Root Night Vision Mode - Save 50% Battery?

[noahjk]

Surfaceflinger turns off all pixels except for certain colors on OLED displays. Turning on only the red display results in a MUCH increased battery life. Looks like something to be included as an option in new roms & such.

Jeff Sharkey Android SurfaceFlinger tricks for fun and profit

 

[drivie]

Looks interesting but I think you meant say that it results in increased battery life.

 

[Jakaro]

Why would you possibly want to do this. Its great to know, but the only person i see this being useful for is the color-blind, then it really wouldn't matter.

 

[noahjk]

Why would you possibly want to do this. Its great to know, but the only person i see this being useful for is the color-blind, then it really wouldn't matter.

I just found the link. I'd do it at night when I'm not looking at anything that needs full color. It can also be good for people using it outside or in the car when ruining your night vision isn't something you'd want to do. The color red doesn't cause your pupils to contract as much.

 

[elborak]

I can also see the value of an option to kick down to a lower power display mode (even if it means losing color) when the battery is getting low. There are times I'd gladly take an hour in red over 30 minutes in color.

 

[coolbone]

This is a great idea, especially when I'd be running out, it would be during nighttime.

I can also see the value of an option to kick down to a lower power display mode (even if it means losing color) when the battery is getting low. There are times I'd gladly take an hour in red over 30 minutes in color.

From my Incredible Drooooiiiiiid.

 

[cuban11182]

Ok Newb question, how do I install?

 

[Taylored]

This is a great idea. I could easily use the amber.

 

[iowabowtech]

This is a great idea. I could easily use the amber.

Kinda what I was thinking. It would really rule if it could be tied into the photosensor. When the home, menu, back arrow, search lights turn on from low ambient light, the filter takes effect automatically.

 

[Taylored]

Kinda what I was thinking. It would really rule if it could be tied into the photosensor. When the home, menu, back arrow, search lights turn on from low ambient light, the filter takes effect automatically.

That is a great idea! You should send that to Sharkey.

 

[Taylored]

Any news on this? Anyone figure it out?

 

[azide]

This is due to the way OLEDs work and it a bad idea for long term use.

Notice a very slight bluish/greenish tint on whites? Thats because the blue OLED pixels fade much more quickly than other colors. Its a well known trick to take a full screen device and tint it ever so slightly depending on the OLED per-color lifespans. That way your device is acceptable when you first get it (all colors are "fresh",) colors degrade and actually become more balanced over a certain amount of "usage time," and by the time it is noticeable that your blue pixels are fading, you're on to a new device already.

I don't know what the "aging time" for each color is (other than that blue dies more quickly and was a big hurdle in getting OLEDs to the market,) nor do I know how much they compensate when assembling the screen, or the targeted "on time" for a "balanced" screen. If you run your entire screen with a red tint for say, 70% of its use, you could potentially burn out colors prematurely and make your screen look wonky.

Honestly if I could get a huge battery boost by running in nighttime mode I'd have no issue with a color tint, but I wouldn't want my screen looking oddly pale due to dieing reds in a year so I'll personally be avoiding this.

tldr;
each pixel color has its own "lifetime"
use lots of one color instead of the other and you'll age those pixels more quickly
when all your reds are aged more compared to the other colors, things will start to look funny when you operate without a screen tint.