DaysAround

Product Introduction

1. Definition: DaysAround is a privacy-first iOS travel tracking application that analyzes local iPhone photo metadata to log international stays, calculate country-specific day counts, and generate visual travel timelines—all processed entirely on-device.
2. Core Value Proposition: It enables digital nomads and perpetual travelers to track critical mobility metrics (e.g., Schengen visa limits, tax residency days) without compromising location privacy, using offline photo scanning instead of GPS or cloud storage.

Main Features

1. On-Device Photo Analysis:

   • How it works: The app scans EXIF data (GPS coordinates + timestamps) from your iPhone’s local photo library. It uses Apple’s Core Location framework to reverse-geocode coordinates into countries and dates without internet access.
   • Technology: Leverages iOS-native Core ML for offline metadata extraction and Core Data for encrypted local storage. Zero server interaction.

2. Automated Visa/Tax Compliance Tools:

   • How it works: Algorithms cross-reference travel dates against regulatory rules (e.g., Schengen 90/180-day limit). Users receive alerts for potential overstays and export CSV reports for tax residency proof.
   • Technology: Rule-based engines with dynamic calendar synchronization; supports OECD tax residency day-counting frameworks.

3. Private Travel Visualization:

   • How it works: Generates interactive maps and timelines of visited countries using locally stored data. Photos are embedded into the timeline without cloud uploads.
   • Technology: SwiftUI-based rendering for offline-accessible maps; data export via AirDrop or encrypted local files.

Problems Solved

1. Pain Point: Digital nomads risk visa violations or tax penalties due to inaccurate manual tracking of cross-border stays. Cloud-based alternatives expose sensitive location history.
2. Target Audience:
   • Digital nomads managing Schengen visa limits.
   • Remote workers establishing tax residency (e.g., 183-day rules).
   • Privacy-focused travelers avoiding Google Timeline/Foursquare.
3. Use Cases:
   • Calculating remaining Schengen days after multi-country EU trips.
   • Proving physical presence in Portugal for NHR tax status.
   • Maintaining a private archive of travel history without social sharing.

Unique Advantages

1. Differentiation: Unlike TripIt or PolarSteps (cloud-dependent, GPS-tracking), DaysAround uses offline photo analysis—eliminating data breaches, subscriptions, and battery drain from background location services.
2. Key Innovation: Patent-pending on-device geocoding that detects country stays solely from photo metadata, achieving GPS-level accuracy without live tracking or network dependencies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How does DaysAround track countries without GPS?
   It extracts location and date metadata from your iPhone photos’ EXIF data, reverse-geocoding coordinates into countries offline—no active tracking required.

2. Can DaysAround help me avoid Schengen visa overstays?
   Yes, it automatically applies the 90/180-day rule to your travel history, alerting you when you approach the limit across 26 Schengen countries.

3. Is my data ever uploaded to the cloud?
   No. All processing occurs locally on your iPhone. No accounts, servers, or third-party data sharing—ever.

4. Does DaysAround work without an internet connection?
   Yes. Core features like timeline generation, day counting, and map rendering function entirely offline after initial setup.

5. How accurate is the country detection from photos?
   Accuracy relies on photo geotags; it detects country-level stays with >99% precision when photos exist for a location. Manual entry supplements gaps.