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🐠 Turn Off the Lights Browser Extension version 4.5: What is New and Improved

If you love an immersive, distraction-free browsing experience, then the Turn Off the Lights browser extension version 4.5 is likely one of your favorite tools. Designed to dim the surrounding content on your screen, it provides a focused environment, whether you are watching videos, browsing content, or just enjoying your favorite website’s layout without unwanted distractions. We are thrilled to announce some fantastic updates to make this extension more powerful, customizable, and seamless.

Turn Off the Lights Browser Extension version 4.5 has a long list of improvements, bug fixes, and new features, this latest update delivers something for every user. Here is a breakdown of what is new and improved, and how these changes can enhance your browsing experience.

Open-Source code

One of the most groundbreaking updates in version 4.5 is the consolidation of eight separate web browser projects into a single, unified GitHub repository. This monumental shift streamlines development, enabling faster updates, easier bug fixes, and a more consistent experience across all major web browsers. Whether you are using Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Microsoft Edge, Opera, Naver Whale, Yandex, Samsung Internet, or any other supported Chromium browser, the new unified project ensures that all features and enhancements are implemented uniformly.

By centralizing the codebase, the project becomes more transparent and accessible to developers worldwide. Open-sourcing this unified project invites contributions, fosters collaboration, and empowers the community to participate in improving the extension. This move not only simplifies maintenance but also guarantees that the extension remains cutting-edge and secure for all users.

Feel free to browse the code in this latest Turn Off the Lights browser extension version 4.5, share suggestions, and contribute improvements on GitHub:
https://github.com/turnoffthelights/Turn-Off-the-Lights-browser-extension

Turn Off the Lights Browser extension version 4.5

New Features to Elevate Your Experience in Version 4.5

1. Game Controller Feature – Added Play Forward/Backward 10s Option

  • The game controller feature is now equipped with a 10-second forward and backward button, giving users quick control over their video playback. Whether you missed an exciting moment or want to skip forward, this feature offers a smooth, enjoyable viewing experience right from the extension.

2. New Dynamic Backgrounds – Aquarium and Fireworks Options

  • For those who enjoy personalizing their viewing experience, two new dynamic backgrounds—Aquarium and Fireworks—have been added. The Aquarium background brings calming underwater visuals to your browsing space.
Turn Off the Lights browser extension version 4.5 with the Aquarium feature enabled
Turn Off the Lights browser extension version 4.5 with the Aquarium feature enabled

The Fireworks option offers vibrant, celebratory animations. These backgrounds are perfect for setting a unique mood while you browse or watch videos.

Turn Off the Lights browser extension version 4.5 with the Fireworks feature enabled
Turn Off the Lights browser extension version 4.5 with the Fireworks feature enabled

3. AutoDim for Smaller Video Players

  • AutoDim is a beloved feature that automatically dims the surrounding content when you start a video. In this update, we added an option to disable AutoDim for smaller video players, allowing users to keep their preferred light level for smaller screens. This change is perfect for users who often view video in a minimized format and do not want AutoDim activating unnecessarily.
Turn Off the Lights browser extension version 4.5 AutoDim feature option for only video players larger than 250 x 220 pixels
Turn Off the Lights browser extension version 4.5 AutoDim feature option for only video players larger than 250 x 220 pixels

Key Fixes to Improve Stability and Functionality

1. Fixed AutoDim with HTML5 Video

AutoDim functionality has been fine-tuned to work more seamlessly with HTML5 videos, addressing previous issues some users encountered with this feature. Now, the dimming effect activates smoothly and reliably every time an HTML5 video plays, enhancing the browsing experience without interruptions.

2. YouTube AutoHD and 60FPS Block Fixes

For YouTube enthusiasts, the AutoHD setting and the 60FPS block feature are now fixed. Users can now confidently expect their preferred HD quality and frame rate limits on YouTube without glitches. This update ensures better compatibility and a more stable viewing experience, especially for YouTube’s high-definition content.

3. Reflection Fixes on the YouTube Website

We have addressed an issue with reflections on YouTube’s website, providing a cleaner, distraction-free video view for all users.

Performance Enhancements and Optimizations

1. Options Page Touch Range Bar Improvements

The Options page now includes an improved touch range bar for greater control and a smoother setup experience. This enhancement makes it easier to customize your settings, especially for users on touch devices who want more precise adjustments.

2. Performance Improvements by Splitting Dynamic Background CSS

To boost performance, the CSS for Dynamic Backgrounds has been split, allowing for quicker load times and better responsiveness. This change means that even with your favorite dynamic backgrounds enabled, you can expect a faster, smoother experience.

3. AutoStop and 60FPS Block Splits

Performance improvements also extend to AutoStop and the 60FPS block features. By splitting these elements, the extension can now handle these features with greater efficiency, resulting in faster, more reliable performance across the board.

4. Removed CSS Speech Box

For a cleaner design, we have removed the CSS speech box, allowing for a simpler, distraction-free viewing space.

Show Your Support: Donate and Rate Us!

We are dedicated to delivering a high-quality, versatile extension that enhances your web experience. If you enjoy using Turn Off the Lights and appreciate the ongoing improvements, please consider supporting us. Donations allow us to continue making meaningful updates and improvements, keeping the extension free and accessible for everyone.

Also, we would be immensely grateful if you could take a moment to rate Turn Off the Lights with five stars. Your positive feedback not only motivates us to keep going but also helps other users discover the extension and enjoy its features.

Thank you for being part of our community, and we hope you enjoy Turn Off the Lights v4.5 updates!

About The Author

Stefan Van Damme