DarkMode
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Test shows dark mode really can save battery life on OLED iPhones
Dark mode is a key feature on iOS 13, but can it really extend your iPhone's battery life? If it's an OLED model, the answer seems to be a firm yes, according to tests done by PhoneBuff. They used robotic devices to perform identical tasks on two iPhone XS test devices, one in light and one in dark mode. That included watching a YouTube video, using Twitter, navigating with Google Maps and chatting on the Messages app.
iOS 13 with Apple Arcade and watchOS 6 are now available
If you've been holding on patiently for Apple Arcade, system-wide dark mode on your iPhone, the Sign in with Apple feature and better Maps and Siri, your wait is over: Apple has released iOS 13 and watchOS 6. You might need to be a little patient before the update shows up on your iPhone or Apple Watch -- the company's servers typically get slammed whenever a major OS update drops.
Google Files gets better playback controls for offline media
Google says 100 million people are using the Files app for Android each month, and it has just revealed some quality-of-life improvements that'll benefit people beyond helping them free up 8 GB of space every second. Offline playback for music and video is getting a boost with controls to skip, rewind and fast-forward your media. It's a minor, albeit surely welcome update for those who manage tunes or MP4s in Files.
Apple adds system-wide dark mode for iOS 13
As expected, Apple's newest mobile operating system, iOS 13, will include a system-wide dark mode. The company announced the change at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) today. While the feature has been circulating through the rumor mill for months, it's still one of the most notable changes to come out of this year's conference.
Facebook Messenger's dark mode goes live for everyone
After a month-long, emoji-based teaser, Facebook Messenger is the latest big-name app to fully hop on the dark mode bandwagon. As of today, you can darken your screen while using the iOS and Android app from your settings -- the update is rolling out worldwide.
iOS 13 may include system-wide dark mode and undo gesture
With Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference less than two months away, more details about what iOS 13 might have in store are emerging. It could add a system-wide dark mode, deeper multitasking options, an undo gesture and updates for the likes of Safari and Mail, according to 9to5 Mac.
Google experiments with dark mode for Chrome on phones
It took Google quite some time to get on board with the idea of adding a dark mode to its apps and platforms, but it's definitely looking like the tech giant has gone all in. 9to5Google has discovered that Chrome 73 beta for Android comes with a night theme, a few days after it reported that Google is working on a dark UI for Chrome on Mac and Windows.
Apple's 2020 iPhones may use laser-assisted 3D cameras
Apple's plans to improve iPhone photography might go well beyond adding a third rear camera. Bloomberg sources say the tech giant is developing a 3D camera system that uses a laser scanner to capture depth information at distances much greater than the dot projection system used in Face ID on current iPhones. Augmented reality is reportedly the main focus, since this would help gauge dimensions, but it would also help with portrait mode photos that currently have to rely on software to detect foreground objects.
Android Q may include a dark theme and desktop mode
Many Android users still don't have Pie yet, but details are already emerging for its follow-up. XDA says it has obtained a very early build of Android Q (Quiche? Queso?) that hints at Google's plans. For one, there's a system-wide dark theme. This might be particularly helpful if you're trying to save power on an OLED-equipped phone or just don't want to blind yourself at night. There's a developer option to force the dark mode on apps that don't support it, hinting that it may take a while before every app honors the feature.
Office 365 for Mac now supports Dark Mode
As promised, Office 365 is ready to wring more out of macOS Mojave. Microsoft has updated the Mac version of its subscription productivity suite with several helpful features, two of which are tied to Apple's latest software. The obvious one is Dark Mode support -- you won't strain your eyes quite so badly if you're writing a school essay at night. And if you need to quickly add a photo to your presentation, PowerPoint now supports Mojave's Continuity Camera feature to let you directly import pictures from your iPhone or iPad.
Microsoft Office will get a dark mode for macOS Mojave
Microsoft Office users on macOS Mojave are in line for a welcome update, as a dark mode is on the way. However, you might need to wait a little while before Microsoft makes it a little more comfortable for most users to hash out their masterpiece novel in Word in the middle of the night. The mode just went live for Insider Fast testers, according to Office product manager Akshay Bakshi.
Try macOS Mojave's Dark Mode on these apps
It's been a few weeks since Apple announced that macOS Mojave would launch today -- in that time, many app developers have been at work getting their creations ready for the new OS. Probably one of the changes Mac users want to see first and foremost is support for Dark Mode. While it doesn't make any functional difference, it's a nice visual redesign that a lot of users might prefer to the older Mac UI. But apps that aren't updated stick out like a sore thumb -- so the faster key apps get updated, the better.
YouTube's dark mode reaches Android users
YouTube has taken its sweet time bringing its "dark theme" to Android (iOS users got the option in March), but it's finally here. The streaming video giant has started rolling out the option to at least some Google-powered devices. If you have it on your phone, you'll find it your Settings' General section. It's not certain how soon everyone will get the feature (we've asked Google for comment), but it may take some days to arrive. Don't despair if you're looking at the familiar white backdrop for a while.
macOS Mojave's dark mode makes late-night computing less painful
The leaks were on the ball: macOS Mojave will include a dark mode. While the existing operating system already lets you darken the menu bar and dock, Mojave will extend that to the entire interface, whether it's Finder windows or apps like iTunes. A dynamic desktop can gradually shift your background, too, so you won't have to remember to change the appearance when the sun sets. Apple pitches this feature as helpful for pro media editors looking to minimize distractions, but it's also handy for virtually anyone who uses their Mac late at night.
macOS leak hints at dark mode and desktop News app
Apple has inadvertently spoiled some of WWDC 2018's mysteries in advance. Well-known developer Steve Troughton-Smith has spotted a hidden video on the Mac App Store showing off what looks like a new version of macOS with a system-wide dark mode -- not just the menu bar and dock as you see today. There's no guarantee this would translate to iOS, but it would be helpful for both late-night computing sessions and media creators who find bright graphics distracting. This wouldn't be the only addition, either.
Android P won't get a 'dark mode' after all
There was a short-lived hysteria Friday when it seemed like Google would grant a longstanding request to add built-in "dark mode" theming on stock Android, similar to the tweak OnePlus adds. Unfortunately, the team updated its tracker to explain that there was a misunderstanding, and it's not coming. For users who prefer custom themes they'll still need to root and add third-party tools to do it, but that doesn't mean nothing is happening. As a post in the thread explains, what the Android team will change in its "P" release is a new toggle that makes it easier for developers to test a night mode (Twitter has one) in their apps. The function was already there, but now it's easier to access in Settings, so more apps may take advantage and save a little eye strain or potentially even energy on OLED-screened phones. Hi folks, you may remember me from the last three releases where it looked like Dark Mode was being added. Unfortunately, this bug was closed prematurely due to a miscommunication with the team that handles AOSP issues. What we *have* added in a future Android release is a developer-facing setting (via Developer Options) to toggle the -night UI mode qualifier, which will make it easier for developers to create and test apps that implement night mode. This qualifier has been in the platform since Froyo (SDK 8) and globally modifiable via UiModeManager since Marshmallow (SDK 23); however, there was never an explicit toggle made available anywhere in Settings. If it's any consolation, we will also not be adding Hot Dog Mode (where all UI elements are yellow and red).
Unlock YouTube's hidden Dark Mode to save your eyes
If you've ever tried to watch YouTube when it's dark out, you know that the typical bright white of the video service's page can be a bit blinding. Enter "Dark Mode," a hidden feature that turns the light surfaces black or dark gray so you can get on with those cat videos without all that glare.
