f.lux is a medical NECESSITY...Why won't Apple approve?

[charlituna]

I have flux, a light filter app only available in Cydia, installed on my jailbroken iPhone and iPad. This app is literally a life saver for me because I suffer from a sleep disorder that has previously wreaked havoc on my health.

Great that you found something but it is hardly a major life need for the vast majority. I'm certain there are other solutions for such needs and you aren't left with no choice but an iPhone app.


But nice try at some FUD

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The problem is using the phone before you go to sleep.

So don't use it right before you go to sleep. Probably a better solution. Just like how they suggest you don't read right before sleeping (i.e. in bed), don't watch TV, don't have a light up alarm clock and so on

 

[C DM]

Great that you found something but it is hardly a major life need for the vast majority. I'm certain there are other solutions for such needs and you aren't left with no choice but an iPhone app.


But nice try at some FUD

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So don't use it right before you go to sleep. Probably a better solution. Just like how they suggest you don't read right before sleeping (i.e. in bed), don't watch TV, don't have a light up alarm clock and so on

Yup, a better solution is to just not use something that you might want or need. Especially wen a simple solution already exists and can simply be made available. Totally sounds much more logical to not care about the simple solution and instead just work around it and inconvenience yourself.

 

[ElectronGuru]

So don't use it right before you go to sleep.

There seems to be some confusion on how and why flux works. On the Mac version, one of the first steps is telling it where you are located on the planet and the time of day and the time of year. This is so it knows when the sun goes down so it can gradually turn your blue based screen gradually warmer - as the sun sets.

This is not while you sleep, it is not minutes before you sleep. It's all those hours between sunset and pillow. You know, the period of darkness that for millions of years, meant uncontrollable darkness, that for thousands of years, was lit only by yellow flame. Only in the last 50 years or so, have we had anything else.

Apple shouldn't open the API. Apple should buy flux and make it standard on everything, an option to be enabled with a single tap or click. I quite expect that millions are suffering and don't even know why, thinking their SAD or other conditions are the result of something other than their favorite tech.

 

[Patrick J]

There seems to be some confusion on how and why flux works. On the Mac version, one of the first steps is telling it where you are located on the planet and the time of day and the time of year. This is so it knows when the sun goes down so it can gradually turn your blue based screen gradually warmer - as the sun sets.

This is not while you sleep, it is not minutes before you sleep. It all those hours between sunset and pillow. You know, the period of darkness that for millions of years, meant uncontrollable darkness, that for thousands of years, was lit only by yellow flame. Only in the last 50 years or so, have we had anything else.

Apple shouldn't open the API. Apple should buy flux and make it standard on everything, an option to be enabled with a single tap or click. I quite expect that millions are suffering and don't even know why, thinking their SAD or other conditions are the result of something other than their favorite tech.

Making it mandatory is quite a step, especially since many people work with color sensitive material (photographers for example).

I'd love to have it in accessibility. Although it would be an Apple type move telling people: OK this is the new and better way screens are supposed to work.

 

[Menneisyys2]

Great that you found something but it is hardly a major life need for the vast majority.

How do you know that? The vast majority of iOS users are non-techies that don't at all read tech sites and when they're told "jailbreaking" they think it's something horrible that should in any way be avoided. Therefore, they have never ever heard of / tried f.lux and, consequently, don't know how much it eases the life. This also means they (the non-techie majority) don't demand something built-in into the OS, only us geeks.

Nevertheless, I'd say they all are suffering from the overdose of blue light caused by the white LED backlighting of iDevices - even if they don't promptly realize. They're too human and the laws of biology and physics also apply to them.

I'm certain there are other solutions for such needs and you aren't left with no choice but an iPhone app.

Yes, sure there are, as has been also recommended in this thread by people defending Apple in every way possible:

- use a yellow screen protector
- use sunglasses

Both are VERY convenient, aren't they? Oh yes, they surely are...

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Making it mandatory is quite a step, especially since many people work with color sensitive material (photographers for example).

Of course it wouldn't be mandatory. After all, applying a yellow filter on top of the entire screen does make false colors. I've made several comparative shots of my (then, back in Summer 2012) four iPads showing this. An excerpt from my old article:

2.1 Color chart tests

Now, let's move to discussing color validity / trueness with the color chart: after all, these tweaks do have an effect on the quality of rendered colors. (You won't want to do any color retouching, where color rendering quality is of extreme importance, while the tweak is active. Fortunately, as has already been stated, you can quickly disable the tweak in Settings.)

Everything default:



Note that reds and browns are far deeper (see for example the topmost cells in the third, fifth and seventh colum) and the blues / greens definitely less pinkish on the two iPad 3's screen than on the iPad 1 / 2. Yes, both articles I've previously linked to were right when stating the same.

