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Dark mode is rolling out now to another Google app

By Minjun Park
2 min read
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In this article (5)

Even though Android Q will have a system-wide Dark mode feature, Google continues to add a Dark mode on many of its apps, especially those updated with the Material Design look. Considering that only 10.4% of Android phones have Android 9 installed nine months after its release, Google will continue to update individual apps with Dark mode. This is important considering that Google’s Material Design includes large areas of blinding white light in the background; viewing it in the dark makes it feel as though your retinas are melting.

Dark mode makes it more comfortable to view an app or website at night or in the dark by reversing the usual white background and black text; instead, the user sees white text on a black background. And it will actually save some battery life on phones using an AMOLED screen. That’s because the color black is created on these panels by having all pixels turned off, which doesn’t require any battery power. LCD screens use a backlight even for black, and that requires some energy to be tapped from the battery.

The latest Android app to get the Dark mode feature is Google Keep, an app that is used to write down notes and lists. For example, you can create a shopping list and have it appear when you’re at the supermarket, or at a set time. You can also snap a picture of a receipt and store it until needed. Or just type in random thoughts and ideas that you can share with friends and family members. The app has large areas of white that can strain your eyes or worse in the dark.

This is a server-side update that takes the Android version of the app to 5.19.191.07. When you finally do receive the update, you’ll find the Dark mode toggle by opening up the Settings page.

Questions & Answers

Q.

Why is Google continuing to add Dark mode to individual apps if Android Q will have a system-wide feature?

A.

Only a small percentage of Android phones currently have Android 9 installed, so Google is updating individual apps to ensure more users can access Dark mode benefits before a system-wide rollout becomes widely available.

Q.

What is the primary benefit of Dark mode for users, particularly concerning eye comfort?

A.

Dark mode makes viewing apps or websites more comfortable in dark conditions by reversing the usual white background and black text, which helps to prevent eye strain often caused by the large white areas of Material Design.

Q.

How does Dark mode contribute to saving battery life on certain types of phone screens?

A.

On phones with AMOLED screens, Dark mode saves battery life because black is displayed by turning off individual pixels, requiring no power. This differs from LCD screens, which use a backlight even for black areas.

Q.

Which specific Google app has most recently received the Dark mode feature?

A.

Google Keep is the latest Android app to receive the Dark mode feature. It is used for notes and lists, and its previous large white areas could cause eye strain.

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