One of our top picks for best desktop software, f.lux announced Tuesday that they have released a major update to their popular screen dimmer application. f.lux 3.9 now allows your screen to go even warmer, from a previous setting of 3400K down to 2700K or optionally to 1200K, if you prefer. So now you can simulate that working-by-candlelight experience on your HD display. Movie mode allows you to keep the warm setting but preserves details in picture quality such as shadows and skin tones. This mode also has a built-in timer, which allows you to watch most feature-length films. Turning on the darkroom mode creates a color inverted output of your display with an overtly red overlay, perfect for working in the dark and just in time for Halloween.

(Credit: Screenshot by Tuong Nguyen/CNET)

The new hot key function is an added blessing if you want to turn off dimming or manually adjust the lighting quickly, without having to track down the taskbar icon. Alt+PgDn/PgUp will allow you to dim or brighten your screen and Alt+End lets you turn the application on and off. Last but certainly not least, you can now sync f.lux with your Phillips Hue light system and f.lux your entire house. We haven't had a chance to test this feature but the ability to "f.lux" your e... [Read more]

On Wednesday, Malwarebytes launched the mobile version of their popular anti-malware application on the Google Play Store. In a press release, CEO Marcin Kleczynski said the following:

"Since computer software has been around, people have been finding ways to attack it through vulnerabilities or through targeting users. The Android mobile operating system is no different. Its success in the consumer space--and its openness--has made it a huge target for malware authors."

The app, itself, focuses on three primary functions. Most users who are familiar with the PC counterpart should recognize the device scanner, which basically detects any malware variants like Trojans, backdoor, and spyware. The latter half is new territory for Malwarebytes: Privacy Manager and App Manager.

The App Manager, itself, is exactly as it sounds: It's a reorganized list of running processes on your Android device that lets you monitor how many resources an app takes up, as well as offering the option to close them. Malwarebytes strips away the extraneous system processes to help users focus solely on the apps that they're familiar with, like downloaded apps. You can also choose to whitelist apps.

The Privacy Manager scans your apps for instances of accessing your private information and breaks it down by which apps access what. Though not exactly a new concept, the organizatio... [Read more]