Recording times without being obvious...
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I use a recording app on my phone, leaving the phone out on the table or in my top pocket. The apps keep recording with the screen off. Do not answer any calls, that usually interrupts the microphone.
Do a practice run at home to make sure the app works as expected.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/04/2017 12:03AM by isaiah58.
Do a practice run at home to make sure the app works as expected.
My posts are solely based on my opinions and for my entertainment, contact a professional if you need real advice.
When you get in debt you become a slave. - Andrew Jackson
When you get in debt you become a slave. - Andrew Jackson
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/04/2017 12:03AM by isaiah58.
i have a timer on my phone that records time/laps. I discreetly hit the lap button for each thing that I have timed and stop at the end. Then snapshot it while I'm "visiting" the restroom before I leave. 
I use an app that allows you to take timings by hitting your volume button. Easiest way to try to be discrete about timings. I hit it when I'm greeted, seated, make the order, receive the drink, receive the entree, etc. The name of the app is actually Mystery Shopwatch.
I use Shop It. Looks like I am texting. Can make notes for each timing as well. Really like the app
FAD5209
Be careful, though. If you receive a call on an iPhone while you're recording the recording will stop. I put the phone into Airplane mode as I'm walking into a store.
@isaiah58 wrote:
I use a recording app on my phone, leaving the phone out on the table or in my top pocket. The apps keep recording with the screen off. Do not answer any calls, that usually interrupts the microphone.
Do a practice run at home to make sure the app works as expected.
Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product. Eleanor Roosevelt
@KathyG wrote:
Be careful, though. If you receive a call on an iPhone while you're recording the recording will stop. I put the phone into Airplane mode as I'm walking into a store.
@isaiah58 wrote:
I use a recording app on my phone, leaving the phone out on the table or in my top pocket. The apps keep recording with the screen off. Do not answer any calls, that usually interrupts the microphone.
Do a practice run at home to make sure the app works as expected.
Depends on the App and yes potentially OS, phone, etc. For me, on several Android phones I have tested several different Voice recorder apps. One day I will just buy an actual stand alone voice recorder that can recharge via USB.
My posts are solely based on my opinions and for my entertainment, contact a professional if you need real advice.
When you get in debt you become a slave. - Andrew Jackson
When you get in debt you become a slave. - Andrew Jackson
@KathyG wrote:
For me, on several Android phones I have tested several different Voice recorder apps. One day I will just buy an actual stand alone voice recorder that can recharge via USB.
RCA makes one that sells for about $35. I used it before I had a smartphone. Mine is model vr520 and has slide-out USB that can transfer files to my pc. I bought an optional remote mic for it that clips onto inside of shirt or anywhere. Mic is very sensitive and can record clearly from underneath shirt and jacket. Mystery Shopwatch, while not perfect, is best app for recording lap times on Galaxy S7. Shop-It may be better for recording lap times after developer works out a few issues that will make it better.
I use smart recorder from the play store it says that it can record a conversation for 158 hours. Hope I never have to record a shop that takes that long.
I have a Droid and I use one of the stopwatch apps. Honestly, there probably isn't a good way to be incognito unless the location is really busy. Job hazard. Just try to look like you're texting is the location isn't busy.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/04/2017 06:55AM by weatherman2111.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/04/2017 06:55AM by weatherman2111.
Shop It just added a feature where when you hold down two time stamps one after the other, it tells you the elapsed time. Very useful!
I use mystery shopwatch, someone else mentioned it. I like it.
Shopwatch also has feature where you tap 2 time stamps and it shows elapsed time. The main advantage with Shopwatch is that you can have your phone in you hand and without even looking at it or showing it, push the volume button and mark the time. The main disadvantage is that you must have the app showing on the screen before you can mark time. I use Shopwatch because it is not the best, but it is the best available that works with Samsung Galaxy 7.
Does it also record?@AZwolfman wrote:
Shopwatch also has feature where you tap 2 time stamps and it shows elapsed time. The main advantage with Shopwatch is that you can have your phone in you hand and without even looking at it or showing it, push the volume button and mark the time. The main disadvantage is that you must have the app showing on the screen before you can mark time. I use Shopwatch because it is not the best, but it is the best available that works with Samsung Galaxy 7.
No, it is strictly a timer, but a recorder (PCMrecorder) will record while Shopwatch is running.
I have an old fashioned stopwatch in my pocket. It can record 30 different lap times. It works great.
