VOTimer

Category

Description of App

Cooking and would like to set a timer, but your hands are dirty?

Can't see the time remaining because the font is too small?

VOTimer is a countdown timer with big buttons and clear font. You can even set and launch the timer with a voice command in plain English.

With an iPhone you can silence and pause the alarm using the proximity sensor.

VOTimer is ideal for low vision users and is fully VoiceOver friendly.

Version

1.2

Free or Paid

Paid

Apple Watch Support

Not Known

Device(s) App Was Tested On

iPhone

Accessibility Comments

This is very accessible. I found the app to be simple and easy to use.

VoiceOver Performance

VoiceOver reads all page elements.

Button Labeling

All buttons are clearly labeled.

Usability

The app is fully accessible with VoiceOver and is easy to navigate and use.

Other Comments

VOTimer is a very simple and easy timer app to use. It does exactly as advertised in the description. It can be used hand free and it is very accessible to use.

The timer app will only do minutes. So if you are wanting something to do for say like 90 seconds. You will not be able to do this.

There are 6 voice commands you can use with this timer.

They are the following:
- Set a Timer for x minutes
- Pause Timer
- Resume Timer
- Cancel Timer
- Remaining Time
- What is the Time?

Voice recognition is a bit sluggish and does take several seconds to recognize the command before it will implement it. However, it does work. At times I may have to say it several times before it knows I'm talking to it. ;)

I do like the proximity sensor aspect of the app. At any time you want to know how many minutes are left. Just simply move your hand over the front camera and move back. It will then alert you of the remaining time. You will need to be rather a bit slower than a typical motion of the camera. So do the gesture a bit slow to make this work. Again, it takes a few seconds to realize you are wanting it's attention.

There are a good set of alerts to choose from. It also include a nice Voice Over Tutorial in how to use the timer in general.

Overall, it is design as it stated in the description. Find yourself in a position you don't want to touch the phone when your hands are dirty. It will do as that.

Would like to see the app tweek up a bit so it doesn't seem sluggish to recognize voices and such. Plus, add the ability to set it for 90 seconds rather just in minutes would also be a great addition to the app.

Developer's Twitter Username

@mpaja

Options

Comments

By AnonyMouse on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 - 18:05

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team
What's New in Version 1.1

Make audio handling meeting friendly: VoiceOver is kept in headphones instead of using
speakers.

Added configuration option to sound alarm through speakers even when headphones are connected. So now alarm also can go just to headphones.

Added configuration option making proximity sensor usage optional.

By AnonyMouse on Saturday, December 21, 2013 - 18:05

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team
What's New in Version 1.2 Improved iPhone 5 support

By Marvin on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 - 18:05

This APP. is now FREE with longer timer features

By charles on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 - 18:05

SIRI will do a lot of what this app does. And, I think that, by using Siri, you can set a timer for hours, minutes, and seconds, although I could be mistaken. So, what are the advantages of this timer app for a totally blind user? Thanks.

By KE7ZUM on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 - 18:05

I think for one thing if you are off line or have an ipod which uses only wifi and if you don't have wifi, siri will not work. This could be another way to set a timmer.

Blessings and happy Thursday.

By riyu12345 (not verified) on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 - 18:05

Hi.

A post says the app is free but when I look it's a payed app.

I'd not use this app myself, yet, since I don't need it and siri can set timers for me, if I have to. But maybe when I move out, I'll give it a go since I'll be learning how to cook.

By Toonhead on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 - 18:05

This is still a paid app, at least as of yesterday, January 08, 2014. There are both paid and free versions. The free version only allows one sound to be played, to get more, you have to buy the paid one. But if Siri can set this up, I don't really see much of a use for it. if you have an iDevice that doesn't have Siri, though, and some folks do, this might come in handy.

By KE7ZUM on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 - 18:05

Or as I pointed out, if you are in air plain mode, you cannot se siri, like if you are, well, on a plane.

Take care.

By Usman on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 - 18:05

Moreover, in order for siri to be hands free, your phone would need to be plugged in. Though I've never used this app, from the description, it appears that the app can be used hands free even if the phone is unplugged making it more advantageous than siri.