Now, go to the warmest mode, Candle, enabled on both the JB'n iPad 3 (top left) and 2 (bottom right). I present you with two different shots:






As you can see, the color quality does suffer. There's almost no blue: most of them are rendered as greenish ones (which also means your eyes get as little high-frequency light as possible), a lot of originally yellow / green cells have become (light) brown and are indistinguishable from previously light blue / pink cells.

This also means that, basically, you need to imagine the tweak as “just” a yellowish / brownish filter on top of the screen. With truly warmer backlight, there wouldn't have been so radical color changes (blues becoming greens, for example) – then, blue cells (that is, ones that have the highest light frequencies) would have become far more darker but wouldn't have changed their hue.

 

[ElectronGuru]

Of course it wouldn't be mandatory. After all, applying a yellow filter on top of the entire screen does make false colors.

That was my fault. I said 'make it standard' when I should have said 'make it a standard option'. Sorry.

I too work with photographs and when editing in the evening, use the quick-off function on flux to keep my screen blue based so I can make accurate adjustments to color temp and other settings. Having been a flux user for over a year, I also squint at the glare the blue light creates, having gotten so used to the natural yellow - and now try to do my editing before sunset.

The option should be off by default and should be adjustable (took me a few weeks to bring it to full strength) and should include a quick off feature. Btw, I also put it on my Mac mini based TV, coloring my video content (with a softer setting). The list of devices with the option, should include the ATV.

 

[PNutts]

Yes, sure there are, as has been also recommended in this thread by people defending Apple in every way possible:

- use a yellow screen protector

I suggested a screen filter and melatonin supplements because the OP in all caps described how important it is and I didn't know if they knew there are workarounds until Apple decides whether to include this. I didn't want to participate in the now four pages of bickering. In the motion sickness thread I was advocating turning on reduce motion and setting fonts to bold simply to stop people (myself) from feeling sick until Apple did something. That also isn't defending Apple.

I made no comments regarding Apple or whether they should or shouldn't implement this feature. I'll go back and mark my posts as OT to reduce your confusion, but if you can't make a point without mischaracterizing other posts then consider your point may not be strong enough to stand on its own.

Back on topic: I want Apple to include this feature.
Back off topic: I will probably buy a filter screen protector today.

 

[charlituna]

Yup, a better solution is to just not use something that you might want or need. Especially wen a simple solution already exists and can simply be made available. Totally sounds much more logical to not care about the simple solution and instead just work around it and inconvenience yourself.

Having an iPhone is not required for life, like say having a heart or a liver. Folks with such issues, genuinely with them not just think they do, are likely few and far between. And yes it is a solution not to use it. No one NEEDS an iPhone or even a smart phone. It's nice, it's fun. But a flip phone will make calls etc. Or you could always find another company that makes a smart phone that caters to your needs rather than your wants. Particularly the want of having the hip brand etc

 

[Patrick J]

I purchased these glasses and have been using them in the evenings. They are extremely comfortable and have a perfect effect on me- even though some of my devices don't support F.lux anymore, my sleep comes just perfectly.

Think of this as a hardware flux you can install onto your bionic self.

http://www.amazon.com/Uvex-S1933X-Eyewear-SCT-Orange-Anti-Fog/dp/B000USRG90

 

[hafr]

Having an iPhone is not required for life, like say having a heart or a liver. Folks with such issues, genuinely with them not just think they do, are likely few and far between. And yes it is a solution not to use it. No one NEEDS an iPhone or even a smart phone. It's nice, it's fun. But a flip phone will make calls etc. Or you could always find another company that makes a smart phone that caters to your needs rather than your wants. Particularly the want of having the hip brand etc

I'm so happy your attitude isn't representative for humanity, because if it was we'd still be living in caves...

Maybe you're this negative, judgemental and aggressive because you don't get enough quality sleep. You should try f.lux...

Discarding discussions regarding improvements of a product with "buy another product that has it" is such a strange thing to do, I don't believe you've really thought it through.

 

[Menneisyys2]

I purchased these glasses and have been using them in the evenings. They are extremely comfortable and have a perfect effect on me- even though some of my devices don't support F.lux anymore, my sleep comes just perfectly.

Think of this as a hardware flux you can install onto your bionic self.

http://www.amazon.com/Uvex-S1933X-Eyewear-SCT-Orange-Anti-Fog/dp/B000USRG90

I wish glasses would be the perfect solution... I don't use specs in everyday life; therefore, doing so is pretty much irritating for my nose. I'm pretty sure a lot of other (mostly non-specs-wearing) people are in the same state.

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I suggested a screen filter and melatonin supplements because the OP in all caps described how important it is and I didn't know if they knew there are workarounds until Apple decides whether to include this.

