Free app adjusts computer display color temperature based on time of day, reducing eye strain and disrupting sleep cycles, making screens warmer at night
f.lux is a popular, free software program that adaptively changes the color temperature of computer displays based on the time of day. It was developed to reduce disruptions to the body's circadian rhythms that can be caused by exposure to bright, blue-toned light from screens at night.
During the day, f.lux uses normal, 'daylight' color temperatures in the range of 5500K to 6500K to keep users alert. After sunset, it gradually shifts the screen's colors towards the warmer, redder end of the color spectrum. This lowers the amount of potentially sleep-disrupting blue light being emitted. The warmer tones at night also reduce eye strain.
The degree of color adjustment is customizable based on personal preference and lighting conditions. Location services or manual zip code entry allows f.lux to determine sunrise/sunset times and schedule automatic color shifts. It works across Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone/iPad, and jailbroken Android devices.
Research has shown blue light exposure at night from devices can negatively impact health by throwing off circadian rhythms. f.lux ameliorates this issue and is often recommended to improve sleep quality for those sensitive to evening screen use. It's a simple app that runs passively in the background once enabled.
Here are some alternatives to F.lux:
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