It's kind of amazing that we don't have timer, stopwatch or compass....

[anony_mouse]

What are you smoking?? I mean, do you constantly get lost that you need to know which direction North is on a daily basis?

I really dislike this kind of post. The reasoning is kind of sociopathic - that if I don't need something, you don't need it either and are an ***** for even asking.

 

[Will6371]

And you don't need a weatherman to tell you which way the wind blows.

Tell me about it, I had bean last night.

 

[tgp]

Timer & Stopwatch: Avirall Time Suite
Compass: Jack of Tools Pro
Audio Recording: Voice Memos

All excellent apps. Jack of Tools Pro could use some metro UI polish, but functionality is all there.

This is part of the problem I have with where WP is headed. Remember a year ago? "WP has things built in; you don't need an app for everything."

What happened? Now we need apps for even the basic simple stuff.

 

[metalchick719]

I just downloaded a stopwatch app on my 810 on Friday morning. I assume the OP meant these tools being built into the phones...?

 

[David P2]

I wouldn't call them mandatory requirements for a phone. Except maybe to class as a feature on a phone that has very little else in the way of features. Examples being the older really cheap Nokias. And even if they were built in to current phones they would most likely gather proverbial dust from not being used due to better, fuller featured versions being available in the store.

 

[envio]

The problem with baking in more of these type of utilities into the OS, apart from the obvious bloat that would occur, is that some people would want to replace them with better 3rd party alternatives anyway and would complain that they weren't removable. Plus, as we've seen with each iteration since 7.0, Microsoft is not particularly agile at delivering timely updates to the core OS although I think they are getting better. That built-in timer could be stuck at version 1.0 for a year or more or, if the carriers have their way, stuck there forever.

 

[David P2]

There is a knack to removing system apps.. something to do with setting the date far into the future and trying to run it - it moans and asks you to remove it. Something like that anyway.

 

[loofmodnar]

I actually agree with a built in timer or stopwatch app would have been convenient more than a few times. For things like my laundry, cooking, and timing rounds during games. Sure I can download an app to do it but half the time I just have someone else use their phone since I don't want to be like "oh wait, let me find an app real quick"

Porting the alarms app from Win8 would be a nice solution.

 

[nicfromwales]

I actually agree with a built in timer or stopwatch app would have been convenient more than a few times. For things like my laundry, cooking, and timing rounds during games. Sure I can download an app to do it but half the time I just have someone else use their phone since I don't want to be like "oh wait, let me find an app real quick"

Porting the alarms app from Win8 would be a nice solution.

Download an app now and it'll be ready the next time you need a timer. You're welcome!

 

[crav4speed]

I really dislike this kind of post. The reasoning is kind of sociopathic - that if I don't need something, you don't need it either and are an ***** for even asking.

Well, I wouldn't call my response sociopathic... it's not like I'm seeking the destruction of windows phone or something! But asking that a person be fired from his job because of an app that can be downloaded from the store, I guess, is ok.

The OS should not be filled with bloatware or unnecessary apps. An OS should consist of only system files that are not required to be updated constantly and it seems Microsoft is doing the right thing and already moving in that direction by separating the calendar, music, video, etc. apps. I even think IE should be separated into its own app but it might be more difficult for browsers because of the deep hooks required. Any app that can be separated from the OS is a good thing. If you require one then that's fine. I'm not telling you to not use one but why include a non-essential app and take up extra space when you can download any of the hundreds already available from the store if you need it? But, I'm sorry, including an app just for the sake of including it does not make rational sense.

 

[gfunk84]

An issue that every seems to be ignoring is that the 3rd party timer apps are not accurate in the background due to API limitations. I just did a test 30 second timer with Avirall Time Suite and it was way off.

I'd like to see a native timer/stopwatch combined with alarms and accessible via Action Center. I frequently use my girlfriend's iPhone as a timer because it's so easy to just swipe up and start a timer even if the phone is locked.

A native flashlight toggle would also be useful.

 

[tgp]

An issue that every seems to be ignoring is that the 3rd party timer apps are not accurate in the background due to API limitations. I just did a test 30 second timer with Avirall Time Suite and it was way off.

Maybe that's why it's not even there in the first place; they'd probably need to modify the OS to make it work properly.

 

[Ankit Nawlakha]

3 years in and they cannot figure these out? I serious think they should fire Joe Belfiore....

We have apps like cool tools and jhak of tools.. Is it necessary for you to have all these small features built in??

 

[Dan Bumbarger]

An issue that every seems to be ignoring is that the 3rd party timer apps are not accurate in the background due to API limitations. I just did a test 30 second timer with Avirall Time Suite and it was way off.

I'd like to see a native timer/stopwatch combined with alarms and accessible via Action Center. I frequently use my girlfriend's iPhone as a timer because it's so easy to just swipe up and start a timer even if the phone is locked.

A native flashlight toggle would also be useful.

Isn't that crazy, not having the ability to have an actual functional timer? To me this is one of the core features of a smart (or dumb) phone, simple as it is, that I use every day. Though I love many things about windows phone, details like this will make me think twice before getting one for my next phone.

 

[pahutakz]

there is so many 3rd party apps there. try #1 toolkit

. Net & Web dev. AMA

 

[lcw731]

Onenote records audio. I use it all the time. With Cortana just say note and record your note after the prompt.

I didn't know that. Pretty cool. Thanks for the tip!

 

[typhon62_1]

I've tried all of the timer app's and they all suck and eat phone battery. I need a count down timer app for some physical therapy stretches I have to do. I tried every WP app out there and they all ate battery while running. I would go from 100% charge to near dead in 60 minutes (Att Nokia 920). I ended up using a timer app on my Android tablet.

I've pretty much tried all of the flashlight apps also and my biggest grip with them is the launch time. If I hit the flashlight app I want the light on asap, not 5-6 seconds later.

​

 

[tk-093]

I actually agree with a built in timer or stopwatch app would have been convenient more than a few times. For things like my laundry, cooking, and timing rounds during games. Sure I can download an app to do it but half the time I just have someone else use their phone since I don't want to be like "oh wait, let me find an app real quick"

Porting the alarms app from Win8 would be a nice solution.

That's exactly what Cortana is for. "Remind me to check my pizza in 12 minutes."

BAM, timer...

 

[tk-093]

I've tried all of the timer app's and they all suck and eat phone battery. I need a count down timer app for some physical therapy stretches I have to do. I tried every WP app out there and they all ate battery while running. I would go from 100% charge to near dead in 60 minutes (Att Nokia 920). I ended up using a timer app on my Android tablet.

I've pretty much tried all of the flashlight apps also and my biggest grip with them is the launch time. If I hit the flashlight app I want the light on asap, not 5-6 seconds later.

​

Try Flashlight-X. On my 928 it pretty much comes on in 2 seconds.

 

[QwarkDreams]

I kinda agree with the OP (except for the firing part). Why do we need to search the store for such basic apps? And maybe even have to pay for something that should have come with the OS.
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