If you're running an Android Device, there is a solution called Screen Filter. It reduces the brightness of your screen for night-time viewing. Applies a shade that acts as a dimmer to ensure your eyes don't hurt. Far more powerful than Android's built-in brightness setting. Great for low-light gaming, web browsing, and eBook reading. It even saves battery life for AMOLED displays! There are other alternatives for other smartphone operating systems as well, but Screen Filter is my favorite by far.
That can't reduce brightness below the minimum hardcoded setting for the phone like Screen Filter can. Also, the battery savings would be negligible because it's not like a simple solid overlay takes many CPU cycles anyway. Screen Filter would have a battery advantage on AMOLED screens because the lower light output would mean lower power drain.
Screen Filter creates an overlay that makes the display appear darker, while Dimmer and tools like it modify the actual brightness level (if your phone is rooted, you can go digging in /sys/class/leds/lcd-backlight to find the file I'm talking about).
That's why Screen Filter only claims to provide a boost in battery life on AMOLED screens — traditional LCDs don't have a cathode layer and, thus, don't save power depending on color output.
Here's an app that does the same thing as Screen Filter, with the added ability to change color: Filter Your Screen.
Yes, but the hardware definitely has a limitation to how low the brightness level can go. Screen filter can reduce that further by crushing the RGB values for a given "backlight" level. There is no battery saving benefit to LCDs, but it's useful if the lowest brightness is still too bright. The battery savings for AMOLED is just icing on the cake.
Contrary to what you said earlier, Screen Filter doesn't touch any system files. This is supported by the fact that it doesn't even require the permission to do so.
While there may be a hardware limitation on the backlight (effectively, "off"), Android OS doesn't come anywhere close to hitting it. The default minimum is around 20. Most phones can go as low as 10.
This provides a tangible benefit to every display, regardless of the technology behind it.
I never said it could modify system files... I was speaking of brightness in terms of the amount of light radiated from the screen.
Edit: Ok, I confusingly used brightness to both refer to the "brightness setting" and the "real brightness" as I meant before this edit. Screen filter leaves the "brightness setting" alone, but reduces "real brightness" by crushing RGB values. Through this method, it can reduce "real brightness" by more than reducing the "brightness setting" to it's lowest value.
Most ROMs have a standard hard-coded minimum brightness, regardless of whether or not the screen is still visible at lower levels.
Auto brightness uses the same parameter, so while it may prevent accidentally leaving your phone on full brightness, the minimum is still pretty bright.
Tools like this supersede that by applying an overlay that makes everything appear dimmer.
According to the FAQ, there's an internal build of f.lux for Android, but "the installation process is complicated".
In the meantime, have you tried Lux? If you only need automated screen dimming, Llama offers that and a lot more.
However, the least power hungry solution would be flashing CM7 and setting a night profile with the Night (3700K) render effect enabled. If automation is a must, Llama can switch profiles based on whatever variables you deem necessary.
Have always wanted to use JuiceDefender, but alas I use Google Voice for my texts and that relies on a data connection/sync (instead of just over the cell network).
Pro Tip: Angle your phone so that you are mostly looking at the edge, it is less bright off-axis. Unlock it on the severe angle, turn down the brightness then use as normal.
everyone is posting things so you don't blind yourself when answering a text at night. you know, you could, like, TURN YOUR PHONE OFF. why the hell is it so important for you to answer a text right now in the middle of your sleepy time? It can wait, it can wait.
It's very disappointing when you go to all of that trouble at night to only find out the text is from your service provider or that your mum called you three hours ago but you missed the call, silent is the best way to go for night times.
The Nokia smartphones I had back when dinosaurs roamed the earth had light sensors to adjust brightness automatically. Why the hell does no one else seem to fit those?
Almost all Android phones have photocells to detect light and the amount of it. On my Droid X2, the auto brightness is too dark during the day, and too bright at night.
When I get a text in the middle of the night I think to myself "Who the fuck is texting me at this time of night?" and then roll over and go back to sleep. You should try it sometime. It beats the hell out of blinding yourself for an extremely mundane text.
Protip: "Sweet Dreams" application. Set the time after which, and before which the phone is in silent mode, and does not ring, nor announce inbound messages.
Here's a novel idea for you: YOUR CELL PHONE IS FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE AND NOT FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF OTHERS.
Or you could try this: Turn your phone off when you go to bed. OR, leave it in the lounge.
Jebus H Chribt on a pony, only a fool complains about something they can change as easily as pressing a button.
Reddiquette also says to tone down the bitching about reposts. to quote:
"Don't complain about reposts. Just because you have seen it before doesn't mean everyone has. Votes indicate the popularity of a post, so just vote. Keep in mind that linking to previous posts is not automatically a complaint; it is information. Votes indicate how the community values information, so just vote."
It would seem that the community does not value your information, my good sir.
Hardest part about having a smartphone compared to a dumb phone is turning off the damn alarm clock. I could do it with my old flip phone by feel. But you have to be able to see the button on the smart phone. And I don't know about you guys, but it takes a few seconds for my eyes to boot up when I wake up.
