cloud93421.lol

How to Create a Timer ScreenSaver for Workouts, Pomodoro, and Presentations

Written by

admin

in

How to Create a Timer ScreenSaver for Workouts, Pomodoro, and PresentationsA timer screensaver blends function with visual appeal: it keeps a visible countdown or elapsed time while preventing screen burn-in and maintaining privacy when you step away. This article walks through designing and building a versatile timer screensaver suitable for workout intervals, Pomodoro focus sessions, and presentation timers. You’ll get planning guidance, UI/UX tips, cross-platform implementation options, and sample code to get started quickly.

Why a Timer ScreenSaver?

A timer screensaver serves three main purposes:

  • Visible timing — lets you see remaining time at a glance without unlocking the screen.
  • Screen protection — keeps pixels moving to avoid burn-in on OLED/AMOLED displays.
  • Aesthetic and focus — offers a clean, distraction-minimized interface tuned for specific activities like exercise, focused work, or speaking.

Planning and Requirements

Decide your target platforms

Pick where the screensaver should run:

  • Desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux) — traditional screensaver behavior (activate on idle).
  • Single-board computers or kiosks (Raspberry Pi, Intel NUC) — often used for gyms or meeting rooms.
  • Smart TVs or streaming devices — for large-room timers.
  • Mobile (iOS/Android) — usually implemented as a foreground app that simulates a screensaver because true screensavers are restricted.

Core features

At minimum:

  • Start/stop controls and pause/resume.
  • Preset modes: Workout (intervals), Pomodoro (⁄5 cycles), Presentation (countdown and elapsed).
  • Large, legible time display with configurable fonts/colors.
  • Optional audio/visual alerts at intervals or when time completes.
  • Auto-return to previous screen when unlocked or user input detected.
  • Energy-friendly animations and dark-mode support.

Optional extras:

  • Customizable intervals and sequences (e.g., Tabata, HIIT).
  • Sound and vibration options.
  • Remote control via keyboard, Bluetooth, or network API.
  • Logging and session history.

UX Design Guidelines

Legibility and hierarchy

  • Use a large primary time display (at least 48–72 pt for presentations).
  • Secondary info (phase name, round count, total time) should be smaller and less prominent.
  • Strong contrast (light text on dark background or vice versa). For OLED, prefer dark backgrounds to save power.

Minimal distractions

  • Avoid busy backgrounds and unnecessary motion.
  • Use subtle animations for transitions and alerts, not constant visual noise.

Accessibility

  • Provide high-contrast themes and adjustable font sizes.
  • Offer audio cues with captions or haptic feedback where relevant.

Implementation Options (high-level)

1) Web-based screensaver (cross-platform, easy distribution)

  • Build with HTML/CSS/JavaScript. Run full-screen in a browser or packaged as an Electron app.
  • Pros: fast iteration, responsive UI, easy styling.
  • Cons: higher resource use if packaged as Electron; browser full-screen policies on some OSes.

2) Native desktop screensaver modules

  • Windows: create .scr (Win32) or UWP app with screensaver behavior.
  • macOS: create a Screen Saver bundle (.saver) using Objective-C/Swift and ScreenSaver framework.
  • Linux: use xscreensaver or gnome-screensaver integrations; create a full-screen X11/Wayland app.
  • Pros: integrates with OS idle behavior; best performance.
  • Cons: more platform-specific work.

3) Kiosk/embedded device app

  • Build lightweight apps on Raspberry Pi (Python + Pygame, or Node + Electron with kiosk mode).
  • Pros: dedicated device for gyms or meeting rooms.
  • Cons: hardware maintenance.

Example: Web-based Timer Screensaver (HTML/CSS/JS)

Below is a concise, extendable example you can run in any modern browser. It supports three modes: Workout (simple intervals), Pomodoro, and Presentation.

