Bug 238298

Version:            (using KDE 4.4.2)
OS:                Linux
Installed from:    Ubuntu Packages

On Macbook Pros, Powerdevil manages the LCD backlight just fine, but the laptop has more equipment in the same category that Powerdevil does not manage. In particular, they have two ambient light sensors and a keyboard backlight. Powerdevil should be able to use information from the ambient light sensors e.g. to brighten the display when there is more light, dim it when there is less*, and illuminate the keyboard during low-light conditions.

This functionality is supported by a program called Pommed, but pommed by default conflicts with Powerdevil's control of the LCD backlight and KDE's control of the media and other special function keys. The quirks of the Macbook FN/special keys are being handled by the kernel now, making that part of Pommed obsolete. Pommed integrates with dbus, but still is separate from KDE; it feels as if these simple and power-management features belong in PowerDevil somewhere. If not PowerDevil, this functionality should exist in KDE and be accessible to systemsettings, without code redundancy or conflicts -- Macbooks aren't the only machines with light sensors, keyboard illumination, etc.

* OS X uses the light sensors to adjust screen brightness in this way for better readability in various lighting conditions.