Stillcolor

Stillcolor is a super handy open-source app designed for Mac users, especially those with M1, M2, or M3 chips. It tackles a common problem called temporal dithering or FRC. So, what’s that? Well, it’s a tech that switches up pixel colors to boost the color depth you see on your screen. But here’s the catch: for some users, this can lead to annoying side effects like eye strain, nausea, fatigue, and dry eyes.

Understanding Temporal Dithering

This kind of tech isn’t new. Manufacturers have been using something called Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) for ages because it’s cheaper and simpler to manage brightness and improve images. But many folks are sensitive to these methods. And guess what? Temporal dithering pops up in all Apple Silicon Macs!

How Does Stillcolor Work?

The app is pretty straightforward! It hangs out in your menu bar so you can easily disable or turn back on dithering whenever you want. Plus, it can launch automatically when you log in—talk about convenience! Right now, if you want to check how well it's working, things can get a bit tricky; you might want to peek at the app's GitHub page for more details.

Is Disabling Dithering Worth It?

You should know that turning off temporal dithering will change how images look on your screen; it reduces observable color depth. But if you're dealing with eye strain and can't use your Mac comfortably for long stretches of time, this tradeoff could really be worth considering!