Toastmasters Timer 4+

Spinning the dials is quite an inconvenient way to set timing points. As different Toastmasters speeches are standard length ranges, it would be nice to have a series of preset speech lengths already set up.

I haven't yet played with the timing alerts but noted the comments in previous reviews.

Very simple. It only keeps time but that's all I want anyways. Works well.

The toastmasters timer app is a nice idea, but it needs some refinements.

Currently, when the desired time arrives, the app prompts the user by displaying a message to turn on the [external] timing light for that interval (green, amber, red). Most other timer apps will simply change the background colour to green, Amber, or red, or have a prominent part of the display screen change colour with the time interval. No other timer apps will prompt the user to turn on a separate timing light. This proves to be clumsy and less convenient than using a simple stop watch.

There needs to be a label on the dial that you use to set the times for the green, amber, and red lights. Something like "run your finger around the dial to set the time". This dial is similar to the old iPod Classic.

There needs to be a "settings" icon where the user can specify the sound to be on or off, save some common timings, such as table topics for 1 to 2 minutes, a speech for 5 to 7 minutes, and so on. Toastmaster club members know all about these common time settings for speeches and table topics.

There might be an option for a count down clock. One other timing app allows you to tap the time numbers to switch from a count up to a count down clock, without losing the desired time.

I like the big numbers on the count-up clock. They are easy to see across the room.

There could be an audio signal for vision impaired speakers.

This app is in its infancy, and will no doubt improve as suggestions pour in.

Jim Taylor, DTM