Pot Rice Cooking Timer App 'Rice Timer' Released for Android

On June 3, 2026, individual developer Hoge (@hoge512) released a free app on the Google Play Store called 'Rice Timer' (Japanese name: 米刻), which specializes in managing the cooking process when using a pot or clay pot.

The app was born from the developer's own experience: 'My rice cooker broke, and managing the process of cooking rice in a pot was a hassle.' Using the latest generative AI (Gemini Deep Research, Claude, etc.), it was developed in a short period of just 2-3 weeks, from planning and research to design and implementation. It features an immersive 'Japanese-modern' UI design that sets it apart from cold, inorganic timers and supports both Japanese and English.

## Development Background: A Story of a Broken Rice Cooker and 'Lightning-Fast Development' with AI

The development of 'Rice Timer' began when the developer's rice cooker suddenly broke. Having no choice but to cook rice in a pot, the developer found it tedious to research the required time and water amounts for each stage—soaking, boiling, simmering, and steaming—every time. They thought, 'If I could turn this into an app, it would be much easier.'

Leveraging the advantages of being an individual developer, they utilized the latest AI for every process, not just coding.
- Data Collection: The optimal water amounts for different rice types, timing for each phase, and rice-washing tips were researched using Gemini Deep Research and Claude, and the consensus optimal solutions were incorporated into the algorithm.
- Design: Multiple UI patterns were generated and curated using Claude Design. The immersive background animations that change with each phase were implemented based on the developer's own ideas.
- Promotion: App icons and infographics for the store were generated using Gemini's 'Nano Banana'. Furthermore, for the promotion video's narration, AI voice synthesis 'AivisSpeech' and Google's 'Text-to-Speech' were adopted and adjusted for natural intonation.

## Key Features of 'Rice Timer'

1. Immersive 'Japanese-Modern' Design and Animation
Instead of a plain digital timer, the app uses colors like washi paper and lacquer, along with a Serif font (Shippori Mincho) to create a design that reflects Japanese aesthetic sensibilities. The background colors and animations switch as the cooking stages (soaking, boiling, simmering, etc.) progress, allowing users to enjoy the wait time visually.

2. Full Support for Pot Rice Cooking & Background Notifications
By simply selecting the amount and type of rice, the app automatically navigates the entire process from optimal water amount to 'Soaking → Boiling → Simmering → (Scorched rice/Okoge) → Steaming.' Since push notifications are sent when phases switch, users won't miss timing for adjusting heat or turning off the stove even if they are busy with other tasks.

3. Full Localization for English-Speaking Markets
The app is fully supported in English. It goes beyond simple translation, making cultural adjustments such as changing 'Go' (Japanese unit) to 'ml' and expressing 'Okoge' as 'Scorch' to avoid negative connotations. As long-grain rice (Indica rice), often used for dishes like paella, is mainstream globally, it also supports the 'boil-and-drain' method.

4. 'CookAchievement' Feature to Keep Cooking Fun
Equipped with a gamification element where titles are unlocked based on the number of times rice is cooked, boosting motivation for daily home cooking.

## Target Audience and Use Cases

- Occasional rice eaters and overseas users: For those whose staple food is bread, etc., and who want to cook delicious rice occasionally but don't need a rice cooker.
- Beginners to pot rice cooking, those starting a new life, and those whose rice cooker broke: As a 'bridge' until buying a rice cooker, and as a guide for those attempting pot rice cooking for the first time.
- Those meticulous about timing and amounts: For those who want to cook perfect rice without any variation every time.
- Outdoor and camping enthusiasts: As a reliable support tool for cooking rice in mess tins or camping gear.

## Future Outlook
Currently, the app uses fixed optimal values based on AI research, but as the user base grows, the developer plans to continue updates, including implementing an 'individual optimization algorithm' for rice cooking time and water amount based on user feedback (e.g., too hard, too soft) and considering an iOS version release.