4min

MS.Apps.Lab

About this app

"Just try it for 4 minutes."
This concentration timer app was created to encourage those small steps.
Studying, writing reports, research, reading, studying for qualifications, housework, strength training, creative work...
You know what you need to do, but the first step is daunting.
This app is designed to lower that "hurdle to getting started."

■ App Concept
• A low psychological hurdle that makes you think, "I can do it for just 4 minutes."
• Once you get going, you can extend it by 4 minutes in small steps.
• A design that values ​​"making progress a little bit" rather than perfectionism.
Even on days when your concentration or mood are inconsistent,
we aimed for a system that makes it easy to accept yourself by saying, "I did 4 minutes, so that's OK."

■ Main Features
◆ 4-Minute Timer
• A simple countdown timer in the center of the screen
• When it hits 00:00, a "Thank you for your hard work!" message appears on the end screen.
• An easy-to-read design lets you see the remaining time at a glance, even while studying or working.
◆ A "Try a Little Harder" button after finishing.
• After 4 minutes, you can choose to extend the timer by +4, +8, +12, or +16 minutes.
• Extend the time gradually, within reasonable limits, depending on your condition that day.
• Small-step design makes it easy to achieve "I realized I'd done quite a lot."
◆ Motivating Notification Messages
• A random, encouraging message is displayed when the timer ends.
• Several patterns are available to gently encourage you, such as "You've done it! Shall we take a break?" and "You've already taken the first step!"
◆ Light Theme / Dark Theme Support
• Switch between "Light" and "Dark" Themes
• Recommended for studying or working at night, or for those who prefer a calming screen that's easy on the eyes.
• Theme can be changed with one tap from the settings screen.
◆ X Sharing Feature
• After the timer has finished, you can post to X with the hashtag "#4min"
• Record your efforts for the day, challenge yourself to form new habits with friends and followers, or use it in your own way to help maintain your motivation.

■ Recommended for:
• People who are slow to "get started" on studying, reports, or research.
• People who prefer to "start small" rather than work hard.
• People who are easily distracted by smartphone notifications and social media and can't maintain concentration.
• Even on days when you're unmotivated, you want to take one small step that's "better than nothing."
• You've tried habit-building and task management apps, but couldn't stick with them.
• You want a simple, uncluttered timer app.

■ It's super simple to use.
1. Open the app and tap "START."
2. Focus on the task at hand for four minutes.
3. When the timer runs out, you can say, "That's it for today!"
4. If you feel you can still do more, extend it a little by adding "+4 minutes" or "+8 minutes."
Rather than focusing on perfection, we value acknowledging yourself for even just four minutes of work.

■ Design Details
• A minimalist screen layout with only a large timer in the center.
• The START / STOP / RESET buttons are clearly visible and positioned for easy navigation.
• The "4min" logo and accent colors create an uplifting atmosphere, even when viewed between study or work.
We focused on simplicity, avoiding overloading the app with features, allowing you to focus on the "four minutes first."

■ Usage Examples
• The first step in studying for exams or tests
• A trigger to start homework or housework
• A companion for reading and output (note-taking, blogging, journaling)
• To divide up work time for research notes or programming

■ Final Thoughts
This app isn't just for "working hard only when you feel motivated," but also for "moving forward a little even on days when you're not feeling motivated."
Even a short four minutes can make a big difference if you're consistent.
Why not try it with us for just four minutes today?
We hope 4min can gently support your "small steps."