Apple's Night Shift will help users sleep

Apple's latest operating system for iPhones and tablets will come with an automatic Night Shift mode designed to help users sleep better, the company has confirmed. The new iOS 9.3 has just been released in beta form to developers.

With Night Shift, the amount of blue light emitted by the screen will be reduced in favour of colours which are less of a strain on the eyes.

The device does this automatically, using its geolocation and internal clock to determine what time sunset is and change to orange, red, and yellow tones. At sunrise, the screen reverts to its normal colours.

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"Many studies have shown that exposure to bright blue light in the evening can affect your circadian rhythms and make it harder to fall asleep" says Apple.

"It’s not often that a smaller update of iOS, Apple’s operating system for mobile devices, comes with treats for users," says The Guardian, who call Night Shift a "big feature" for iPhone users, especially those with a penchant for browsing Facebook in bed late at night or reading on their screens.

Macrumours notes that f.lux, which has been available on the Mac for several years, operates in the same way. Its makers recently flirted with the idea of introducing their app to the iPhone, but were blocked by Apple as it "violated" their developer program agreement". Now, says the site, "it appears Apple was working on its own in-house solution instead".

As well as Night Shade, the iOS 9.3 contains several smaller new features. Notes can be kept behind a password or touch ID – ideal for those who use the app to jot down sensitive information – and there's also improvements to the Health and News apps, along with the introduction of 3D-touch shortcuts for iPhone 6S and 6S Plus users.

The operating system won't be ready as a full update for some weeks, says The Express, but those "itching" for a night-friendly iPhone can download the public beta version likely to be available nearer its public release.