Clunky – Visual Task Timer Review

[Thanks to the developer for responding after one year, after 2.0 was released. I was prompted to re-download the app and add a few more observations.] There are several missteps in this app: – [FIXED in 2.1] It's not possible to set a low-time warning of under a minute. I need to time one-minute presentations, with a 15 second warning. – [FIXED in 2.1] It’s also not possible to set a timer under one minute. I now find myself timing 30-second elevator speeches, which I can’t do with this app. – [FIXED in 2.0] The volume of the sounds is tied to the device's ringer volume, instead of the devices sound volume. I typically keep my ringer turned off so that a call doesn't disturb a meeting. – [FIXED in 2.1] No sound for low time warning. – [NEW] No user-selectable sounds. The single sound isn’t loud enough or long enough. – Time entry is clunky. iOS has a perfectly good interface for selecting times, which would be much easier and faster. [UI changes in 2.0 make this easier, but only by a smidge.] – [FIXED in 2.0] The reset button takes you to the settings screen — an unnecessary step if all you want to do is reset the timer for the next person. [Either 2.0 fixed this (it’s been a year, so I don’t remember) or I’m less bothered by it.]
Review by Mr Toner on Visual Task Timer.