<!doctype html> <html lang="en"> <head> <meta charset="utf-8" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width,initial-scale=1" /> <title>Timer Screensaver</title> <style>   :root{     --bg:#0a0a0c; --fg:#e6eef6; --accent:#4fd1c5;     --large:8vw; --medium:3vw;   }   html,body{height:100%;margin:0;background:var(--bg);color:var(--fg);font-family:Inter,system-ui,Segoe UI,Roboto,Arial;}   .screen{height:100%;display:flex;flex-direction:column;align-items:center;justify-content:center;text-align:center;padding:2rem;}   .time{font-size:var(--large);letter-spacing:0.02em;font-weight:600;}   .label{font-size:var(--medium);opacity:0.85;margin-top:0.6rem;}   .controls{position:fixed;left:1rem;top:1rem;display:flex;gap:.5rem;}   button{background:transparent;border:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.08);color:var(--fg);padding:.5rem .8rem;border-radius:.4rem;cursor:pointer;}   .hidden{display:none}   .mode-pill{background:linear-gradient(90deg,rgba(79,209,197,.12),transparent);padding:.4rem .6rem;border-radius:999px;border:1px solid rgba(79,209,197,.12);color:var(--accent);}   @media (max-width:600px){:root{--large:18vw;--medium:5vw}} </style> </head> <body>   <div class="controls">     <button id="startBtn">Start</button>     <button id="pauseBtn" class="hidden">Pause</button>     <button id="resetBtn">Reset</button>     <div style="width:12px"></div>     <select id="modeSelect">       <option value="presentation">Presentation (10:00)</option>       <option value="pomodoro">Pomodoro (25m)</option>       <option value="workout">Workout (30s/15s x8)</option>     </select>   </div>   <div class="screen" id="screen">     <div class="mode-pill" id="modeLabel">Presentation</div>     <div class="time" id="timeDisplay">10:00</div>     <div class="label" id="subLabel">Remaining</div>   </div> <script> const startBtn = document.getElementById('startBtn'); const pauseBtn = document.getElementById('pauseBtn'); const resetBtn = document.getElementById('resetBtn'); const modeSelect = document.getElementById('modeSelect'); const timeDisplay = document.getElementById('timeDisplay'); const modeLabel = document.getElementById('modeLabel'); const subLabel = document.getElementById('subLabel'); let timer = null, remaining = 600, running=false; let workoutState = {round:1,phase:'work',workSec:30,restSec:15,totalRounds:8}; function formatTime(s){   const mm = String(Math.floor(s/60)).padStart(2,'0');   const ss = String(s%60).padStart(2,'0');   return `${mm}:${ss}`; } function setMode(mode){   if(mode==='presentation'){ remaining=600; modeLabel.textContent='Presentation'; subLabel.textContent='Remaining'; }   if(mode==='pomodoro'){ remaining=25*60; modeLabel.textContent='Pomodoro'; subLabel.textContent='Focus'; }   if(mode==='workout'){ workoutState={round:1,phase:'work',workSec:30,restSec:15,totalRounds:8}; remaining=workoutState.workSec; modeLabel.textContent='Workout'; subLabel.textContent=`Round ${workoutState.round} — Work`; }   timeDisplay.textContent=formatTime(remaining); } modeSelect.addEventListener('change', e=>{ setMode(e.target.value); }); function tick(){   if(remaining>0){ remaining--; updateUI(); }   else { onComplete(); } } function updateUI(){   timeDisplay.textContent = formatTime(remaining);   if(modeSelect.value==='workout'){     subLabel.textContent = `Round ${workoutState.round} — ${workoutState.phase==='work'?'Work':'Rest'}`;   } } function start(){   if(running) return;   running=true;   startBtn.classList.add('hidden'); pauseBtn.classList.remove('hidden');   timer = setInterval(()=>{     if(modeSelect.value==='workout'){       if(remaining>0){ remaining--; updateUI(); }       else {         if(workoutState.phase==='work'){           workoutState.phase='rest'; remaining=workoutState.restSec;         } else {           workoutState.round++;           if(workoutState.round>workoutState.totalRounds){ clearInterval(timer); onComplete(); return; }           workoutState.phase='work'; remaining=workoutState.workSec;         }         updateUI();       }     } else {       tick();     }   },1000); } function pause(){   running=false; clearInterval(timer); startBtn.classList.remove('hidden'); pauseBtn.classList.add('hidden'); } function reset(){   pause();   setMode(modeSelect.value); } function onComplete(){   pause();   timeDisplay.textContent = "00:00";   subLabel.textContent = "Done";   // simple alert sound   const a = new Audio('data:audio/wav;base64,UklGRiQAAABXQVZFZm10IBAAAAABAAEAESsAACJWAAACABAAZGF0YQAAAAA=');   a.play().catch(()=>{}); } startBtn.addEventListener('click', start); pauseBtn.addEventListener('click', pause); resetBtn.addEventListener('click', reset); setMode('presentation'); // prevent sleep while running (Browser Wake Lock API) let wakeLock = null; async function requestWakeLock(){   try {     if('wakeLock' in navigator && running){       wakeLock = await navigator.wakeLock.request('screen');       wakeLock.addEventListener('release', ()=>{ wakeLock=null; });     }   } catch(e){ console.warn('WakeLock failed', e); } } setInterval(requestWakeLock, 2000); </script> </body> </html>

