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Microsoft To Add Flux Like Night Mode In Windows 10, Rendering 3rd-Party App's Existence Useless (arstechnica.com)

An anonymous reader writes: With suggestions that bluish lights disrupt our sleep, software that shifts screen white balance towards the red end of the spectrum in the evening -- cutting back that potentially sleep-disrupting light -- has gained quite a following. f.lux is the big name here with many people enjoying its gradual color temperature shifts. Apple recently built a color shifting feature into iOS, under the name Night Shift, and there are now signs that Microsoft is doing the same in Windows 10. Twitter user tfwboredom has been poking around the latest Windows insider build and found hints that the operating system will soon have a "blue light reduction" mode. Similarly to f.lux, this will automatically reduce the color temperature in the evenings as the sun sets and increase it in the mornings when the sun rises. Signs are that the feature will have a quick access button in the Action Center when it is eventually enabled.The feature is expected to arrive with Redstone, which is Windows 10's next major update expected to arrive next year.

88 comments

  1. Who cares by p51d007 · · Score: 2

    I have blocked the anniversary update for now...too many glitches. I've been using f.lux for years, without one hiccup.

    1. Re:Who cares by Striek · · Score: 1

      Who cares

      Dumb question. The submitter cares, obviously, as does anyone commenting on the story. Perhaps you meant to say "I don't care"?

      --
      "Government is like fire; a handy servant, but a dangerous master." -- George Washington
    2. Re:Who cares by jellomizer · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Congratulation you have successfully stated that you are blocking OS updates. So now you are using an unpatched version of Windows. Making yourself more and more vulnerable over time for Security flaws. Just because happen to not like some feature.

      Good for you!

      You might as well just install Linux, where you can keep it up to date and not get hacked.

      --
      If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
    3. Re:Who cares by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I have blocked the anniversary update for now...too many glitches.
      I've been using f.lux for years, without one hiccup.

      The glitches are your fault.

      FlyHelicopters

      His fault for using Windows

    4. Re:Who cares by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Congratulation you have successfully stated that you can read minds beyond what people actually write.
      Why? You assume too much! Note the very short post you refer to only mentioned his dislike of the topic at hand. It did not include rants about never updating in general or a luddite stance that you presume. The many workarounds to get individual patches onto his computer are skipped in favor of staying on topic... merely that he had prevented a grouped-update (known to full of bugs) from applying on his computer.

      You (of all people) should know that one can remain 'updated' without the trust-abusing Kool-Aid bundle approach. Surely, and I am proud of you for learning something today.

    5. Re:Who cares by mwvdlee · · Score: 2

      f.lux has been standard on all computers I use for many years now.
      Let's first see how Microsofts' version works before jumping ship.

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    6. Re:Who cares by tripleevenfall · · Score: 1

      EEE is the sincerest form of flattery

    7. Re:Who cares by coastwalker · · Score: 0

      I agree, the Flux interface is neat and easy to use. I am not looking forward to Microsoft's version requiring four clicks to access and filling the whole screen with a brilliant white tile to make damn sure you cannot see the effect of the utility on the small text you are reading in the dark. It will of course be an "App" that sends un-encrypted screenshots to Redmond and is touch enabled without a mouse interface. I expect to be paid by Microsoft for these design tips....

      --
      Facts are history now plebs have politics for religion on social media.
    8. Re:Who cares by hairyfeet · · Score: 0

      Linux breaks as much if not more with each update...and how EXACTLY is he gonna magically get hacked, especially if he is doing the sensible thing and running a non MSFT browser in a sandbox?

      Oh that's right he's not because its FUD, because these days its frankly trivial to secure a system without patching it since all malware these days are either browser based or phishing attacks. Secure your browser, don't click on emails from Nigerian princes, and OS updates can be easily and safely ignored.

      --
      ACs don't waste your time replying, your posts are never seen by me.
    9. Re:Who cares by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Why not just blank the screen or turn off the computer at bedtime? BTW I don't use windows any more so its a moot point for me.

    10. Re:Who cares by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ITT: Trolls trolling trolls trolling troll-trolling trolls.

    11. Re: Who cares by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Congratulations. That's the dumbest shit I've read all day. Yes, all exploits are browser based or phishing emails. The nsa and other security people don't have firmware exploits or software exploits, just browser attacks and Nigerian phishing emails. Never patch and everything will be just fine!!

    12. Re: Who cares by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      So where are those firmware patches at? Do they go with windows? If you host services and are a big fat target THEN you need to be religious with the patching.

