Amherst, Massachusetts – Gone are the days of holding up fingers or minutes-remaining signs for the presenter to notice or interrupting speakers to tell them that they are out of time. Midnight Oil Enterprises, LLC has announced the release of Presentime 1.3 for iOS, an update to their synchronized countdown timer for speakers and performers. Presentime is an easy-to-use countdown timer with a big difference. In addition to operating as a stand-alone timer, Presentime can be used as a broadcasting Master Timer or synchronized with a Master Timer.
Presentime incorporates iOS 7’s Multipeer Connectivity for direct device-to-device interaction, so a device at the podium can be adjusted on the fly by a moderator or colleague in the audience. A quick glance at the Presentime app from time to time is all that is needed to adapt to the time remaining.
The latest update adds a “please stop now!” buzzer button that appears on the Master Timer once the allotted time has expired. When pressed by the moderator, the screen on a synchronized device flashes brightly, accompanied by a bell sound and vibration.
“We’ve all attended, or even been in charge of, meetings where some presenters continue well past their allotted time,” says Midnight Oil Enterprises co-founder Dan Corkill. “With Presentime’s new ‘Buzz’ button, the moderator can remind everyone near the podium (repeatedly, if necessary) that it is time to stop. It’s a must-have feature for session chairs who’d rather not have to interrupt an overrunning speaker to tell them they’re done.”
Synchronized, on-the-fly adjustment:
Meeting chairs or directors can pause the Master Timer if the presenter is interrupted and even adjust the time remaining on the fly, if appropriate. Changes made at the Master Timer device are reflected at all synchronized devices. Synchronization uses iOS 7’s Multipeer Connectivity framework, which enables direct device-to-device discovery and connection via WiFi or bluetooth without a network connection or bluetooth pairing. Direct synchronization is ideal for venues without internet access.
Using Presentime is fast and easy:
To set the presentation time, simply touch the Set button and then slide your finger up and down on the time display, Time-remaining alert settings are adjusted by sliding the yellow, orange, and red alert marks left and right. Then touch the Start button to begin timing.
During the presentation, the allotted time can be adjusted up or down in thirty-second amounts by using the two time-adjustment buttons that appear in context. The time added or removed is indicated on the countdown display. The time-remaining alert marks can also be adjusted during the presentation, if appropriate, and a Pause/Resume button is also available. As the time remaining drops below each alert setting, the display background changes color to alert the presenter. The alert can be augmented with optional sound or, on iPhones, vibration.
If the alloted time has expired, the display flashes every second to catch the presenter’s attention. Sound or vibration when the time has expired is also available. Timing is stopped by touching the End button for one second, and preparing for the next presenter begins again by touching the Set button. Default allotted and alert-time values can be adjusted in the app’s Settings screen, so setting up the next in a series of equal length presentations requires touching only the Set and then the Start buttons.
Synchronizing devices is equally simple. All that is needed is to select “Synched” on the segmented mode control and then enter the four-digit connection ID of the Master Timer.
Major features:
* Direct device-to-device discovery and synchronization via WiFi or bluetooth without a network connection or bluetooth pairing
* Adjustable yellow, orange, and red time-remaining alert settings and flashing time-expired notification with optional sound or vibration
* Quick presentation-time and time-remaining alert setting using gestures
* “Night” mode for darkly lit rooms
Three operating modes:
1) Stand-alone timer
2) Broadcasting Master Timer
3) Synchronized with a Master Timer
New in Presentime version 1.3:
* Master Timer “Please stop now” buzz button that signals synchronized devices to vibrate, play a sound, and flash their screens
* Sounds and vibrations are now silenced automatically in Master Timer mode
Supports all devices running iOS 7 or later. Ad hoc peer-to-peer wireless networking requires:
* iPhone 5 or later
* iPad Air or 4th generation
* iPad mini
* iPod touch 5th generation
* Universal Application
* 1.8 MB
Pricing and Availability:
Presentime 1.3 is $1.99 USD (or equivalent amount in other currencies) and available worldwide exclusively through the App Store in the Productivity category. It is a free upgrade from earlier versions.
Midnight Oil Enterprises, LLC
Presentime 1.3
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Midnight Oil Enterprises, LLC was founded in 2009 by Susan Lander and Dan Corkill. Located in Amherst, Massachusetts, we strive to produce high quality iOS apps that are intuitive and easy to use. Copyright (C) 2014 Midnight Oil Enterprises, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Presentime is a trademark of Midnight Oil Enterprises, LLC. Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries.