True Tone in 2018 MacBook Pro Extends to LG UltraFine and Apple Thunderbolt Displays

[artfossil]

Without the ambient sensors working along with the true tone, I don't see how enabling True Tone is a feature. Unless True Tone will also control the screen brightness, which doesn't seem likely.

Why not test it out for yourself? Millions of us love it, which is why it's a feature.

 

[Frank Dalton]

Does the 2018 MBP have any necessary hardware for True Tone which older models don't have, or is it just artificially limited by software? The fact it works on external displays makes me think the latter but I'm not well versed enough on the engineering to know for sure. Would appreciate input from someone with better knowledge than me...

Presumably, the 2018 models have the requisite ambient light sensors built in to the hardware somewhere.

 

[FNH15]

What about with the Apple LED Cinema Displays? They're basically the same display tech as the Thunderbolt displays, but older ports. But they're not third-party monitors.

It may have something to do with the communications protocol - Thunderbolt carries data, MiniDisplay Port might not support the same protocol for interfacing between the MBP and the display's light sensor.

 

[A7ibaba]

With Apple MacBook pro 2018 every display can become True Tone, even old CRT Samsung 959NF.

 

[zombierunner]

120hz 4k/5k screen please.

 

[cambookpro]

Presumably, the 2018 models have the requisite ambient light sensors built in to the hardware somewhere.

Thought that too, but this makes me think it's levying the sensors in the (Apple-designed) displays - hence why it's not supported on any other external monitors - one of which is about eight years old. I guess the answer is in whether it works in clamshell mode or not.

 

[mrzz]

much better would be 4K HDR screen with smaller bezels (MBP)

 

[Nozuka]

hated it when i first got my X and turned it off.

turned it on again, afer a few months. forgot about it. now i'm used to it and like it.

 

[Martius]

Cool, I like true tone. I wish Apple was still producing their own monitors. Everytime I see my colleague's Thunderbolt Display I can't believe that is still the most beautifully designed display I have ever seen... wish they were little cheaper. Even after 7 years they are like $600–$700 used...

 

[Nozuka]

Can't be unseen. That screen looks upside down.

terrible!

and i'm not sure why it would have to be like that. the camera is so far at the top, it should have been possible to make the border the same on all sides..

 

[urtules]

So Flux lives on.

True Tone and Nigt Shift is not the same thing.

 

[69Mustang]

Can't be unseen. That screen looks upside down.

Thanks Bud. Now I gotta go strangle puppies, kittens, and baby unicorns to get that image scrubbed from my retinas.

The uneven bezels and non-centred camera are definitely trigger-worthy. Other companies just don't seem to understand or care about design.

I disagree. LG makes some darn fine looking monitors that are aesthetically pleasing. But this one? Not sure how the look of this particular monitor came about or was allowed to exist in the first place. It's just ugly for no reason. The fact that Apple had to bless it (and did) makes it all the more strange.

 

[randomplaydo]

A little off/on topic:
I have a pair of the 22" 4k LG ultrafine monitors. In the image with the article it shows a checkbox for automatically adjusting brightness. I do not have this check box. Is this solely going to be a feature of the new 2018 MBP or is this a software thing coming to Mojave? Note I'm not talking about True Tone, which I know won't be with anything except the new MBP. Just the automatically adjusting brightness.

And to go with that, anybody running dual ultra fines like me figure out a way to use the keyboard brightness to adjust BOTH monitors at the same time without having to click on one, adjust brightness and then click the other, and adjust brightness again?

Thanks

 

[Jensend]

Thought that too, but this makes me think it's levying the sensors in the (Apple-designed) displays - hence why it's not supported on any other external monitors - one of which is about eight years old. I guess the answer is in whether it works in clamshell mode or not.

It’s only using the sensor in the MacBook. Otherwise, it wouldn’t require a MacBook.

Why only a few supported monitors? I can see two reasons. One, they know how the monitor responds to different color settings. Two, the monitor needs to have greater than 8-bit control of its colors. If you try to adjust the colors in software you’ll lose colors and get banding.

 

[Glockworkorange]

I assume this only works when the laptop screen is opened, aka "clamshell" mode?

Clamshell mode is when it is closed.

 

[PickUrPoison]

I’d like to see the return of Apple branded monitors.

They’re coming, either before or at the same time as the Mac Pro next year.

 

[Glockworkorange]

A little off/on topic:
I have a pair of the 22" 4k LG ultrafine monitors. In the image with the article it shows a checkbox for automatically adjusting brightness. I do not have this check box. Is this solely going to be a feature of the new 2018 MBP or is this a software thing coming to Mojave? Note I'm not talking about True Tone, which I know won't be with anything except the new MBP. Just the automatically adjusting brightness.

And to go with that, anybody running dual ultra fines like me figure out a way to use the keyboard brightness to adjust BOTH monitors at the same time without having to click on one, adjust brightness and then click the other, and adjust brightness again?

Thanks

I will check and get back to you.

 

[Rocko99991]

All I see with true tone is yellow. I will take the cold white screen any day.

 

[cambookpro]

It’s only using the sensor in the MacBook. Otherwise, it wouldn’t require a MacBook.

Why only a few supported monitors? I can see two reasons. One, they know how the monitor responds to different color settings. Two, the monitor needs to have greater than 8-bit control of its colors. If you try to adjust the colors in software you’ll lose colors and get banding.

Wouldn't be the first time they've artificially limited something via software - but I suppose that makes sense. What if your MBP is in a corner of your desk with less light, etc though? That's why I think it might just be using the sensor in the displays they mention. Will have to wait for a review.

 

[photo570]

Adobe RGB is a color space that wasn't engineered to make sense at all. It wasn't even engineered. It was supposed to be essentially sRGB, but Adobe made two mistakes, misunderstanding and misreading the spec.

DCI-P3 is intended to fit within the bounds of cinema projectors, which is good for consumers who want to view media content. BT.2020 is going to match content and display technology in the future. No consumer media will use Adobe RGB. Adobe RGB should be considered as legacy.

Adobe RGB was "engineered" to be a good fit for CMYK printing, as in, if your RGB images are going to be printed on a printing press, they will be converted to CMYK, and Adobe RGB it a reasonable compromise as a working RGB space. And yes some of us still shoot photography for print output.

Just sayin'.

 

[ikir]

True tone just makes things look yellow, would rather have 4k screen

No sense. These screens are 4K 5k. If you mean notebook screens, they are already retina, no senso having 4K you can’t see but drains battery

 

[butterburger cookybutter]

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208909
Some display accessibility settings, including … Increase Contrast, might turn off True Tone.

This is distressing, hateful, rotten.

I love True Tone so much and every display is gonna have this tech in the future.
…
Calling it now, all screens in the future will adapt to their environment, presenting content in a natural, properly color-balanced way relative to the user's surroundings. I'd say within 5 years this will be more of a common thing and within 10 years it will be the absolute, unquestioned norm.

I am waiting for such a feature, since twenty years ago. I think you are overly optimistic.

I expected USB connector Type-C to debut like gangbusters. I expected most 2015 device introductions to accentuate connector C. I expected of 2016, to find plenty of examples of Type-C in almost every section of an electronics store. I expected by 2017, in an electronics store: only older/"mature" products would rely on non-C USB connectors; almost every device/appliance would feature C receptacles.

I thought USB Type-C equipment would sell like hotcakes. My prediction was optimistic and wrong. 'True Tone' is a killer feature which I dreamed of, but I think the masses will not care for it.

Just give me back a matte, 16:10 ACD display

I would rather have a HiDPI 5:4 display, or a 4:3 display, or an IMAX ratio display (64:45), or 3:2 screen shape, or even your desired 8:5, than squatscreen 16:9. I dislike LG UltraFine 4K Display primarily for its shortness/squatness.

It may have something to do with the communications protocol

I assume light sensor in LG UltraFine display is a USB device.

I assume this only works when the laptop screen is opened, aka "clamshell" mode?

Or maybe, finally after seven quarters/seasons, they are putting equipment to use. (LG UltraFine Display Ambient Light Sensor)

edit 2018-07-18 add:
My assumption is wrong, True Tone involves MacBook Pro's sensor, not UltraFine Display's sensor.

 

[Peperino]

MOre than True Tone, Apple should activate the "True price" for the MAcbook Pro...
They are sooo overpriced for what they are...and they only updated internal components.
Even the Keyboard looks like it is the same (3rd gen.)

 

[Jensend]

Wouldn't be the first time they've artificially limited something via software - but I suppose that makes sense. What if your MBP is in a corner of your desk with less light, etc though? That's why I think it might just be using the sensor in the displays they mention. Will have to wait for a review.

I want all my monitors be the same color temperature and brightness, even if each one is receiving different ambient light than the others.

 

[AnonMac50]

Anyone wondering if the iMac Pro will eventually get this through a software update or do you guys think it needs special hardware?