    13. Re:Who cares by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Congratulation you have successfully stated that you are blocking OS updates. So now you are using an unpatched version of Windows. Making yourself more and more vulnerable over time for Security flaws. Just because happen to not like some feature.

      LOL! Take off the tin foil hat and go learn something about computer security. Hint: Windows has never been and never will be secure by itself.

    14. Re: Who cares by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The nsa and other security people don't have firmware exploits or software exploits

      Ahh yes, I'm sure the very next update will solve that because Microsoft is totally on the case and totally aren't colluding with the NSA...

      Oh wait.

    15. Re:Who cares by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Two things about f.lux that prevent me from using it on my computers.

      We hereby grant you a nonexclusive license to use one copy of the Software on any single computer, provided the Software is in use on only one computer at any time. The Software is "in use" on a computer when it is loaded into temporary memory (RAM) or installed into the permanent memory of a computer—for example, a hard disk, CD-ROM or other storage device.

      That means I could only have it installed on one PC or only have one PC with f.lux powered up at a time.

      The Software may automatically download and install updates from time to time. These updates are designed to improve, enhance and further develop the Software and may take the form of bug fixes, enhanced functions, new software modules and completely new versions. You agree to receive such updates as part of your use of the Software.

      Sorry, but I want to be in control of any and all software updates. If a piece of software updates itself without me specifically telling it to, then it has no place on my computers.

      Redshift or Redshiftgui are better with more options than f.lux and they are open source.

    16. Re: Who cares by BarbaraHudson · · Score: 1

      I avoided the forced upgrade to 10 by turning off all updates. The wireless adapter is set to airplane mode. So it is now more secure than any fully patched system with net access. There was a time when people were actually able to use a computer without the internet. And lately I only look at the government weather website and Slashdot on my phone. Everything else is "nothing of value was lost." Amazing how much better liffe is without the rest of the web (and I use the Simply Slashdot app so I don't even see the ads).

      --
      "Transparent" is a shit show that trades on every stereotype going. A man in drag is NOT a transsexual.
    17. Re: Who cares by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Try S2 Slashdot. It has a more professional appearance.

    18. Re:Who cares by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Windows updates *are* malware. Better to take the (small) additional risk and rely on my own resources to protect myself than to *deliberately* infect myself.

    19. Re: Who cares by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      actually if had updates on it woul easier to push crap.

      also the anniversary and other sp style win 10 updates reset your protocol and service settings, re-enable ipv6 and netbios/smb client/server, alljoin iot stuff and all.

    20. Re:Who cares by cwsumner · · Score: 1

      There comes a point, where the risk of serious damage from the Updates is more than the risk from the "hackers", then yes. Turn all updates from M$ off, and block the download websites in your router.

      And like they said, don't answer emails from "Nigerian princes". 8-)

    21. Re: Who cares by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I don't care too

    22. Re: Who cares by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      People get hacked mostly by human errors rather than software ones. Choosing a real strong password encrypting sensitive data including other passwords of course is by far more secure than having an OS updated and patched . And of course never using the same password for two different things so each service or thing have it's own unique password. But people are not willing to do so.

  2. Rendering 3rd-Party App's Existence Useless by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Rendering 3rd-Party App's Existence Useless - unless the third part app already has all the features and customisability that users want and the windows version doesn't.

    1. Re:Rendering 3rd-Party App's Existence Useless by jellomizer · · Score: 2

      That is the general risk of making 3rd party apps/hacks to the system.

      If it is a good idea, or at least popular chances are the OS will do this natively.

      We had this for a while (sometimes via dubious methods) Like with DoubleSpace in DOS that compressed the drives.
      Or extended memory management in DOS.

      More recently Dashboard features on the desktop to replace other 3rd party tools that did the same things.

      If you want to make a living making such tools you better pattent the hell out of it. Otherwise the OS Company will copy the idea and implement it in the next version.

      --
      If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
    2. Re:Rendering 3rd-Party App's Existence Useless by The-Ixian · · Score: 1

      I would say that there is a caveat to that.

      There will likely always be a niche market for your hack if it is a good one, simply because you can devote more time and innovation to it.

      Feature developers at MS or Apple or Google or whatever will rarely implement the full spectrum of improvements. They will pick one or two features that they like and ignore the rest. To do anything else would introduce too much complexity and feature bloat.

      So, while your app's signature feature may be superseded, you will still be able to offer a more feature rich competitive product if you want to.

      Anyone who puts their entire monetary existence in the hands of a single app are either fools or independently wealthy already...

      --
      My eyes reflect the stars and a smile lights up my face.
  3. Thank you! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Dear harvard.edu,

    I absolutely love it when I go to your website and before I can do anything, you shove a popup in my face! Thank you so much for that!

