xBand can vibrate the current time - either with 24-hour time or 12-hour time. You can choose between several different time encodings, which determine how the time will be represented in vibrations.
xBand can also give you the current date. The date is always vibrated in Morse code, regardless of which time encoding you choose.
After the first time xBand has been connected, the time functions are available even when xBand is not connected to a phone. If xBand has been turned off you will have to connect to a phone again for the time and date functions to start working.
Manually checking the time or date
You can manually check the time or date by using the basic commands.
Simply press the Morse button the required number of times and xBand will answer with the requested time or date.
If you have put your xBand in Morse Mode through the app, remember to finish the command by double pressing the Action button.
Current time in minutes
Quickly press the Morse button once. The current time in minutes will vibrate on xBand.
In Morse code a single short press corresponds to the character: E.
Example: Time is 12:37. xBand will vibrate 37 in your chosen time encoding.
Current time in hours and minutes
Press Morse button quickly two times (double click). The current time in hours and minutes will vibrate on xBand.
In Morse code two short presses corresponds to the character: I.
Example: Time is 12:37. xBand will vibrate 12 37 in your chosen time encoding.
Current date
Press Morse button quickly three times (triple click). The current date, day and month, will vibrate on xBand.
In Morse code three short presses corresponds to the character: S.
Example: Date is November 5th. xBand will vibrate 05 11 in Morse code.
Automatic time
With Automatic time, xBand will vibrate the current time at regular intervals, for example once an hour or every quarter.
This feature can be toggled on or off in the app. Additionally, you can customize the format of the time information you receive: choosing to include hours and minutes, or only minutes.
Similar to the other time functions, automatic time continues to operate even when xBand is disconnected from your phone, provided xBand has been connected to the phone at least once since xBand was last turned off.
Automatic time gives you a new way to keep track of time and can give you a heightened sense of time awareness.
Time encodings
You can decide how the time will be represented in vibrations by choosing a time encoding in the app. Time encodings only apply to the time of day in time messages. Other numerical values, such as the date and battery indication, are always vibrated in Morse code.
Morse
Numerals in Morse code follow a regular pattern that is quickly learned if you use the time features. You can also practice numbers in Morse code in the app.
Each digit in the time is represented by the Morse code for that digit.
Morse time encoding uses unique vibration patterns for numbers, distinct from those used for letters. This prevents confusion between time-messages and other vibrations, which you might experience with other encodings.
Fast
Fast and simple encoding. Each digit in the time is represented by a simplified vibration pattern.
A short vibration is one. A long vibration is five. Two long vibrations are zero.
Example: Time is 12:37. When vibrating the current minute xBand will vibrate three short vibrations to represent the number 3, followed by a short pause and then one long and two short vibrations to represent the number 7.
Abbreviated
Intuitive encoding. A long vibration is ten, and a short vibration is one. The vibration patterns for hours and minutes are separated by a pause.
Example: Time is 12:37. When vibrating the current hour and minute xBand will vibrate one long and two short vibrations to represent the hour 12. This will be followed by a brief pause, after which it will vibrate three long and seven short vibrations to represent the minute 37.
Alarms and timers
You can configure alarms and timers through the app, which will then vibrate on xBand.
Both alarms and timers offer the option to repeat. Alarms can repeat on specific days, such as Monday to Friday, while a recurring timer repeats continuously. For example, if you set a timer for two minutes, it will repeat every two minutes. This function is useful for activities such as interval training or for continuous reminders throughout the day.
Additionally, you can give both alarms and timers labels, making them function as reminders. For instance, you can set an alarm for 12:00 with the vibration pattern "L M" in Morse code to remind you to take your lunch medicine. By using names that you easily recognize the vibrations for, you'll effortlessly distinguish between different types of reminders.
Alarms and Timers will trigger and repeat (if set up to do so) even when xBand is not connected to your phone, as long as xBand has been connected to the phone at least once since xBand was last turned off.