OK, sorry if you meant it this way.

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Discarding discussions regarding improvements of a product with "buy another product that has it" is such a strange thing to do, I don't believe you've really thought it through.

It is strange - however, it's pretty rampant on Apple forums. For example, if one posts a "how about adding feature XY to iOS, alternative OS'es have been having it for years" message, all (!) the regulars / Apple MVP's there answer with "if you don't like it, get a different product". No, not a single "yes, it'd be great to have this feature, hope Apple adds it" on their (regulars in those forums) part, nope.

A perfect example: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2724685?start=0&tstart=0 . All the regulars are doing so and none of them at least admits cursor positioning is really a pain in the back and it'd indeed be much easier with cursor buttons. (No wonder JB tweaks like SwipeSelection are highly popular, BTW. They make quick fixes much-much faster.)

 

[C DM]

Having an iPhone is not required for life, like say having a heart or a liver. Folks with such issues, genuinely with them not just think they do, are likely few and far between. And yes it is a solution not to use it. No one NEEDS an iPhone or even a smart phone. It's nice, it's fun. But a flip phone will make calls etc. Or you could always find another company that makes a smart phone that caters to your needs rather than your wants. Particularly the want of having the hip brand etc

Even less people need to be online, and less of them to be on forums, and even less of them to be on Apple relates ones like this one...and yet we are all here.

 

[Patrick J]

I wish glasses would be the perfect solution... I don't use specs in everyday life; therefore, doing so is pretty much irritating for my nose. I'm pretty sure a lot of other (mostly non-specs-wearing) people are in the same state.

I am also pretty cautious about eyewear! I used glasses for almost 2 decades until I switched to contacts.

But these yellow-specs are extremely light. I have them on for hours at a time and I just forget that I have them on!

 

[PNutts]

OK, sorry if you meant it this way.

Thx. Sometimes I talk too much and other times I talk too little. This was the latter.

 

[Unhyper]

Sleep isn't the only thing affected. Bright-light therapy isn't recommended for people with bipolar disorder (such as myself) because it can trigger manic episodes. I don't think it is too far a stretch to find a correlation between light therapy and the bright blue light used in modern displays.

My eyes are fairly sensitive to bright light, which is why all my eyeglasses are tinted to the extent that it looks like I am wearing shades indoors. I also suffer from migraines. I used to turn down the brightness on all my electronic devices very low so as to make them easier on my eyes, but that also made my eyes get tired more quickly. Now, at least on my computers, I don't have to do that.

I am surprised there is so much resistance to the idea of Apple adding this feature as an accessibility option. I guess the only thing even better than not suffering from an ailment is sticking it to those who do.

 

[jlnr]

Human beings have been on the planet for a very very long time now, and we've been looking at computer screens since the late 80's with no problems. flux has been around for a couple of years. It's not a medical necessity.

With no problems?! Just like we have been sitting on chairs and eating junk food all day with no problems. Humans have NOT slept like they do right now for the majority of this very very long time.

 

[dmj102]

Ever since updating to iOS 7, I have been experiencing major eye soreness more often and lasting with degrees of intensity for days. In particular, I noticed that my eyes got sore while on my iPad 4 Retina at night.

I tried decreasing the brightness and increasing the font size to see if it would help, but it didn't. I wore my reading glasses more too. That didn't help.

I was very concerned that my eyes were getting sore and degrading, so I boycotted my iPad for a couple of days. I also started searching the web for some answers. The other day, I stumbled upon f.lux by accident and decided to download it on my MBP. I was so impressed with f.lux and wanted it for my iPad and iPhone immediately, but then I found out there is nothing out there app wise. I really do hope that Apple offers f.lux or something like that in Accessibility because I don't think I will use my iPad as often at night anymore. Not worth the horrible eye sore I get.

 

[XboxMySocks]

Also, it's not even on Android, or Windows mobile.

That's where you're incredibly, incredibly wrong.

 

[Menneisyys2]

The other day, I stumbled upon f.lux by accident and decided to download it on my MBP. I was so impressed with f.lux and wanted it for my iPad and iPhone immediately, but then I found out there is nothing out there app wise. I really do hope that Apple offers f.lux or something like that in Accessibility because I don't think I will use my iPad as often at night anymore. Not worth the horrible eye sore I get.

As 7.1b1 doesn't contain anything like this, it seems the final 7.1 won't receive this either. That is, it's at least half a year before Apple introduce this - if at all.

All in all, your best bet is waiting for the jailbreak. Hope it's possible.