  4. Useless? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It's likely that Android, Mac OS and Debian desktop users would beg to differ with your assessment of f.lux's existence.

  5. "Rendering 3rd-Party App's Existence Useless" by jehbaker · · Score: 0

    > "Rendering 3rd-Party App's Existence Useless"

    Because everyone runs Windows 10 with the latest patches?

    Sincerely,

    A Linux f.lux user, whose wife, a Windows 7 user, also runs f.lux.

  6. Windows 10 is shit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The only thing shitter than Windows 10 is Microsoft.

    The only thing stupider than a Windows 10 user is two Windows 10 users.

  7. Looking at this another way. by fahrbot-bot · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's just another attempt by Microsoft to make us all see Windows 10 through rose-colored glass(es).

    --
    It must have been something you assimilated. . . .
  8. redshift by KiloByte · · Score: 1

    For those of us who don't want proprietary crap when it can be avoided, there's redshift which provides all the functionality.

    It has a version with clicky-clicky GUI, but it's better to avoid extra clutter by using the bare version. You need to give it your long:lat on the command line: " and put it in your system's startup ("redshift -l 53:18"), it then stays out of your way.

    --
    The creatures outside looked from Alt-Right to Antifa; but already it was impossible to say which was which.
    1. Re:redshift by SNRatio · · Score: 1

      I've been using negativescreen for a long time and always preferred it to f.lux: a keyboard shortcut can take you to viewing text as red on black, which is perfect for reading at night before going to sleep.

    2. Re:redshift by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Flux IS open-source -- released under the MIT license.

    3. Re:redshift by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Nevermind, now I see that it's just the applet.

    4. Re:redshift by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      For those of us who don't want proprietary crap when it can be avoided, there's redshift which provides all the functionality.

      It has a version with clicky-clicky GUI, but it's better to avoid extra clutter by using the bare version. You need to give it your long:lat on the command line: " and put it in your system's startup ("redshift -l 53:18"), it then stays out of your way.

      If for some reason you can't download redshift or flux, such as company policy,, well you can do pretty much the same thing with nvidia settings, if you have them. I suspect AMD is similar. It is not automated, but it still helps somewhat..

    5. Re:redshift by Anonymice · · Score: 1

      f.lux has had this for a while now. I also like its ability to "dim" screens in software, meaning I can still use secondary monitors at night without being blasted by light.

    6. Re:redshift by LinuxIsGarbage · · Score: 1

      Can it adjust the color temperature in one quick step change? The thing that annoys me about f.lux is it ramps the color temperature over like 30 seconds, during which my PC isn't very responsive.

  9. Re:Smells like Teen Science by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    What the hell have you been doing to your eyes? The lens of your eye doesn't typically yellow with age. Are you a long term tobacco user?

  10. What's the scientific evidence on blue light? by Streetlight · · Score: 1

    The first I heard of this theory was a small feature on the broadcast of le Tour de France noting that blue light absorbing glasses were being used by some cyclists in the evening to improve their sleep. Has there been any real science done to prove the notion that reducing blue light before sleep improves sleep? Or is this just junk science?

    Perhaps a bit off topic, but I read recently that a US government agency removed the assertion from its data base that the dental flossing improved dental health. The reason was they would only support such assertions if the scientific evidence showed the assertion was true. In the case of dental flossing there were no reliable scientific studies that showed dental flossing improved health. Indeed, they found one "scientific" study that used only one person.

    --
    In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act. George Orwell
    1. Re:What's the scientific evidence on blue light? by cryptizard · · Score: 1

      If only there was some kind of service, perhaps a web site, that could search through the vast amount of information on the internet to answer questions like this... oh well I guess we will never know.

    2. Re:What's the scientific evidence on blue light? by Ravaldy · · Score: 4, Informative

      This is a good place to start:
      http://www.health.harvard.edu/...

      Many brain studies have been made proving that it is the mechanism for humans to wake up when the sun comes out. We are simply wired that way.

    3. Re:What's the scientific evidence on blue light? by KozmoStevnNaut · · Score: 1

      I can tell your from personal experience that if I have Redshift running late in the evening and I switch it off, it makes my eyes hurt. So it's definitely doing something. Whether that affects my sleep patterns and sleep quality, I don't know. But it's a hell of a lot more comfortable to look at.

      --
      Eat the rich.
  11. big News on TV by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    that's great news ! And so interesting - I mean, about colours, about Windows, it has everything which could make it the next big headlne on TV News !

  12. Re:Smells like Teen Science by dfghjk · · Score: 1

    A "yellowing lens" does NOT alter the frequency of light (of course), it varies attenuation with respect to frequency. "That's hilarious."

