Facebook tries out new search interface on Android

Facebook for Android users in Canada might be seeing a new search interface show up on their apps. The interface shows you topics it thinks you might be interested in along with links and posts related to them. So, for example, you like music, it'll surface content related to the topic. Think of it as something similar to Instagram's search page where you're shown photos from topics you might be interested in. The test is being conducted here, in South Africa, and in the Philippines. There is no word yet if it will be getting a wider release, or if the testing extends to iOS. But the renders Facebook sent to MobileSyrup show the interface on an iPhone.

Netflix tests variable playback speed on Android app

Android users in different parts of the world have spotted a new variable playback speed option on Netflix. But it doesn't seem widely available yet, suggesting that the streaming service is doing a limited server-side test. The new Speed option shows up beside the Audio & Subtitles menu. And it allows you to reduce playback speed to 0.5x or 0.75x, increase speed to 1.25x or 1.5x, or keep it at the default 1.0x. There haven't been any signs from iOS users if the test extends to them. And we don't know yet if the feature will make its way out of testing. But for those of you who want to consume the most content in as little time as possible, we know you'd want this.

Source: Android Police

Google Chrome 78 on iOS 13 now supports system-wide dark mode

Browsing through Chrome in the middle of the night on your iPhone will no longer burn your retinas. Version 78 of the browser now supports iOS 13's system-wide dark mode, which means if you have the feature enabled, Chrome will follow suit. However, Google's take on the dark theme isn't a real black background. Instead, it brings a grey background colour throughout the interface. Sites that support dark mode will change as well. 

Another change this update brings is the new card-like interface for sections like Bookmarks, History, Recent Tabs, Reading Lists, and Settings. These sections will slide up from the bottom when you pull them up, and you can swipe them away when you're done with them. Chrome now also lets you add a new credit card directly from the Settings page. This update is now available on the App Store.

Source: 9to5Google

LG G8X ThinQ Dual Screen is coming to Canada on Nov. 1st

LG's take on a dual-screen smartphone is launching in Canada in a few days. The LG G8X ThinQ Dual Screen is arriving on November 1st, and it will be available at carriers like Eastlink, Freedom Mobile, Koodo, SaskTel, TBooth, Wireless, Telus, The Mobile Shop, Videotron, Virgin Mobile, Wireless Wave, and Xplore Mobile. The handset can be purchased for as low as $0 on some two-year plans.

The LG G8X's most distinct feature is the detachable secondary display, which can be used as a gamepad or keyboard. It's designed to make multitasking on the phone easier. The screen can even be turned into a stand. It runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor, Android 9.0 Pie, 6GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. Its primary display is a 6.4-inch OLED FullVision screen with a 2,340 x 1,080 resolution. At the back, the phone has a dual-camera setup with a 12-megapixel main shooter with f/1.8 aperture and a 13-megapixel super-wide lens with f/2.4 aperture. The front-facing camera is a 32-megapixel one with f/1.9 aperture. The LG G8X's battery has a 4,000mAh capacity.

Source: MobileSyrup