The main function of ComicTools is a countdown timer for standup comedians on stage. One can adjust the number of minutes at which the screen color starts green, turns to yellow, and turns to red. So it may be used offstage to indicate quickly how much time they have left, and by how much time theyre going over with a negative count up. The Seconds option shows the exact minutes and seconds, while turning it off shows the more readable current minute. After the red screen has displayed for a minute, it will constantly blink with orange in attempt to get the performers attention.
On iPhones, it can also be used with the Buzzer option to place in the individual comics pocket, so they know how much time they have during their set. It will buzz three times in the first ten seconds once the yellow screen is reached, and buzz every ten seconds once the red screen is reached. You may put the app in the background with the Home or Lock buttons and still be notified at the proper times, and bring the app back into the foreground to see the continuing countdown. The chirping cricket sound that accompanies the Buzzer for fun may be silenced, but be sure to still allow sound for your devices notifications in order for it to buzz.
Finally, theres a silly Laughter button which may be used to play a six-second clip of laughter, in those awkwardly silent moments.
All controls are placed on a single screen-view to make them accessible while the countdown timer is running, and to keep the display color visible while the comic performs. The display remains on while in the foreground. The Stop and Start button can pause (with a gray screen) and continue time in case of interruptions or rehearsals. The minutes for each color may be adjusted when the timer is Reset. A slider controls the times font-size in case the numbers are too large to show on the screen.