If I use my phone, I use the stopwatch feature and make sure the phone is on "airplane" mode. I have had my timings interrupted by incoming calls before.
However, for most of my timings, I use an older, smaller cell phone, that does not have phone service. I use the stop watch function, and know the buttons by feel, so I don't have to look at the phone, to record a timing. When doing a restaurant shop, I would have a list of the timings I needed on a small piece of paper and notate them, from the old cell phone, when ever I had a chance.
However, for most of my timings, I use an older, smaller cell phone, that does not have phone service. I use the stop watch function, and know the buttons by feel, so I don't have to look at the phone, to record a timing. When doing a restaurant shop, I would have a list of the timings I needed on a small piece of paper and notate them, from the old cell phone, when ever I had a chance.
I screenshot on my Gear S2 watch. ... easier than pulling out/ holding my phone to screenshot or text the time. .. my watch does not have to go into airplane mode & i can still take calls if needed. My watch is my fav "tool" right now.
I use the quick-launch button on my Galaxy S8 and snap a photo to capture times. Doesn't matter what get a photo of, many times it's of my pants leg or the floor, but my photos have a time-date stamp in the filename that gets down to the second. I don't have to look at my phone to do it and I can do it very discreetly. Photos are then uploaded to Google Photos automagically when I get home to my Wifi network and when I'm finished with them, I delete them (or archive them if I need to save for recordkeeping purposes).
I have a Gear S2 watch too. How do you take a screenshot of it?
Hold down the "lower " button on the right and at the same time swipe from left to right straight across the watch face.
My watch face has time in minutes & seconds. ... (taking a picture would only give you the minute time not seconds)
My watch face has time in minutes & seconds. ... (taking a picture would only give you the minute time not seconds)
@giannarama wrote:
I have a Gear S2 watch too. How do you take a screenshot of it?
I use an app called Timekeeper Memo. I much prefer it to ShopIt (which I own and am not particularly impressed with). I can pre-load a list of labels like: "seated" "server greeting" "drink order" "drink served" etc. When the thing happens, I just need to select that label and it pops it into the notes with a timestamp down to the second. [itunes.apple.com]
I just use a pad of paper in my handbag, I wear a digital watch and just mark the times, works perfect for me. I have been doing this for 10 years and have never got questions about my time. I have done this so many times that it has become so easy.
Sounds like a useful app, but I need it for Android phone.@elynbeth wrote:
I use an app called Timekeeper Memo. I much prefer it to ShopIt (which I own and am not particularly impressed with). I can pre-load a list of labels like: "seated" "server greeting" "drink order" "drink served" etc. When the thing happens, I just need to select that label and it pops it into the notes with a timestamp down to the second. [itunes.apple.com]
I just downloaded "Timestamp - Quick Notes" by WM Dev from the Play Store, and after playing with it for a few minutes it seems very similar to Timekeeper Memo.
Another Android app called "Time Tracker - TouchTime" by TouchTime seems like it has potential, but it crashes every time I try to delete an icon. Just sent a note to the developer.
Another Android app called "Time Tracker - TouchTime" by TouchTime seems like it has potential, but it crashes every time I try to delete an icon. Just sent a note to the developer.
I take screnshots on my phone sometimes. Also use the "lap" feature in the stopwatch app on my phone
I will have to remember this if I ever get a smart phone. I worry that if all I have is times I will not remember the bread came first before the drinks or vica versa. And then I would need to remember for each shop which timings they want. I use a voice recorder. It does take time to listen to the whole recording but I have started to put it on pause after all the meal stuff is delivered so i do not have to record 2 hours and listen to it. This helps me with the quotes too. I have a Olympus inexpensive model. Works well. I once tried to just index the timings on it but in the dark of my pocket it had fallen upside down and I pushed the play button by feel instead of the index button. Fortunately it was a noisy place and after I finally figured out who,why and where that voice was coming from I managed to turn it off. I do not think anyone else heard it.
@elynbeth wrote:
I use an app called Timekeeper Memo. I much prefer it to ShopIt (which I own and am not particularly impressed with). I can pre-load a list of labels like: "seated" "server greeting" "drink order" "drink served" etc. When the thing happens, I just need to select that label and it pops it into the notes with a timestamp down to the second. [itunes.apple.com]
For all of you who like to audio record long shops; why not video record instead? It will save you much time when going back to check details when writing the report.
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