Best Pomodoro iphone app?
I'm going to try Pomodoro to stay focussed - anyone recommend a good iphone app? there seems to be several out there
Cheers
Kenny
I'm going to try Pomodoro to stay focussed - anyone recommend a good iphone app? there seems to be several out there
Cheers
Kenny
2 Posted by Proximo on 09 Dec, 2010 08:19 PM
@Kenny
I don't use an iPhone app but I do have a good Adobe Air app that runs on my Windows 7 Desktop.
It's a simple 25 minute Promodoro Timer that accounts for the breaks automatically. You can adjust each time segment to meet your needs.
I use the focus concept of Promodoro with GTD but I don't bother to use the entire system. I do admit that I started to think of my task in the number of Promodoro's it needs vs. the time it needs. :-)
I stick to the simple 25 minute focus concept with the small break and it really does help me focus. I don't take calls, read emails or allow someone to walk in my office and iterrupt me unless it's an emergency.
Don't always get through my Promodoro time period, but it gives me something to shoot for and it helps no matter what.
Here is a link to the Adobe Air app I use.
http://www.focusboosterapp.com/
3 Posted by Kenny Grant on 10 Dec, 2010 08:50 AM
@Proximo - Thanks I think I'll try that too, the time I need focus the most is at my work desktop so I think it makes sense for the app to be a windows app.
I struggle with focus too.....especially when every 10 mins I fancy browsing the latest posts on this forum ;P
4 Posted by Proximo on 10 Dec, 2010 03:12 PM
@Kenny
Focus is a problem for most of us and I am no different.
In my line of work, I have people walking into my office all the time asking for help. It's weird for me to tell them. "Can this wait about another 12 minutes and 30 seconds? I am in the middle of a Promodoro" They look at me like I am insane.
Here is a tip for anyone thinking of using the Promodoro technique to keep you focused while you work.
Explain to your co-workers what it is and why you are trying to use it. It prevents them from thinking your are a nut case. :-)
5 Posted by Ken on 10 Dec, 2010 07:58 PM
@Proximo - thanks for the focus booster info.. I think it's the best 'Pomodoro' timer I've seen. Probably best to download it and have it upfront in all windows rather than using live version on-line only. Just in case you lose an internet connection and wind up staying focused too long! ;-)
6 Posted by Proximo on 10 Dec, 2010 11:04 PM
Here is where I keep my FocusBooster (Promodoro Timer)
7 Posted by Kenny Grant on 14 Dec, 2010 08:34 AM
@Proximo
Thanks for the tip, I'll seriously consider it.
Hopefully Pomodoro technique will then spread around the office - makes a change from me evangelising GTD all day! :o)
8 Posted by Proximo on 14 Dec, 2010 06:57 PM
Sometimes Promodoro is like a game to me. I try my best to make it through a 25 minute period and it's a challenge sometimes. :-)
The best part is the 5 minute reward after each session. I have yet to reward myself with the 15 minute break because I can't accomplish 4 Promodoro's successfully.
I use the 5 minute breaks to write post on the Nirvana forums. ROFL
9 Posted by Dean on 16 Dec, 2010 07:30 PM
Hey guys,
NIce posts. I'm reading and haven't finished the Pomodoro document yet but
about half way through. I need to set a Pomodoro to finish reading the Pomodoro!
I'll try the download by Proximo.
Here is another timer I've found real helpful. It's called cool timer and it can be a stop watch, count down timer or wake up timer. I like this cause I see the digits ticking away. One I use for a count down timer ie 25 minutes ( like the Pomodero idea) and the other one I use as a stop watch to keep track of real time worked. So I'm clicking that on and off when ever I take a break or my mind wonders. I try to do 4 hours a day of real focused time.
The timer is free and you can change the colors and include a popup screen at
the end if you choose that plays music or your choice of sounds.
http://download.cnet.com/Cool-Timer/3000-2350_4-10400996.html
PS 5 hours energy drinks helps the focus too! Love 'em darn little red bottles!
10 Posted by Dean on 16 Dec, 2010 10:30 PM
Proximo,
Hey thanks for the focusbooster app! I think I'm switching timers.
I like the idea that once the 25 minutes starts you can't (that I can see)
pause it. As the doc' says it's indivisible! And the auto' 5 minute
break is real cool. Plus the ticking sound helps me concentrate.
Do you try to get a certain amount of promodoros a day?