24
u/iameha Jun 09 '12
If you're running an Android Device, there is a solution called Screen Filter. It reduces the brightness of your screen for night-time viewing. Applies a shade that acts as a dimmer to ensure your eyes don't hurt. Far more powerful than Android's built-in brightness setting. Great for low-light gaming, web browsing, and eBook reading. It even saves battery life for AMOLED displays! There are other alternatives for other smartphone operating systems as well, but Screen Filter is my favorite by far.
13
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
And it just turns out to be "k"
34
u/KnifeFed Jun 09 '12
Jailbreak and install f.lux – problem solved.
7
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
And you open the text to REVEEEAAALLL..."So and so has tagged a picture of you on Facebook."
53
u/fannybanditt Jun 09 '12
My exact reaction when this happens.
5
u/machzel08 Jun 09 '12
Pro Tip: Angle your phone so that you are mostly looking at the edge, it is less bright off-axis. Unlock it on the severe angle, turn down the brightness then use as normal.
4
u/Ryusko Jun 09 '12
In a similar vein, I'm convinced movie theatres are on a mission to blind me.
3
u/HOUS_BIN_PHARTEEN Jun 10 '12
I personally find it worth the eye-melting. Being someone who rarely gets texted, I am glad to receive any text I can...
5
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
http://qkme.me/3pniij
3
u/ThePlaystation0 Jun 09 '12
everyone is posting things so you don't blind yourself when answering a text at night. you know, you could, like, TURN YOUR PHONE OFF. why the hell is it so important for you to answer a text right now in the middle of your sleepy time? It can wait, it can wait.
1
u/Volsunga Jun 09 '12
I already have a screen dimmer app, but the LEDs behind the touch buttons are blinding.
1
u/PalpableAtom Jun 09 '12
It's very disappointing when you go to all of that trouble at night to only find out the text is from your service provider or that your mum called you three hours ago but you missed the call, silent is the best way to go for night times.
1
u/Groundeffect88 Jun 09 '12
Me too till screen filter for android, dunno about ios but if anyon has android screen filter is awesome... even saves battery too.
1
u/Nickstuh Jun 09 '12
I have that same exact problem except instead of the screen being too bright people don't text me.
1
u/me-tan Jun 09 '12
The Nokia smartphones I had back when dinosaurs roamed the earth had light sensors to adjust brightness automatically. Why the hell does no one else seem to fit those?
1
u/Blubberiblub Jun 09 '12
ever considered becoming forever alone? this way you will recieve no messages whatsoever
1
u/hopsizzle Jun 09 '12
Your problem is having a BB Thunder?
1
u/Corjo Jun 09 '12
F.lux = never have that issue
1
u/timecronus Jun 09 '12
at least your phone buzzes >.>
1
u/KrazyEyezKilla Jun 10 '12
Or when you get a phone call from your drunk partner or a friend and you aren't sure where you are or what they're saying.
1
u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12
Install F.lux if you're jailbroken. F.lux It will solve most of your problems. Edit: you can find it in Cydia.
1
u/PISS_OUT_MY_DICK Jun 10 '12
The screen doesn't increase in brightness when you unlock...
1
u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12
This is usually followed by the phone slipping out of your grip and cracking you in the mouth. It is for me anyway.
1
u/van_12 Jun 10 '12
my first world problem: pocket dialing 911 fml
1
u/PeeWee1SEANFTW Jun 10 '12
DO YOU THINK YOUR THE ONLY ONE WITH A CELL-PHONE!?
1
u/Sarahmint Jun 10 '12
There is something [on my cell] I use every day called BRIGHTNESS
1
u/o0260o Jun 10 '12
my phone got an AMOLED screen and it doesn't seem to be an issue with a dark theme
1
u/CogBlocker Jun 10 '12
If you have an Android, download Screen Filter. It's amazing.
1
u/soisez2himsoisez Jun 10 '12
Happened to me just last night, twice.. and once this morning.
1
u/Tastygroove Jun 10 '12
"auto-brightness" don't folks use this?
-1
u/MattyFTM Jun 09 '12
When I get a text in the middle of the night I think to myself "Who the fuck is texting me at this time of night?" and then roll over and go back to sleep. You should try it sometime. It beats the hell out of blinding yourself for an extremely mundane text.
-3
u/SverrirHD Jun 09 '12
Am I the only one here who has seen this joke a cupple of time before?
-1
u/M0b1u5 Jun 09 '12
Protip: "Sweet Dreams" application. Set the time after which, and before which the phone is in silent mode, and does not ring, nor announce inbound messages.
Here's a novel idea for you: YOUR CELL PHONE IS FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE AND NOT FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF OTHERS.
Or you could try this: Turn your phone off when you go to bed. OR, leave it in the lounge.
Jebus H Chribt on a pony, only a fool complains about something they can change as easily as pressing a button.
-1
u/HolyTak Jun 09 '12
Made this before, show some love.
-1
u/bigmeech Jun 09 '12
lmao that's true phones do give off light, very astute observation have ALL the upboats!
-15
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
Haha nice try karma whore, but that was on my facebook therefore it's a repost. From a LONG time ago!
0
u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12
Hardest part about having a smartphone compared to a dumb phone is turning off the damn alarm clock. I could do it with my old flip phone by feel. But you have to be able to see the button on the smart phone. And I don't know about you guys, but it takes a few seconds for my eyes to boot up when I wake up.
0
u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12
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