    "So, the relevant light could be blue or could be green depending on the individual?"

    Of course not. A blue light will remain blue but be perceived darker by a yellow-tinted lens.

    "Good luck with that."

    Perhaps you should learn what you are talking about rather than post snarky remarks. Good luck with that.

  13. Re:Smells like Teen Science by squiggleslash · · Score: 1

    Oh, it alters the frequency?

    No. No it doesn't. I don't know where you got that from. I'm not even sure I understand the thought process that would lead someone to this conclusion.

    If when you view something it appears yellowed (to you, and not to anyone else), that's a sign that you're receiving (or processing) less blue light, that's all.

    --
    You are not alone. This is not normal. None of this is normal.
  14. That's not all F.lux does by drinkypoo · · Score: 2

    It can also control Hue lights. Or in theory, any other smart lights you've gatewayed through a Hue emulator. If anyone has actually done that, I'd be interested in seeing what you used. Most of the hue emulators are Java and I don't want to use that.

    --
    "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    1. Re:That's not all F.lux does by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Useless flashlight app that controls useless nerd lamp?

    2. Re:That's not all F.lux does by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'd just use an actual Hue, but probably wouldn't use f.lux to control it.

    3. Re:That's not all F.lux does by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      Actual Hues are security failures. I'd rather roll my own RGB LED light.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
  15. Android...? by wgoodman · · Score: 1

    Nice to mention that it's in IOS, but it's also been in Android since Lollypop came out. I stopped using twilight because it's 1 less app and I can have the same results.

  16. Creepy! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    That's creepy as #$(*! I would rather have an OS that does not try and alter my sleep habits please. Windows 7 for the next decade.

    1. Re:Creepy! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Don't worry, the sole reason for existence of this feature is that MS wants to get excuse for keeping on the system camera. And it will just happen to send back some of that data for experience improvement purposes only. It will surely not monetize the spy cam.

  17. They'll find some way to... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    They'll find some way to cripple it in a way that makes the 3rd-party tools desirable. One should be praying that they don't do anything to break compatibility with people's existing stuff.

  18. Remember their mantra by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    >Rendering 3rd-Party App's Existence Useless

    So MS recognizes a 3rd party feature, duplicates it in-house, and extinguishes the original's ability to play on their turf. Sound familiar?

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...

    1. Re:Remember their mantra by LinuxIsGarbage · · Score: 2

      Meanwhile there's other cases where they duplicated the basic functionality of a 3rd party feature, but didn't prevent people from running better third party features.

      Versions since XP have had basic ZIP support, and CD Burning support.
      Windows 7 added a better screen capture tool
      Windows 8 let you mount and burn ISOs

      I don't think they're going to extinguish by duplicating a f.lux. It's by no means a market driver.

    2. Re:Remember their mantra by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Judging by iOS implementation of nightshade, f.lux is better hands down. Better interface, more controllable, more graduated to natural light patterns. I'll use night shade now in iOS because I'm not going to jailbreak my phone to use f.lux, but i will continue to use f.lux on the desktop

  19. Remember flying toasters on screens? by grumpyman · · Score: 1

    Is something people would buy :)

    1. Re:Remember flying toasters on screens? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      now i'm feeling more than just a little bit nostalgic.. if you are too, here's a fix: http://www.masswerk.at/flyer/

  20. Only APPS can app apps! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Appsoft is simply apping an appy app app into their Appdows 10 apperating system so you can app more apps while apping other apps! LUDDITE software like f.lux can't do that!

    Apps!

  21. I stopped using Flux by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    After I bought a monitor color calibrator. Flux totally ruins color.

  22. Forcibly? by Opportunist · · Score: 2

    Do I get to turn that feature off or is the color in Windows going to change no matter what I'd prefer?

    --
    We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
    1. Re:Forcibly? by The-Ixian · · Score: 1

      Signs are that the feature will have a quick access button in the Action Center when it is eventually enabled.

      --
      My eyes reflect the stars and a smile lights up my face.
    2. Re:Forcibly? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You mean like how the free upgrade dialog had an [x] button and the OS has various settings you can adjust which will stay the way you set them?

    3. Re:Forcibly? by PinkyGigglebrain · · Score: 1

      A "quick access button" doesn't always mean you can turn something off. I would not be surprised if it only let you change things like the timing of the curve but not let you control if it happens or not.

      That said you're probably right and it will have the option to be disabled, though that option might only be available for corporate licensed version.

