12Gadgets - tools for your desktop
 
 
 
 
Black screen to protect your new OLED!
 
  • Only covers a specific display (e.g. your OLED!) if you have more than one monitor
  • Not-a-screen saver: Your second monitor can stay visible and you can keep working on it!
  • Does NOT wake up on mouse-move: you can still work on the second monitor (show messages, or a clock, or your current playlist...)
  • Much faster than turning the monitor off and back on (can save you 5 to 10 seconds every time...)
  • Single button operation
  • Kicks in automatically after a configurable time
  • Enhance your OLEDs life span (stays cooler, less wear-and-tear)
  • Save energy: OLEDs use less power when showing black (i.e. nothing)
  • Does NOT flash white when turning on and off (unlike the Windows 'Blank' screen saver)
  • Optional clock and date
 
 
 
 
 
Select which
displays to protect:
 
 
 
 
   Right, it's just a black screen. The clock is optional (digital, analog, day-date)
 
 
 
 
 
 Settings
 
 
 
 
 
 Why use a screen saver?
 
 
Q: Why use a screen saver in the first place?
 
A: No reason to use a screen saver except if you have an OLED. How do you know if you have an OLED? You'd know! They cost way more than a TFT, VA or IPS panel. You would also notice the deep black of a background - it's not grayish or washed-out.
 
You may also like the huge clock displayed instead of your desktop.
 
Q: Why not minimize all windows?
 
A: This is actually a good idea! If you have a black desktop background, no icons, and your taskbar is set to auto-hide, it's the same. However, if you have several windows open, arranged properly, it's easier to just click "Go Dark!". Also, pop-ups and notifications may appear later that are covered by the screen saver.
 
Q: Why not use the Windows 'Blank' screen saver?
 
A: You can, nothing wrong with that, just a few minor differences:
 
  • Most importantly, 12g-Black does not respond to mouse moves! A Windows screen saver turns off when you bump against your desk and the mouse moves ever so slightly. And: on a second monitor you can still work and click!
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  • Speaking of two monitors, 12g-Black can be set to cover only one screen (your OLED), while your second monitor is still visible and accessible. No need to use a screen saver on a non-OLED monitor, it does not save any energy since the backlight is always on. OLEDs, on the other hand, turn off each pixel and thus need less energy for a dark or black screen.
  •  
  • Btw, you can easily reverse displays. For example, while watching a video on your main (OLED) monitor you can darken the other monitor(s).
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  • 12g-Black does not flicker! All Windows screen savers show a white flash when turning on and off. Not a big deal but once you notice it you can't un-see it.
  •  
  • And there's a configurable clock display you might be interested in.
 
Q: Does it work on my OLED, too?
 
A: Yes, no matter if you have a W-OLED or QD-OLED, an LG, Samsung, or Sony, whether you have a TV, monitor, or notebook. If it has an OLED display it makes sense to protect it and save energy.
 
Q: Is there a white flash like in the Windows 'Blank' screen saver when turning on and off?
 
A: No, of course not! In fact, this was the initial reason to develop 12g-Black... And the mouse shake that turns it off every time you bump against your desk... And that it covers all monitors instead of only the OLED (keep working on your second monitor while your new OLED is protected!)
 
 
 
 
 More tips to protect your OLED:
 
 
You've spent a lot of money for your precious OLED and would like to protect it from possible burn-in. Here are some easy steps to follow:
 
  • Keep windows as dark as possible: right-click on your desktop and select 'Personalize', click 'Colors', and at 'Choose your mode' select 'Dark'. Now the background of most apps is dark. This requires less energy. And your OLED won't get as hot. And it strains your eyes less since your pupils widen.
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  • Remove wallpaper and any colors: right-click on your desktop and select 'Personalize', click 'Background', select 'Solid Color' and choose black (or the darkest color you can stomach...)
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  • Make the taskbar disappear automatically: right-click on the taskbar and select 'Taskbar settings'. At the bottom click 'Taskbar behaviors' and check 'Automatically hide the taskbar'. This is the most important one since bright colorful icons on your taskbar stay at the same position for a long time.
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  • And of course set up 12g-Black to cover all running programs when inactive: in settings check 'Go black after' and choose a time between 5 and 10 minutes. In 'Select screens to go black' make sure your OLED is selected. Non-OLED displays don't save energy when they show black - the background light is still on full power. You can leave them on so you can always see apps on your second screen, like your music play list, or a clock (which, btw, is a great reason for a second monitor and you'll have enough space for all 12Gadgets!)
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  • Don't worry! My five year old LG C8 - after more than 20,000 operating hours as main desktop monitor - has zero visible artifacts. No reason to lose any sleep over, and after five years you'd probably like a new (bigger!) screen anyway.
 
 
 
 
 
12Gadgets:
Backup | Black | Browser | Clock | Colors | Light | Moon | Photos | Protect | Sleep | Time | Volume
 
12g Pixel Clock | 12g Invisible Clock
 
 

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