Notes:

  • The example uses an inline silent WAV data URI to attempt a minimal beep on completion; replace with proper audio files for richer alerts.
  • For kiosk deployments, open the page in full-screen and hide controls via URL parameters or a “kiosk” mode option.

Packaging as a Screensaver or Kiosk App

  • Electron: Wrap the web app in Electron and run in frameless, full-screen mode. On Windows you can create a .scr by registering your app with the screensaver extension and implementing command-line modes (/s, /c, /p).
  • macOS: Use the ScreenSaver framework to embed a WebView or write a native view showing the timer.
  • Raspberry Pi: Use Chromium in kiosk mode (chromium-browser --kiosk --app=file:///path/to/page.html) or build a lightweight Python app (pygame/pyglet) if resource-constrained.

Audio and Notifications

  • Keep audio short and non-intrusive; provide an option to disable.
  • For Pomodoro, notify at the end of focus and break periods.
  • For presentations, consider a subtle color change at 2 minutes remaining and a vibrating/LED alert if the device supports it.

Testing and Metrics

  • Test legibility from typical viewing distances: 1–3 meters for presentations, arm’s length for desktop.
  • Measure CPU/GPU usage and tweak animations to reduce power draw.
  • Test wake-lock behavior across browsers and platforms; fallback to inactivity detection if API unavailable.

Example Use Cases and Sequences

  • Workout (HIIT): 45s work / 15s rest × 10 rounds — show round counter, progress bar, and a short chime at each transition.
  • Pomodoro: 25m focus / 5m break × 4 cycles — show current cycle and long break after 4 cycles.
  • Presentation: Countdown from chosen length with optional elapsed timer displayed on a smaller line for speaker notes.

Security and Privacy Notes

  • If you add networked features (remote control or logs), use authentication and TLS.
  • Avoid exposing sensitive data on the screensaver; screensavers are visible when an unattended device is idle.

Next Steps — Quick checklist

  • Choose platform and mode (web vs native).
  • Create minimal UI mockups for each mode.
  • Implement core timer loop and accessibility options.
  • Add audio/visual alerts and test wake-lock/sleep behavior.
  • Package and deploy (Electron for cross-platform, .saver for macOS, .scr for Windows, kiosk mode for Raspberry Pi).

If you want, I can:

  • Provide a ready-to-build Electron wrapper and packaging steps for Windows/macOS.
  • Extend the web example to support configurable presets, theming, or remote control.

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More posts