Even though Better Timer has some paid for features most people should find its free to use even if you used a credit to use one of the "better" features. This is because you get 5 free credits on first use and every new month 3 credits are replenished, so please do not be put off by this.
The intrinsic timer with the Echo devices is very popular and very good. But we know some people get frustrated with the fact it only works on the device timer was created on and has no concept of a collection of timers being used to cook a whole meal. Better Timer does everything the intrinsic timer does but then goes much, much further.
Video of user experience https://youtu.be/t0hs8gqm5XI
First of all its still possible to use it quickly and simply like the intrinsic timer with just a few extra words, so instead of Alexa, timer for 10 minutes, say
Alexa, ask better timer for a 10 minute timer (this will both start and stop the skill)
Once done going to another echo device, you'll be able to open the skill and synchronise the timer with the timer already running. So on another echo device
Alexa, open better timer
and you'll hear that you have an option to synchronise your timer, just say yes and that timer will be running on both echos.
Clearly you can do other things like give your timers a name,
Alexa, ask better timer for a carrot timer for 10 minutes
but if you do not specify the time then it'll suggest a range of times
Alexa, ask better timer for a carrot timer
It'll reply "carrot can be boiled for 10 to 15 minutes. How long do you want?" and lock you into an open session with the device where you can reply.
Another significant new feature of Better Timer is the ability to define a "meal" being ready at a specific time.
Alexa, open better timer she replies "Add a timer for how long?" Create a meal, ready at 6 p.m. she replies "Meal timer, for 3 hours 56 minutes 59 seconds will go off at, 18:00 , to add an item to this meal, say, for example, add lamb to the meal." Add lamb to the meal she replies "What is the weight of lamb in kilos, or, pounds and ounces?" 1 point 884 kilos (the weight of the lamb was 1.884 kg) she replies "Two reminders have been created. The first at 15:51:02 to put the lamb in the oven and the second to take it out of the oven at 17:50:02" The 2 timers created correspond to putting the lamb in oven and taking it out of the oven 10 minutes before the meal is ready so it can stand.
If you create a "meal", a single credit is used and any timers created in that meal are free. Again synchronising a timer(s) with another device uses a single credit for all synchronising in the same session. The concept is that if you are a light user or don't use the "better" features much, then it can be totally free to use, but if you do use the skill for its "better" features more often then we ask for a small payment where you can buy 20 credits for a small sum of money. Note also the feature that sets a timer according to weight of meat is free even though it is a "better" feature. Please note it took months to write this skill, so, if you find this skill useful we do appreciate you paying this very small amount for it.
Other commands possible are : * "List my timers" - showing you all currently running timers * "How many credits do I have?"
A quick comment about the incorrect running of the intrinsic timer when you stay "Alexa, open better timer" - if you don't emphasize the word "better" sometimes the intrinsic timer can start instead of better timer. To tell the difference you will always hear "Opening Better timer" as the first thing heard and a ticking sound as it starts. If you don't hear this just say "Alexa, open better timer" a second time. As time goes on Alexa will learn what you really want in these circumstances and this issue should disappear.
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