Daily iPhone App: Visual uses color to keep track of the time
I don't like to spend a lot of time keeping myself on schedule. When I have a 15-minute block to send off some emails, I want a timer app that's easy to setup and simple to use. One that'll let me see quickly how much time I have left before I have to move on to another task. That's where Visual steps in. It's a timer app that ditches the digital or analog readout and replaces it with color. Rather than counting down with numbers, the app uses color changes to let you know how much time you have left .
When Visual launches, you can tap on the screen to set your timer. The app uses traffic light colors as its default color scheme, which means the timer starts off green, turns to yellow at the half way point and then to red when the timer is almost up. If you don't like this color scheme, you can select from five other presets. You can also set alert tones that'll chime when the color changes.
Using a color scheme instead of numbers means that Visual is exceptionally easy to use. I don't have to avert my gaze and focus on a set of numbers. I just have to catch a glimpse of the colors to know how much time I have left. I find that I don't even have to take my eyes off my work, if I can see the timer's color from the corner of my eye.
Visual is missing a few features, like the ability to set a recurring timer and the option to overlay digits if you prefer. The app does show a digital timer, but it's very tiny and you can't see the numbers unless the phone is in your hand. It would be nice if there was an option to show a large digital timer on top of the color timer. Such an option would give you the best of both worlds.
Visual is available in the iOS App Store for $US0.99.
