When we first designed Krono, we kept asking ourselves one question: How should a focus hub interact with its user? Touchscreens are intuitive, yes—but when you’re trying to concentrate, record, or read, swiping and tapping can feel like interruptions. That’s where the Smart Dial comes in. It isn’t just a dial. It’s an instant way to capture thoughts, ask questions, and make quick adjustments. The Smart Dial keeps tech in the background, so your attention and your thinking can stay in the foreground.
The Smart Dial is a rotatable, clickable wheel built purely for focus. We kept mechanical tactility on purpose—every turn, every press carries a clear physical response. It’s the sensation of making a choice, not just triggering an interface. This physical interaction reduces friction. No more swiping between pages to find an app icon. One instinctive gesture takes you directly to what you need.
Its exterior is inspired by vintage watch crowns and classic audio knobs. Connected with the Axis on Krono’s back, it forms a horizontal rhythm that blends retro mechanical cues with a minimalist, modern interface. It’s tech with a touch of warmth. On the software side, Smart Dial gets system-level support. Here’s how it works.
One Press to Fully Refresh
On any ePaper device, ghosting happens—even more so when browsing the web or using third-party apps. The Smart Dial’s single-press refresh solves this instantly. Just one tap to clear the screen and keep the interface clean every time you read or check information.
Long Press for Spark’s Voice Mode
Press and hold the Smart Dial, and Krono jumps straight into Spark and begins recording. Most idea-capture tools require multiple steps: open the app, change input mode, and locate the recording button. The long-press shortcut of Smart Dial collapses everything into one motion. When a thought appears, you capture it immediately. Walking, commuting, reading—voice is often the most intuitive way to record ideas. Spark can also transcribe them and generate an AI summary to help you organize your thinking.
Double-press to Access Libby AI
Libby AI is an AI assistant that provides quick answers and creative suggestions directly from Krono's home screen. The double-press entry is designed for uninterrupted thinking. Switching apps or devices mid-flow often breaks concentration; a quick double press brings Libby AI forward, so your thought process stays intact.
Rotate to Adjust the Front Light
Rotate the Smart Dial on the Home screen, Control Center, or Display Settings to adjust the front light. Indoor, outdoor, or nighttime use changes the lighting needs. Using the dial gives faster, finer control than dragging a slider in the Control Center.
Rotate to Adjust Volume
When the volume bar appears, rotate the Smart Dial to adjust volume. Using the volume buttons alone takes 15 presses from lowest to highest. With the Smart Dial, you can adjust volume quickly, over a large range, and smoothly—saving time and effort. Rotating the dial also gives the tactile pleasure of classic audio equipment.
Rotate to Scroll or Turn Pages
In Krono’s Read app, a dial rotation flips pages. In scrollable views such as menus, lists, and web pages, it moves the screen naturally up or down. When holding the device in one hand, right-handed users can scroll with the index or middle finger; left-handed users can use the thumb just as comfortably. The soft click-clack of the dial adds a subtle rhythm to reading or browsing.
The Smart Dial is built on a single idea: let interaction feel natural and instinctive, so your focus stays on content, not control. Each press and rotation reduces friction and enhances tactility, making Krono feel more fluid and almost ritualistic in use.
Right now, the Smart Dial’s functions are fixed to ensure precision and consistency within core system actions, and you can go to Home Screen > Settings > Smart Dial to see the detailed guide. We’re listening closely to user feedback and will continue refining the experience—exploring new possibilities and unlocking more of what the Smart Dial can do.