Facebook begins public testing of Messenger’s dark mode feature

If you’re fond of sending out messages in the middle of the night, you’ll probably welcome this update from Facebook. The company has finally started testing dark mode for its Messenger app. Web app developer Jane Wong reveals on Twitter, “Facebook Messenger, seemingly due to prolonged external nagging, has started public testing Dark Mode in certain countries. They have put up a fair warning that Dark Mode isn't everywhere yet so don't complain when some UI burns your eyes off.” There isn’t a specific timeline yet when it’ll be coming out but you can now see how it’s going to look like if you do get the feature and decide to use it. Having a dark mode option works on the idea that this limits screen glare and protects your peepers from effects of blue light when you use your phone in the dark or in the middle of the night.

Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite gets 3,100mAh battery

The rumour mill for the new Samsung Galaxy S10 devices keep spinning. The latest one revolves around the cheapest version of the lineup. GSMArena reports on the battery capacity of the Galaxy S10 Lite. The image above, which was taken from the Korean certification agency, shows that the battery is rated at 3,100mAh. And while, it might be considered on the lower end of the spectrum, this is the Lite version of the S10. It is expected to have the smallest display at 5.8 inches and it could mean it uses less battery than its more premium siblings. The Galaxy S10, which will reportedly sport a 6.1-inch screen, is rumoured to be getting a 3,500mAh battery. While the 6.4-inch Galaxy S10 Plus will reportedly have a 4,000mAh battery.

Photos show Apple’s influence over Android phone design

Whether you have strong feelings for or against Apple, you can’t deny the influence the Cupertino-based tech giant has on the smartphone industry. This collection of photos shared by Reddit user u/Saim_Ray010 shows the shift in smartphone design before and after Apple released the original iPhone as well as before and after the iPhone X. You can see the lack of a coherent design language from brands before Apple put out its first phone as well as how many notched Android phones showed up after Apple popularized the notch. Some will argue that Apple wasn’t the first—with Sharp and Essential beating the company to the punch. But the brand certainly exercises a bigger influence on the industry as these images prove.

Netflix warns people against attempting Bird Box challenge

Once memes go viral and spawn ridiculous challenges, it’s hard to slow these down—no matter how stupid or dangerous they might be. Netflix is feeling the negative effects of how viral its horror film Bird Box became. The streaming service had to warn people to not take part of the “Bird Box challenge,” where people walk around with blindfold at all times as they attempt to go about their lives. Some took more extreme approaches, like YouTube creator Morgan Adams who attempted a 24-hour challenge. In a tweet released on its official account, Netflix says, “Can’t believe I have to say this, but: PLEASE DO NOT HURT YOURSELVES WITH THIS BIRD BOX CHALLENGE. We don’t know how this started, and we appreciate the love, but Boy and Girl have just one wish for 2019 and it is that you not end up in the hospital due to memes.” Whether that warning makes a difference or not, we can’t say. But we have to side with the streaming service on this one, just don’t do it.

Source: The Verge