outside isn’t just about solo anticipation. Its shared calendar feature allows you to collaborate with friends, family, or partners. This eliminates the need for endless group chat messages and ensures everyone’s on the same page regarding event details.

Functionality at a Glance

Here’s a quick rundown of Outside’s key features:

• Unlimited Countdowns: Track as many upcoming events as you desire.
• Calendar Syncing: Connect your existing calendars (Apple, Google) for automatic event import.
• Shared Calendar: Plan events collaboratively with friends and family.
• Customizable Widgets: Choose from a variety of widget styles to keep your countdowns at a glance.
• AI Planner (Pro Feature): This feature suggests new activity ideas or helps upgrade your existing plans (availability in free version unclear).
• Customization Options: Personalize countdowns with backgrounds and adjust the timeframe (hours, days, weeks, or years).
• Reminders: Set automated reminders to ensure you never miss an important event.
• Private Group Chat: Each event comes with a built-in chat for easy communication within your planning group.
• Attachment Support: Keep everything organized by attaching important files or images to events.
• World Map Visualization: For globetrotters, pin your planned adventures on a world map for a more immersive experience.

What Users Are Saying

Outside boasts a positive user rating with many praising its ease of use, free core features, and the ability to share countdowns with loved ones. Users particularly appreciate the widget functionality and the ability to personalize countdown aesthetics. Some reviewers mentioned a desire for more widget customization options, like displaying multiple events simultaneously.

In-App Purchases and Privacy

While Outside offers a robust free tier, a Pro subscription unlocks additional features like the AI planner. The app collects usage data and may track you across apps and websites owned by other companies. It’s important to review the app’s privacy policy for a complete understanding of data practices.

Conclusion

Outside presents a compelling option for anyone who wants to add a touch of excitement to event planning. Its free tier offers a generous set of features, making it a valuable tool for both solo users and groups. If you’re looking for a way to boost anticipation for upcoming events and streamline collaborative planning, Outside is definitely worth exploring. However, be mindful of potential limitations in the free version and data tracking practices.