Windows 11 is bringing a whole suite of changes to the OS. One of these is giving you the ability to switch between light and dark mode. But it’s not just the color of the UI that’s going to change. Along with becoming easier on the eyes, the OS will also be easy on the ears by playing different sounds.
The sounds will be softer in dark mode, an effort from Microsoft towards “making the technology calm.” They believe that softer sounds have a calming effect on the mind.
Windows 10 sounds were sharp, literally created with sharp wavelengths. In Windows 11, we have focused on making the technology calm. In order to do this, we needed to reevaluate our soundscape to also be calm.
Microsoft
The company has drawn parallels with this move and the work it has put into the visual design language of Windows 11 as a whole. It’s not a massive leap from Windows 10, but closer examination shows rounded corners instead of sharp edges.
Microsoft has applied the same philosophy to the sounds “to soften the overall feel of the experience.”
The new sounds have a much rounder wavelength, making them softer so that they can still alert/notify you, but without being overwhelming.
Microsoft
But this begs the question; if the rounded soundscape is more calming, why not apply it across light and dark themes? Well, it seems Microsoft has a reason for that too.
We introduced light and dark sound options so that people who may have low visibility or no vision can still experience light and dark themes audibly.
Microsoft
That makes sense, but the rest of that statement makes it a bit more confusing as it seems that Microsoft had multiple objectives in mind when altering the sounds for the light and dark modes.
Themed sounds improve productivity by matching your working style through your theme. Dark sounds help you stay in focus, while light sounds ensure you’re always engaged.
Microsoft
It seems they are trying to say that the sounds in light and dark modes are different so that people with visual impairments can experience two different modes. But, through this implementation, one method will keep users calm while the other will help them be more productive.
About Microsoft
Founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in 1975, Microsoft is an American MNC that creates, licenses, supports and sells computers, software, electronics, video games, and corresponding services.
Some of the most popular titles in the world, like Age of Empires, Forza, Gears of War, Halo, Minecraft, Microsoft Solitaire, Microsoft Flight Simulator, and State of Decay, have been developed and published by Microsoft.
Microsoft is also known for establishing the famous console brand Xbox, along with the video game subscription Xbox Game Pass.
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