| Home > Reviews > Productivity Software > |
| BinaryClock |
by JoAnn R, Staff Writer - 3/7/2006 - 8:48am EST
|
Some apps are nearly indispensable for owners of PalmOS devices. Others fill more...specialized niches. BinaryClock, developed by Tam Hanna of Tamoggemon Software, falls into the second category. The manual asks:
Ever wanted a new kind of clock? One that - um - wasn't like all the other ones people have? A clock that is easy to read for yourself, but impossible for third parties?
I can't say I've ever felt a need to conceal the time of day from passers-by...but what the heck, let's have a look anyway.
Features and First Impressions
|
|
| BinaryClock display showing 10:29:16 AM |
Starting BinaryClock for the first time was a little confusing, since I was immediately presented with a hypnotically shifting pattern of black squares and rectangles on an otherwise bare white screen. However, the accompanying manual does a good job of explaining the system. Six columns represent HH:MM:SS, and four rows are used to represent the integers 1, 2, 4, and 8 from bottom to top (an empty column indicates a zero). The integers 3, 5, 6, 7, and 9 are read by adding up the positions of more than one marker in a column. This mental arithmetic can be tedious, and in my opinion it would require considerable practice to read the display quickly.
But fear not, Binary Clock can also be made to display a text string with the time in user-configurable notation and your choice of colors. Colors and shapes in the binary display are also highly customizable, and almost anyone should be able to find a visually pleasing configuration. In fact, BinaryClock would make a novel screensaver for those who like to use the "stay on in cradle" option. However, the app does not include automated screensaver features, so if you want to use it this way, you will need to start it manually each time.
Although advertised as being switchable from landscape to portrait mode, BinaryClock appears to be landscape-only on the Zodiac. It must also be installed in main memory, but with its 50k free RAM requirement, this is hardly a problem.
The most traditional (and also the most practical) part of this app is its alarm clock feature. Unlike the Zodiac's native clock app, Binary Clock lets you configure a different alarm for each day of the week. Alarm sounds can be selected from those available to the Zodiac, and in addition the rumble effect can be enabled. Curiously, the rumble effect cannot be substituted for an alarm, but must be used in conjunction with one. Repeat alarms and snooze settings are highly customizable.
Features I would have liked to see, but which are not included, include the ability to start the week with Sunday instead of Monday, an audible notification when a different alarm sound is selected, the ability to change alarm volume from within BinaryClock, and the option for a silent alarm. However, even without these features, BinaryClock adds functionality that is missing from the Zodiac's stock clock app.
The Bottom Line
As a relatively inexpensive novelty, BinaryClock may appeal to those who like unusual time-telling apps, and its alarm function expands the Zodiac’s capabilities in an easy-to-use manner.
Pros:
*Inexpensive
*Novel
*Expands alarm capabilities
Cons:
*Binary display can be tedious to use
*Lack of portrait mode may be a dealbreaker for some.
*No silent alarm on Zodiac
A demo version of BinaryClock is available from Tamogemmon Software’s download site. The full version may be purchased for $6.21 USD at Softonic or $4.49 USD at PalmGear.
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Advertisements |
 |
|