This new Android app fixes everything wrong with Google Clock

It’s safe to say that the Google Clock app is not Google’s most polished or feature-rich product. Time and time again, users face issues with the app failing to sound alarms. Then there’s Google’s slow rate of development, with the company only recently adding presets to the timer feature.

I’ve been searching for a viable alternative for months now, and thought I stumbled upon a winner with Chrono. But more recently, I encountered a new Android app that blows away every other timing app I’ve tried. In fact, it has replaced multiple apps on my device with ease.

Called Pixel Clock, the app’s about as comprehensive as clock apps come and probably fresher than the carton of milk in your fridge; it’s just about two weeks old. More resoundingly, it showcases exactly what Google could (and probably should) offer Pixel and Android smartphone owners if it really cared.

Where Google Clock falters, Pixel Clock triumphs

Aesthetically, Pixel Clock could easily be mistaken for a Google product. It dons its Material 3 Expressive elements like a tailored suit and adopts whatever primary UI color I pick. Beyond being a looker, Pixel Clock is navigable, sensible, and responsive.

A bottom-floating pill houses shortcuts to individual tabs and core functionalities, and there are plenty. As I mentioned, Pixel Clock isn’t just an alarm app — it packs multiple time-related smarts, including common features like a world clock and a stopwatch. But once you dig a little deeper, you’ll find even more goodies.

Let’s start at the top. Unlike Google Clock, Pixel Clock can create alarms with a Wake-up mission. These are simple math problems that must be solved before an alarm can be dismissed. Notably, unlike other alarm apps like Chrono and Alarmy, the only options are addition, subtraction, or multiplication puzzles. Pixel Clock does offer these problems under difficulty levels, but I would’ve liked to see NFC tag support, a photo challenge, or a task that forced me to get out of bed, for instance.

Where Pixel Clock falls a little short, it quickly makes up ground with one of the more unique features I’ve seen in a clock app. It offers numerous alarm presets specifically for napping. With a simple tap, Pixel Clock lets me set a 15, 30, or 90-minute alarm to ensure I don’t oversleep during my lunch break. While they’re brilliant for setting instant alarms without much thought or forward planning, they’re equally useful for setting brief reminders.

Focus timers made for time-blocking fans

Pixel Clock isn’t just an alarm app, though. My favorite facet of the app, labeled Pixel Timer, is a souped-up timer facility primarily geared towards focused work. As an avid Pomodoro method user, I fell in love with this useful little screen. I can quickly enable Focus periods of 15 to 50 minutes or a 5-minute break with a single tap. This apparently minor detail is design genius; it encourages quick, decisive action with minimal friction, helping to minimize the time I spend interacting with my phone between work sessions.

Notably, while Pixel Clock is inspired by timer apps like Tomato, it doesn’t rigidly adhere to the Pomodoro method either. Instead, tap on the Smart Presets & Focus Blocks option, and you’ll find a host of set time spans and intervals for various needs. Options include a 16:8 fasting timer, an 8-hour work shift calculator, and a shorter set of study blocks.

While it certainly doesn’t include every conceivable timing session structure, Pixel Clock’s layout should allow the developer to add presets as the app matures. Again, the lack of friction when using its various facilities is appreciated.

Pixel Clock also supports far lengthier timers that span hours or even days, turning it into an event countdown tool. I once used a dedicated app called Hurry for this very purpose, so I can cross yet another app off my drawer.

Lastly, the final shortcut on the tab bar opens a Stats page that charts the various timer analytics to help users fine-tune their study or focus habits.

Given that I’ve used Pixel Clock for less than a week, I haven’t fully grown to appreciate this feature quite yet. However, I can imagine that it would be useful for users looking to further optimize their days. I would’ve liked an alarm stat section here to understand my average wake times and related trends, but perhaps that functionality will land in a future update.

As I mentioned, Pixel Clock is less than two weeks old, yet it shows more promise and ambition than Google Clock ever has.

Pixel Clock is off to an incredible start

Pixel Clock could easily be mistaken for an official Google product, but it isn’t remotely the case. It’s developed by a fan using Google’s own design guidelines, and somehow, it feels more purpose-built for its hardware than its own clock app.

Pixel Clock isn’t without its flaws, though. The first few iterations had some hilarious bugs, including a completely white background for the Pixel Timer screen even when dark mode is active. However, this issue has been fixed.

It’s also worth noting that the initial version of the app completely lacked an alarm facility. That’s pretty remarkable given how established that part of the app feels. It also demonstrates the developer’s willingness to add useful kit to the app.

Should you try Pixel Clock? Absolutely. I was expecting an app that was all style with little substance — I couldn’t have been more wrong