 

[Tubamajuba]

It is strange - however, it's pretty rampant on Apple forums. For example, if one posts a "how about adding feature XY to iOS, alternative OS'es have been having it for years" message, all (!) the regulars / Apple MVP's there answer with "if you don't like it, get a different product". No, not a single "yes, it'd be great to have this feature, hope Apple adds it" on their (regulars in those forums) part, nope.

Maybe it's because some people legitimately do not need feature XY? It's not my responsibility to endorse features that someone else cares strongly about. If you want a certain feature, tell Apple. Tell your friends. Tell MacRumors. But don't use statements like this:

"Why can't Apple insert feature XY into iOS? Android has had this forever..."

Because guess what? In this hypothetical situation, you can do one of two things at the moment you've posted that statement. You can stick with iOS and wait for Apple to potentially include that feature in a future update... or you can switch to Android, which already has the feature you want. What kind of response do you expect from someone that doesn't want or need that feature? After all, you've solved your own problem in your first post- switch to Android if you need the feature that badly. People have every right to point out your options, and you have the right to refuse those options and/or ignore those people.

Every day, 365 days a year, people complain in these forums about how iOS is so far behind because it needs to do A, B, and C, have features D, E, and F, and Android/Windows Phone/BlackBerry/Symbian have done G, H, and I since their creation. So pardon me for being really tired of people that choose to whine about a situation they can easily fix themselves.

It's one thing to opine about a wish list of features. But so many people go beyond that and become strikingly agitated that iOS doesn't have what they want. They then lash out at those who don't need what they need, and they also ridicule people who point out they can always move to the competing operating system they've been holding up in their comments like a badge of honor.

I absolutely have features that I'm waiting for Apple to include in iOS. Despite that, iOS meets my needs right now. If that ever changes, I'll switch to whatever OS meets my needs. After all, if you really want change in iOS, vote with your dollars.

 

[Menneisyys2]

It's one thing to opine about a wish list of features. But so many people go beyond that and become strikingly agitated that iOS doesn't have what they want.

Also note that a lot of us "whiners" are long-time Apple users, who have invested several thousand dollars in both Apple hardware and software. For our "investment", we would like Apple to at least try to provide the absolutely essential functionality a lot of us have been asking for for years.

Sure, we would easily "vote" by our dollars, but for a lot of us, it's a "buyer remorse" now that we've spent so much money on the Apple ecosystem.

Next time, I may seriously consider whether I should stay with Apple. I'm also a pro (with a MBP 17") and have also been let down by Apple when they stopped the 17" line; therefore, next time, I may go for something Windows-based, no matter how I dislike that system. (I hate and, in cases (for example in my almost electricity-less summer cottage), can't use external monitors. So not any of the current MBP lineup suffices for me.) I'm also lured by the excellent Wacom tablets, some even with 19-20" 4K screens, offered on Windows. Apple's lineup seriously lacks serious (non-iPad) tablets too - that's another area I find very lacking...

 

[masands]

I actually use F.Lux 24/7 now, even during daytime on my gaming PC. It has made a massive difference to my sleep. Before I used to go to bed at 10pm and fall asleep by 12am. Now I go to bed at 10 and I'm asleep by 10:15.

Unfortunately with my iPhone 5 and rMini not supporting F.lux, I've had to stop using them at nighttime in bed. I'm going to return the rMini for the Nexus 7 so that I can install some F.lux alternatives available on Android. Won't be switching from the iPhone however. It's too damn good.

 

[dontpannic]

That's where you're incredibly, incredibly wrong.

No I'm not. f.lux isn't on Android or Windows Mobile. It's as simple as that.

There are alternative products, but none of them do the job quite as well as f.lux does - instead of adjusing the colour temperature, they overlay a semi-transparent red layer on top of the UI. A crap alternative.

 

[Menneisyys2]

instead of adjusing the colour temperature

Actually, f,lux doesn't change the color temp of the backlighting LEDs either. It'd be technically impossible: the color temp of white LEDs can only be changed in hardware, that is, for example, putting a yellow(ish) filter in front of them, filtering out most/all blue components out. (Actually, this is how today's "warm" white LED's work. They all have a yellow filter in front of them. This is why they can't deliver the same power efficiency as "cold" or unaltered LED's - a lot of their energy just gets lost because of the color filter.)

That is, all f.lux too does is adding a yellow(ish) software filter. You can easily check this if you compare my comparative shots above, which show the color changes when applying the filter. If f.lux just filtered out blue (as would do a white LED not emitting no/little blue light), there would be no color changes to, say, originally green colors. Then, "only" blue colors would become black as there would be no blue emission in that frequency range. This is definitely not the case.

 

[X5-599]

You can do and say what you want and all, but I will never want a yellowish tint on my phone let alone my desktop. If the screen is too bright I turn it down. Stresses the eyes less and preserves the colors.