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Personal Tech: Blue Light Filters
Many people like to use their phones or tablets at night before they go to sleep.
However, the light from mobile devices can interfere with sleep. But not all light carries the same risk.
Recent studies have shown that within the light spectrum, blue light can have the worst effect on sleep.
A study in the UK showed that blue light actually can keep sleepy people awake. Tired drivers who were exposed to blue light became as alert as those who drank two cups of coffee.
Blue light filters have been developed for mobile devices to help with sleep issues. Apps are available for Android devices that filter blue light on screens. Updates to the iPhone, iPad and Amazon Fire tablet have added blue light filters.
Twilight App - Android Devices
Twilight is a free app that filters blue light on Android device screens. It can be set to turn on by itself. Or users can turn it on and off when they want.In the app settings, you can change the intensity of the filter, the color and the time the filter turns on and off.
Twilight works across all apps, though some apps may not work fully when Twilight's filter is on.
There is a YouTube video that explains Twilight use.
Twilight is available free for Android devices in the Google Play store.
Night Shift - iPhone and iPad
Apple updated its operating system for iPhone and iPad earlier this year. Included in the update is Night Shift, a blue light filter.
This feature is available on newer iPhones and iPads, including the iPhone 5s and later, and the iPad Air and later.
Night Shift can be set to turn itself on every night or for the user to turn it on and off as wanted.
To turn on Night Shift automatically every night, go to Settings, then Display, then Brightness and then Night Shift.On the Night Shift settings, move the switch to schedule Night Shift. It can be set for Night Shift to go on and off at specific times, or at sunset and sunrise.
In Settings you can also adjust the color of the filter.
Night Shift can also be turned on and off in Control Center on the iPhone and iPad. Open Control Center by swiping up from the bottom of the screen.
The sun and moon icon there identifies Night Shift. Tap it to turn Night Shift on or off at any time.
Blue Shade – Amazon Fire Tablets
Blue Shade
In an update to Fire tablets at the end of last year, Amazon introduced Blue Shade to filter blue light on screens. Blue Shade is available on more recent Fire tablets.
To turn on Blue Shade on a Fire tablet, swipe down from the top of the screen and tap Blue Shade. To adjust the color, go to Settings, then Display and, finally, Blue Shade.
I’m Dorothy Gundy.
Carolyn Mohr wrote this report for VOA Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor.
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Words in This Story
mobile - adj. able to move from one place to another
spectrum - n. the group of colors that a ray of light can be separated into including red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet : the colors that can be seen in a rainbow
actually - adv. used to refer to what is true or real
expose - v. to cause (someone) to experience something or to be influenced or affected by something
alert - adj. able to think clearly and to notice things
filter - n. a device that prevents some kinds of light, sound, electronic noises, etc., from passing through
app - n. a computer program that performs a particular task (such as word processing)
screen - n. the usually flat part of a television or computer monitor that shows the images or text : the part of a television or computer that you look at when you are using it
intensity - n. the quality or state of being intense : extreme strength or force
operating system - n. the main program in a computer that controls the way the computer works and makes it possible for other programs to function
schedule - v. to plan (something) at a certain time
specific - adj. special or particular
swipe - v. to make a sweeping stroke
introduce - v. to make (something) available for the first time