  23. 6500K all the time by I4ko · · Score: 1

    For crying out loud, just get a calibrator and calibrate all monitors to 6500K. You will be surprised how brown it looks on most monitors, compared to their natural white point. And keep that all day. I never had a problem falling asleep right in front of the monitor that way.

    1. Re:6500K all the time by caseih · · Score: 1

      I find 6500k quite glaring at night. 6500k is considered to be the equivalent of the color of the sun at mid day. Why would I want that on my monitor going into the evening? The whole point of the red shifters is to lower the temperature as twilight falls.

      There may not be much science to support the idea that blue light adversely affects the brain or sleep at night, but it sure makes my computer use more comfortable in the evenings and and easier on my eyes when I red it down to about 3500k at night and let it come up to 6500k in the day. I was quite surprised when I tried it for a while. Now I see a screen that doesn't shift at night and I'm surprised how blue it is (even if it's really white). I also prefer 2700 to 3500k lights in my house as well.

    2. Re:6500K all the time by UnknownSoldier · · Score: 1

      For monitors yes, but one can't calibrate tablets (yet). :-/

    3. Re:6500K all the time by thegarbz · · Score: 1

      For crying out loud, just get a calibrator and calibrate all monitors to 6500K.

      Unless you're comparing two monitors, or are matching the monitor to a very bright room environment, why would you change the colour temperature at all? Your eyes naturally adjust to the monitor's white point while looking at it. All the change achieves is to drop it's performance significantly.

      The exception is when you're in an incredibly brightly lit room, like the sun is shining in brightly lit, but even then calibrating away from your natural colour temperature reduces the brightness of your monitor so you may be trading white point accuracy to colour strain.

      Yes get a calibrator, but calibrate the colour differences along your existing native monitor temperature, don't get the monitor to show something it wasn't designed to show.

    4. Re: 6500K all the time by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I always work in a dark room with the same lighting and I do a lot of pictures, so fixing it at 6.5K makes a lot of sense. My eyes are already accustomed to that and yes, I do usually lower them to 100-100 lux, even though I keep my projector at maximal lux

    5. Re:6500K all the time by Artemis3 · · Score: 1

      What is stopping Argyll CMS from running in a tablet?

      --
      Artix
      Your Linux, your init.
  24. So what happens if you work nights? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    What about all that sleep disrupting light in daytime/afternoon? Oh wait they didn't think people had jobs on different times of the day.

    1. Re:So what happens if you work nights? by coastwalker · · Score: 1

      I believe that you are being far too honest, if only you could overcome this terrible defect in your character all would be well. You can lie to Flux about your timezone, it does not use the windows default clock.

      --
      Facts are history now plebs have politics for religion on social media.
  25. If I don't use local timezone... by jdavidb · · Score: 1

    But if I keep my timezone set to UTC, what happens?

    1. Re:If I don't use local timezone... by KiloByte · · Score: 1

      Then don't use your real longitude but shift it by 15 degrees per every hour of time offset.

      --
      The creatures outside looked from Alt-Right to Antifa; but already it was impossible to say which was which.
  26. rigght by AndyKron · · Score: 1

    And vaccines cause autism. rigggght.

  27. Don't worry, you can trust microsoft by Cley+Faye · · Score: 0

    Rest assured that they will half-ass the thing, and most likely end up with an implementation that's useless at best. I can already see the missing settings, the incorrect behavior and, most likely, some random crash. Third party app really have nothing to be worried bout.

  28. Editing problem by Wowsers · · Score: 1

    What good is a screen that shifts colour if you're editing photographs and video late into the night? In the morning you'll find all your work looks wrong.

    --
    Take Nobody's Word For It.
    1. Re:Editing problem by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      You should subscribe to Windows Blueshift for that type of work anyways.

  29. We already have Redstone. Redstone 2 is next. by slomike1 · · Score: 1

    Redstone was the Anniversary update Windows 10 1607 which arrived last month. Redstone 2 is the next windows release due in 2017.

  30. Lawsuit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Thank you Windows for putting all our night shift workers to sleep. Everybody died when the reactor went critical. It's ok though, they were all lulled asleep by Windows 10.

  31. Re:God Damned GAY NIGGERS - Fuck you AssDot by PCM2 · · Score: 1

    HUZZAH!

    --
    Breakfast served all day!
  32. microsoft blue by bobmajdakjr · · Score: 1

    the colour that literally keeps you up at night.

  33. Monitor manual adjust by cwsumner · · Score: 1

    Many of the modern flat monitor screens have a "manual" adjustment for blue filter in their settings.

    But I have not seen one that has it set by time of day.

  34. Re: by HalAtWork · · Score: 1

    Well I don't care for what you have to say but I will defend your right to get modded down for saying it