11 Posted by Proximo on 16 Dec, 2010 11:06 PM
@Dean,
When I first started using the timer, I tried to pause it during a distraction which is cheating. It's cool that it won't let you do it.
I don't have a daily goal of Promodoros but what I try to accomplish is getting through as many successful promodoro's for the current task I am working on.
The honest truth is that I rarely make it to 2 successful promodoro's. I do accomplish many single promodoro's, go on my 5 minute break and jump on something else.
One thing I am trying to do is work on one task until it's finish but this is not always possible with the reality of a crazy office environment where things are always shifting gears.
I still find that the promodoro timer pushes me to stay on focus much longer than I would accomplish without it. I am still trying to get better at finishing the promodoro's I started. It feels good when you reach the end, you stayed on track, you prevented distractions and your closer to completing the task.
12 Posted by Dean on 16 Dec, 2010 11:42 PM
Cool! :)
Thanks for sharing!
13 Posted by MJ on 25 Dec, 2010 10:09 PM
I'm new to the whole Pomodoro concept, but i'm truly loving it so far and there's no doubt that it has helped me with my focus recently.
I tried a few iphone apps, but my search ended with 'PomodoroPro' by Peer Assembly. Really nice/cool design and functions like it should.
There are cheaper options out there of course, but i have to admit that i'm a sucker for a good design. :)
14 Posted by Proximo on 27 Dec, 2010 01:48 PM
@MJ
Thanks for the link to PromodoroPro.
I don't use Promodoro as my Productivity System, but I use it to supplement GTD. The idea of timing your focus sessions has really been helpful.
15 Posted by shawn on 27 Dec, 2010 04:26 PM
I personally like Pomodoro Timer from Navel Labs. Very focused and looks just like a real timer.
16 Posted by dean on 27 Dec, 2010 05:48 PM
Nice P. TImer at Navel Labs but anyone know one similar for the android system?
17 Posted by DaGe on 07 Jan, 2011 08:09 AM
best app so far for iphone is iTimeBox....i have tried most of them
18 Posted by Proximo on 11 Jan, 2011 04:13 PM
For those who prefer a Windows 7 Gadget that does not require you to open your Promodoro App. Here is a link to a simple timer that works for Promodoro.
The only down side to this timer, is that it will allow you to pause which goes against the Promodoro idea. Other than that, it's really simple and nice. The benefit of a Windows 7 Gadget is that it lives on your Desktop at all times and there is no need to launch the program when you need it.
I will be using it for a while and see if I prefer the Gadget benefits over the Focus Booster application that I must launch when I want to use.
http://goo.gl/qhHYm
19 Posted by John Carry on 18 Dec, 2011 02:26 PM
Have you tested Pomio? It's Pomodoro timer with also task management. For me the best avalaible for IOS. http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pomio/id483241074?mt=8
20 Posted by Phil on 19 Dec, 2011 10:45 PM
This thread got me into pomodoro, as I hadn't really used it much before.
I found an iPhone app called Phocus. It's really slick with a fair amount of settings and a totally beautiful and intuitive user interface.
http://appshopper.com/productivity/phocus-%E2%80%94-a-beautiful-pro...
21 Posted by Phil on 20 Dec, 2011 02:37 AM
I am seriously loving this app. It's so well designed.
Check out this video (not made by me).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYolkZLMFL4
22 Posted by Proximo on 22 Dec, 2011 03:17 AM
Very nice iPhone app. May have to get this one.
23 Posted by Geert on 23 Dec, 2011 09:16 AM
I use Tomighty (see http://www.tomighty.org/ ) on my desktop computer. It's easy, simple, free, and unobtrusive: it displays the remaining minutes of your Pomodoro as an icon in the system tray.
Phocus for iPhone looks really nice, but I do most, if not all, of my work at my desktop computer, so there's really no need to have an iPhone app.
24 Posted by anthonybhill on 20 Jan, 2012 05:25 PM
I have been doing the Pomodoro thing for quite a while. The best tool I found is:
MFC-Anwendung Timer, timer.exe
It is lightweight, starts instantly from the Windows desktop and has up to six individual timers you can set to any interval you want. I set one for 25 min, 5 min, 10 min, one hour, etc. Sometimes I don't want the strict 25 min, 5 min interval. For example sometimes I just want to hit an activity hard for 10 min then stop.
I have not looked at Focus Booster and will check it out.