What The Tech App of the Day: RunPee
BY JAMEY TUCKER, Consumer Tech Reporter
Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is expected to be one of the biggest movie events of the year. It’s also nearly three hours long. For movie fans, that’s great news. For anyone who bought the giant popcorn and extra-large drink? It presents a challenge.
When do you make a restroom break without missing the movie’s biggest moment? That’s exactly what the RunPee app was created to solve.
Don’t let the name fool you. It may sound like a joke, but it’s one of the most practical apps for movie lovers.
How RunPee Works
Before the movie begins, open the app, choose the film you’re about to watch, and tap Start Timer. The app tracks where you are in the movie. When a scene that’s less important is about to begin, your phone gives a subtle vibration, letting you know it’s a good time to make a quick trip to the restroom.
The app doesn’t play any sounds or light up the screen. A dark mode keeps your display dim so you won’t disturb anyone nearby. When you return, RunPee provides a short, spoiler-conscious summary of what happened while
you were gone, so you can jump right back into the story without wondering what you missed.
More Than Bathroom Breaks
RunPee includes a few other features moviegoers will appreciate. If you arrive late, it can summarize the opening minutes so you’re caught up before settling into your seat. It also tells you whether there’s an extra scene during or after the credits, saving you from wondering whether you should stay until the lights come on.
The app’s database includes thousands of current and older movies, so it’s just as useful for a movie night at home as it is at the theater.
Is It Free?
Yes.
RunPee is free to download and use. Instead of charging a subscription or locking features behind a paywall, the developer simply asks users for a voluntary donation if they find the app valuable.
Worth Downloading?
Most of us have guessed the wrong time to leave our seat and returned wondering why everyone in the theater suddenly gasped or applauded.
RunPee takes the guesswork out of it. It may have one of the strangest names in the App Store, but if you go to the movies very often, it just might become your favorite movie companion.
