Product Introduction
Definition: Ghosted: Smart Presence is a macOS menu bar utility designed for advanced on-device presence detection. It functions as a specialized automation tool that leverages the integrated FaceTime camera to monitor user proximity, categorizing it as a computer vision-based system control and productivity application.
Core Value Proposition: Ghosted provides a seamless "away mode" for macOS, automating the transition between active and idle states. By utilizing real-time presence sensing, the app eliminates the need for manual screen locking and media pausing, enhancing both digital security and workflow continuity. It is built on a privacy-first architecture that processes all visual data locally, ensuring no cloud interaction, no user tracking, and no data collection.
Main Features
On-Device Presence Detection: Ghosted utilizes the built-in FaceTime camera to detect the physical presence of a user. The software employs on-device computer vision algorithms to determine if the user is currently at their workstation. This process is system-transparent, meaning the macOS green camera indicator activates to signify camera usage, complying with Apple's strict privacy standards.
Watch Mode (Media Automation): This feature specifically monitors media playback across various system outputs and applications, including Safari, Google Chrome, and native macOS audio. When the "away" state is triggered, Ghosted automatically pauses active audio or video streams and resumes them instantly upon the user's return, preventing missed content and maintaining environmental silence in shared workspaces.
Shield Mode (Automated Security): Shield Mode acts as a proximity-based security layer. Upon detecting the user's departure, the app triggers a system lock or activates the screensaver after a user-defined delay. This ensures that sensitive data remains protected in open offices or public environments without requiring the user to remember keyboard shortcuts like Cmd+Ctrl+Q.
Advanced Pro Automations (Webhooks & Shortcuts): For power users, the Pro tier offers integration with Apple Shortcuts and outbound webhooks. This allows Ghosted to serve as a trigger for smart home automations—such as turning off desk lights or setting a Slack status to "Away"—whenever the user leaves their Mac.
Per-App Rules & Custom Sensitivity: The software provides granular control over how presence detection interacts with specific software. Users can define custom timers (ranging from 10 to 300 seconds) and grace periods to prevent "false positives" during brief movements, and set specific rules for different applications to customize behavior based on the current task.
Problems Solved
Security Vulnerabilities in Shared Spaces: In open-plan offices, co-working spaces, or cafes, leaving a Mac unlocked for even a few minutes poses a significant security risk. Ghosted solves this by automating the locking process the moment the user steps away, ensuring constant data protection.
Workflow Interruption and Focus Loss: Manually pausing music, videos, or podcasts every time a user is interrupted or needs to step away breaks cognitive flow. Ghosted automates these micro-tasks, allowing the user to resume their exact state of work or media consumption without manual intervention.
Privacy Concerns with Cloud-Based Detection: Many presence detection tools rely on external sensors or cloud-based processing. Ghosted addresses the "privacy tax" by performing all computations on the local CPU/NPU, making it suitable for professionals handling sensitive or classified information who cannot use cloud-connected monitoring tools.
Target Audience:
- Remote & Hybrid Professionals: Users working in shared home environments or public spaces who need to secure their machines frequently.
- Software Developers & Creatives: Individuals who utilize deep-work sessions and want to automate their environment transitions (lighting, status, media).
- Privacy Advocates: Users who demand high-utility automation without the data-harvesting practices common in modern software.
- Open Office Employees: Professionals who need to step away from their desks for meetings or breaks and require immediate, hands-free screen locking.
Unique Advantages
Privacy-First Architecture: Unlike competitors that might require account creation or telemetry, Ghosted requires no sign-in and collects zero data. The "Data Not Collected" status on the App Store reflects its commitment to local-only processing.
Native macOS Integration: Optimized for macOS 13 Ventura and later, Ghosted feels like a native extension of the operating system. It operates discreetly in the menu bar with a minimal footprint (approx. 1.9 MB), ensuring it does not consume significant system resources.
Hybrid Automation Trigger: Ghosted bridges the gap between physical presence and digital automation. By integrating with Apple Shortcuts and Webhooks, it moves beyond a simple "lock screen" utility to become a central hub for workspace automation based on human proximity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How does Ghosted lock my Mac when I walk away? Ghosted uses the FaceTime camera to monitor presence. When the camera no longer detects a person, it waits for the duration of your pre-set "Sensitivity" timer (e.g., 5, 15, or 30 seconds). Once the timer expires, it triggers "Shield Mode," which invokes the macOS system lock or starts the screensaver, effectively securing your session.
Is my privacy protected while the camera is on? Yes. Ghosted is designed with a "No Cloud" policy. The video feed is processed entirely on your Mac's local processor to detect presence and is never recorded, stored, or transmitted. The system-enforced green light on your Mac will always indicate when the camera is active, providing full transparency.
Can Ghosted pause videos in YouTube or Netflix automatically? Yes, through "Watch Mode." Ghosted can control system-level audio and media playback in major browsers like Safari and Chrome. When you leave your desk, the app sends a pause command to the active media source and sends a resume command when you return to your seat.
What is the difference between the Free and Pro versions? The Free version includes core Watch Mode (media pausing), Shield Mode (screen locking), and standard sensitivity presets. The Pro tier adds custom timers (10–300 seconds), a grace period to ignore brief absences, per-app rules, Apple Shortcuts integration, webhooks, and the ability to take a "screenshot on departure" for security logging.
