TickTime Cube: FirstLook
Make every second count
We are big proponents of “back of the envelop” thinking. To do that, we don’t dwell on the minutia, but try to focus on the big picture. An example would be the idea of “30,000 days,” which is the average lifespan of a human being. For some things, that is a lot of time, for others, not nearly enough, but the number is useful for framing a lot of time-based considerations.
Big pictures aside, there are times when minutes and seconds count (times when minutes count, geddit?). For those times, we—just like everyone else, we imagine—use a timer. Regardless of the form of the timer (egg, kitchen, sand, app on a watch, et cetera) most people use them without giving them a second thought…unless you work at TickTime!
TickTime Cube
Want an easy-to-set-and-use timer? We have used a lot of timers over the years, and we can honestly say that the TickTime Cube is one of the most clever, functional, and simple to use timers we have come across. Ever.
A box shaped like a cube, containing a timer shaped like a cube – where every side is useful!
There is not much in the box, but don’t let that fool you: there is A LOT packed into that tiny black cube of time.
The TickTime Timer cube: good for soft boiled eggs, and everything else you need to keep track of the time for (like hard-boiled eggs).
TickTime Specs:
- Two LED display screens (front, rear);
- Four physical control buttons (Power, volume, Minute, Second);
- Internal beeper with vibrate mode;
- USB-C charging port and PD charging support;
- Battery capacity: 550mAh, 25hrs continuous/180 days standby, 3 hours to charge;
- Size and weight: 43mm x 43mm x 43mm, 55g.
Also good for not over-baking chocolate chip cookies—and to see if you can still run a mile in the same time you could in high school.
Small, compact, useful.
FirstLook
- Four preset timers (1-min, 3-min, 5-min, 10-min);
- Custom countdown timer;
- Stopwatch;
- Flip to start;
- Tap Control;
- Magnetic surface.
There is no time you cannot time with this thing.
The four most often used timer settings are preset on the Cube. To use, just hold/rest the cube so the desired time span is face up, and the Cube will automatically switch to that timer.
It does not get any easier than that 🙂
A role of the dice (so to speak) and you can be timing anything.
The back surface of the Cube is magnetic…so it will stick on the fridge or any ferrous surface. A very nice UX detail!
On the side of a stainless steel cabinet. Also works on that Partridge Family lunch box you still have and don’t tell anyone about.
Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method created by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s, to track progress and get things done.
It uses a kitchen timer (the original one was—wait for it—in the shape of a tomato) to break work into small chunks, usually 25 minutes at a stretch, separated by breaks.
Works with Pomodoro, limoncello, and BBR (Baby-Back-Ribs) techniques.
The TickTime Cube has specific support for those interested in following Cirillo’s method of time management. Its features help users:
- manage their time so they can work on a task without distractions,
- be more disciplined about work, and
- resist against the urge to multitask.
We’ll have more to say about it in the FirstUse writeup later in November.
How much time we need, and how much of that time is left.
FirstThoughts:
We were a little skeptical when the editors agreed to take a look at a timer because, seriously, how much difference can one timer be from another? However, after playing with/studying the Cube, we think this is one of the most well-conceived gadget we have had in-house this year.
Whether you need a timer or not, go get one. You will be impressed!!!
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