cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/2919904
The NightOwl application has existed since 2018 and is used to automatically switch between light/dark modes on the operating system. It is an alternative to the built in macOS automatic mode which only switches when the user steps away from the computer.
However, the application has been bought out by “TPE.FYI LLC” in late 2022 that forcibly joins your devices into a botnet for use of market research, without your knowledge (other than the TOS in small text on the download page) or express consent (this feature cannot be turned off, even when the app is quit). This is documented in their terms of service.
Implementing a featureset like dark mode buddy would result in switching many times a day (as you go between various lighting conditions)
Apples implementation does it at sun rise/sun set, but waits for the user to sleep the computer so it only happens when you’re not actively trying to read something, which is the best for most people using macs as that would be jarring otherwise.