apfelbaumGROUP UG, the developers of TIOnixie – Alarm Clock – Stop Watch – Timer, has released their latest update. The already feature rich three-in-one application has added even more functions to its retro Nixie tube timekeeping program. Now, in addition to the alarm, stop watch and timer, developers have included a flashlight, icon dimming and connection to a user’s iPod library.
Many fans of the Nixie tube display will remember its warm glow of numbers and funky look. TIOnixie has replicated that feel and style in the app’s retro display. The clock itself can show the time in a twelve or twenty-four hour format with both modes displaying the hour, minute and seconds. The date also appears, located below the time.
Why did developers choose a Nixie design? According to CEO, Thomas Huebner, "We are just fans of the starting era of digital technologies. When the app store opened and the first nixie clocks came, we were ashamed by the poor design of them. For us – and especially me as a designer – it was too obvious what they did wrong. So, there wasn´t really an option to do a nice Nixie clock, more or less it was something we had to do."
To give TIOnixie its authentic appearance, Huebner created the display from pictures of tubes made behind the Iron Curtain in the sixties. The app’s numbers have the warm glow reminiscent of that time era, while providing modern precision timekeeping. apfelbaumGROUP has been successful in coming up with the perfect Nixie design and function. The app has earned a place in the Top Ten of it’s category in Germany and has been featured by Apple as ‘New and Noteworthy’ in Germany and Austria. They could have let the TIOnixie app stand without improving it but chose to add features and value for their users.
In addition to the clock, alarm with three different sound options, timer and stop watch, the application now offers a flashlight that is turned on and off by shaking the device, icon dimming of the screen and the ability to choose songs from the iPod library for use as alarm sounds. The app’s interface is attractive and easy to use with swipe or tap touch controls. Changing the time or starting and stopping any of the functions is a fast and simple matter.
Features:
- 12 / 24 hour time format
- Alarm clock incl. 3 different sounds and connection to the iPod library
- Stop watch
- Timer
- Icons fade out to have a nice and clear screen (just tap anywhere to get them back)
- Screen dimming: double tap the screen for dimming, tap once again to revoke it
- Shake for light: shake the device to turn on the flashlight, shake again to turn it off.
- Portrait and landscape mode in all three functions (just turn the device)
- Animated rotation
- Auto lock on / off
- Show / hide date incl. calendar week
TIOnixie – Alarm Clock – Stop Watch – Timer is like the Swiss Army Knife of clock apps but its numerous features are just useful icing on the cake. The true Nixie tube look is reason enough for users to download the app.
Device Requirements:
- iPhone 3G and iPod touch
- Requires iPhone OS 3.0 or later for all features
- 1.3 MB
Pricing and Availability:
TIOnixie – Alarm Clock – Stop Watch – Timer 1.1.1 is only $1.99 (USD) and available worldwide exclusively through the App Store in the Utilities category.
