Live Timers on Lock Screen vs VersaKey

The app began with a simple problem: during busy, hands-full moments, I didn't have time to repeatedly unlock my iPhone and open an app just to check several timers. Apple's built-in Clock app works well for basic timing. The difficulty begins when several timers are running. Finding the right timer on the Lock Screen can require waking the screen, expanding the timer stack, and sorting through several similar-looking entries. Upcoming alarms are not shown there before they ring, so checking what is scheduled means opening Clock and switching to the Alarms tab. Lock Screen controls can also be triggered accidentally when an iPhone wakes as it is taken from a pocket, bag, or drawer. What began as a solution for busy, hands-full moments has since evolved into a complete timer board spanning the iPhone, Lock Screen, and Apple Watch. Why it's better Instead of sorting through a stack of similar-looking timers, you get: • One color-coded board containing countdowns, scheduled alarms, and notes • Lock Screen Snapshots showing names, colors, remaining time, and expected finish times • Spoken alerts that tell you what is ready without requiring you to look • Musical ringtones, recorded sounds, and custom alarms made from audio or video files • A native seven-slot Apple Watch board • Lock Screen controls protected by iPhone authentication, including Face ID, to help prevent accidental taps • Saved timer configurations and Markdown notes • Siri controls and Home Screen widgets Key features • Several timers, together on your Lock Screen See countdowns and upcoming scheduled alarms together, with names and colors that make them easy to tell apart. Know what is running, what finishes next, and what is scheduled without opening the app. Choose Standard for the full seven-slot board with a featured timer and its controls, or Three Rows for larger rows that prioritize the timers needing your attention most. • Check with little or no interaction Just wake your iPhone’s screen to check multiple timers at a glance, without unlocking it or opening the app. On supported iPhones, Always-On Display makes checking even easier: you can see your timers while the screen is dimmed. • Quick controls, protected while locked Start, pause, resume, stop, or add extra time directly from the Snapshot. iPhone authentication, including Face ID, helps prevent accidental actions while the phone is locked. You can also hide timer names and note text for privacy. • Talking alarms that tell you what is ready Hear "Time for your meeting" or "Your break is over" instead of wondering which timer rang. Write your own spoken message, choose from five speech speed levels and five volume levels, and preview it before saving. • Musical ringtones and custom alarm sounds Choose from quieter musical ringtones and louder alarms. Assign a different sound to each timer, record your own alert, or import an audio or video file from Files and use up to 29 seconds of its audio as a ringtone. • Set up once, use again Save everyday timer configurations so you don't have to recreate them. Keep notes beside your timers, with simple Markdown formatting to make important details stand out. • Your timer board on your wrist View all seven slots in the native Apple Watch app. Control timers, edit notes, and quickly load saved setups or configure new timers. Timer and note changes require a connection to the paired iPhone. • Hands-free controls and quick Home Screen checks Use Siri to start, pause, resume, stop, reset, restart, or extend timers by voice. Add Home Screen widgets to see your timers alongside your other everyday information. • Adjust when plans change Add fixed or automatically calculated extra time when a task needs longer. Switch iPhone alarms to a quieter sound when needed, including timers already running.

VersaKey is a customizable keyboard for iPhone and iPad that makes everyday typing more convenient. Access numbers, punctuation, and symbols with a simple flick, without constantly switching between keyboard layouts. Choose your preferred layout, customize your keys, and adjust the keyboard to suit how you type. Numbers and symbols, right where you need them Why switch keyboard layouts just to type a number or symbol? With VersaKey, simply flick down on a key to enter its alternate character. Numbers, punctuation, and frequently used symbols are always within reach. You can also customize which characters appear on your keys and choose additional characters for long-press menus. Make the keyboard yours VersaKey gives you control over your typing experience. • Choose from QWERTY, AZERTY, Colemak, Dvorak, and Workman layouts • Remap letters, punctuation, and other supported keys • Assign custom characters and symbols to long-press menus • Add or remove a dedicated number row • Customize your toolbar with up to seven tools, or hide it entirely • Show or hide dedicated comma and period keys in portrait mode • Personalize your keyboard with different themes and visual styles • Adjust keyboard behavior to match your preferences Typing assistance that fits your needs VersaKey provides typing assistance to help reduce mistakes and make everyday writing more comfortable. Use basic Apple-powered corrections, or enable VersaKey’s optional typing assistance for additional features. Depending on your settings, typing assistance includes: • Autocorrect and spelling corrections • Word completion and suggestions • Next-word predictions • Auto-capitalization • Emoji suggestions for English words and emoticons • Adaptive touch targets that account for slightly misplaced taps Practice typing while VersaKey learns your touch Improve your typing speed and accuracy with VersaKey’s built-in Practice Lab. Practice with passages and word drills while tracking your progress. When personalization is enabled, VersaKey can use these exercises to learn where your fingers naturally land on the keyboard, helping it better interpret your touches over time. More than a keyboard VersaKey includes additional tools to make typing more convenient. • Save frequently used text and insert it using shortcuts or the toolbar • Apply Unicode text styles to your writing • Move the cursor by swiping across the space bar • Delete words and sentences using gestures • Browse emojis with an improved emoji palette and integrated search • Access accented characters and combining marks for more flexible multilingual typing English and French support Type in English or French with language-specific keyboard support. Choose the familiar QWERTY layout or switch to AZERTY for French typing. VersaKey also provides access to additional Unicode characters and combining marks, making it easier to write characters that aren’t readily available on standard keyboards. Built with privacy in mind Core keyboard features work directly on your device. Normal typing and customization do not require Full Access. Optional learning and typing analysis require Full Access, and you can choose to sync personalization through your private iCloud account. iCloud synchronization is disabled by default. VersaKey is designed to give you more control over your keyboard without sacrificing your privacy.