Dark mode is all the rage on Android right now, with many of even Google's own apps either having or being in the process of adding support for shadier themes (and it's not just Google apps). Soon, Android itself will support a darker palette at the OS level - something many in the community feel is years overdue. Now, it seems the Assistant UI is getting in on the action, and the team's first stab has, to put it plainly, not gone well. Just look at these screenshots.
Read More[Update: Video] Leaked Android Q builds reveals system-wide dark mode, new permissions UI, possible desktop interface
XDA has managed to get its hands on an early build of Android Q, confirming that Google's next version of our favorite operating system will include a dark mode, as expected. But plenty of more secrets were hiding inside the image XDA found, including a much-needed app permissions revamp, what may end up being a Samsung DeX-like desktop UI, and piles of smaller features.
Read MoreGoogle is working on adding dark mode to Chrome for Android
Thanks to Google's own leaks, we know that a system-wide dark mode is (finally) coming to Android via the Q release, but until all the apps we use have corresponding dark themes, it won't really matter. That's why we're excited to hear that Chrome for Android is planning a "dark mode experiment," likely similar to the dark theme available on Chrome for Windows.
Read MoreGoogler seemingly confirms that Android Q will have system-wide Dark Mode
It's no secret that Google has been taking steady steps toward supporting dark mode in most of its Android apps. Over the past year, we've seen YouTube, Phone, Contacts, Messages, the Pixel Launcher, Google News, some parts of the Maps app, and more get a darker, less retina-searing, more battery-friendly theme. After hoping that Android Pie would bring a system-wide dark mode, then being disappointed that it didn't, everyone was cautiously optimistic that Q would finally be "it." We were, maybe, 90% sure, but didn't want to get our hopes up. Now, we have more reason to dream, so let's say we can raise it to 95% sure.
Read MoreNative dark mode in Google Chrome for Windows 10 now available in Canary channel
The overwhelming demand for dark modes in apps is beginning to see serious results now, to the point where 2019 could be the year we see system-wide dark modes across all the major platforms. Windows 10 has already implemented this, but it relies on app developers to do their part, which Google is now doing for the Chrome browser.
Read More[Update: Screenshots] Facebook Messenger is testing dark mode, but only in some countries
Facebook has been experimenting with (and subsequently reverting) changes to its Messenger UI over the last few months. All throughout this testing, the most vocal demand we've seen from our own readers was for a dark mode to better supplement the blinding white design. Now, according to famed social app teardown expert Jane Manchun Wong, Facebook Messenger is finally starting to test a dark mode — but only in some countries, and it's still incomplete.
Read MoreEvernote v8.6 adds much-requested dark theme — your turn, Google Keep
It seems like apps are only gaining white space lately, but at least one of the world's most popular note taking apps is joining the dark side. With version 8.6 of Evernote, the app has introduced a dark mode. With any luck, other major note and to-do apps, like Google Keep and Microsoft OneNote, will follow soon.
Read MoreGoogle Phone v26 dark theme is here [APK Download]
You've been asking for it, and asking for it, and asking for it, and... well, you get the point. Just after the Google Contacts app brought in the long-awaited, long-demanded dark theme, the Phone app is now following closely behind with the dark theme we've seen for the last couple versions. It's finally out of testing and available for the rest of the world to enjoy.
The Best Of AP
Google Contacts v3.2 brings the long-awaited dark mode [APK Download]
A ton of Google apps have gotten reskinned with the company's updated Material look, and Contacts was among the first to receive the redesign. Given the apps' very generous use of the color white, many have been begging for a dark theme. Android Messages (or, rather, simply 'Messages' now) and Google News have already gotten dark modes, and Contacts is the latest Google app to be updated with one.
Read MoreGoogle admits too much white in apps is bad for battery life
During the Android Dev Summit 2018 that was just held in Mountain View, Google admitted something we all basically knew anyway: it may have been wrong to use so much much white in its apps as it drains smartphone batteries faster than duller, darker colors. Thankfully, dark modes can alleviate the problem and lead to better battery life, and Google wants more devs to add one to their apps.
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