Longtime Mac users know all about the wonders of f.lux, a third-party preference system that automatically adjusts the color temperature of your screen, shifting from blue to yellow during the day, in order to combat the harmful effects of blue light.
With iOS 9.3, Apple added a feature called “Night Shift” that’s essentially f.lux, but for your iPhone or iPad. This useful feature will now be available on Macs as well.
The latest developer beta for macOS Sierra, version 10.4.1 beta 1, includes a Night Shift feature that can be enabled through the System Preferences app. Once enabled, you can toggle it on and off from Notification Center.
However, you should keep in mind that the feature is only available through the developer beta and not the public beta, which is available through the Apple Developer Center. A public beta version, however, is expected to be released soon.
Although it's not completely confirmed, there has been a lot of research linking the blue light emitted by screens to eye strain and sleep disruption. Many people who have installed f.lux have reported that it helps their eyes feel less tired and their sleep more restful.
It's not just display device makers that are tackling this issue. At CES 2017, Soraa debuted its Helia smart home bulb, which gradually changes color temperature from blue light in the morning to a more yellow light at night.
The addition of Night Shift to macOS isn't just another case of an iOS feature making its way from the iPhone to the Mac, but another way for Apple to show its concern for the health and well-being of its users, something that CEO Tim Cook and his team have made a priority.
