Simple Timer MR

Inspiration

Checking the time disrupts Mixed Reality (MR) experiences. We call this the "Immersion-Interruption Dilemma." Our solution is Simple Timer MR: an "air-like utility" that blends time management seamlessly with physical reality, allowing users to stay focused without breaking their flow.

What it does

Simple Timer MR lets you place infinite virtual timers anywhere in your room, just like Post-it notes. Put a "Focus Timer" by your monitor or a "Boiling Timer" next to the stove.

Visualizing Time: Place timers exactly where needed to balance productivity and immersion.
Tactile Interaction: No complex menus. Simply reach out to grab a timer from thin air and physically "press" the button. It feels like a real object.

How we built it

We prioritized a robust, native feel using Unity and the Meta OpenXR SDK.

Passthrough: Used Meta Quest Camera for a clear, distortion-free view.
Hand Tracking: Integrated Meta Hand Tracking Aim for natural pinching and placing. To ensure reliability, we avoided external services, relying solely on standard Meta SDKs and the Unity XR Interaction Toolkit.

Challenges we ran into

Our biggest hurdle was hand tracking consistency. Gestures that worked on PC often failed on standalone Quest devices. The Solution: We simplified interactions. Instead of complex gestures, we refined the mechanics to a robust "Pinch to Grab" and "Push to Click," fine-tuning them on actual hardware for a frustration-free experience.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

Tactile Feel: We achieved satisfying feedback where users feel like they are physically pressing buttons.
Seamless UI: We optimized the design to blend calmly into reality rather than standing out as a distracting digital overlay.

What we learned

The Power of Subtraction: We pivoted from a complex app to a simple timer, learning that "ultimate simplicity" is the best UX for MR.
Hardware Reality: Simulators aren't enough. We established a process of "verification on-device" from day one.

What's next for Simple Timer MR

Short-term: We will add customization (colors, sounds) and "Timer Chaining" for routines like workouts.
Long-term: We aim to become the standard utility suite for MR. We plan to release an API, allowing other developers to integrate our simple tools into their own fitness or education apps.