Facebook is ready to launch a dark mode feature amongst many other important updates in the near future as 9to5 has reported. Dark modes have been rolling out for months on Android apps such as YouTube TV but it is finally coming to Facebook.
Other features include a coronavirus tracker which could be key in the coming months. A “Time on Facebook” as well as a “Quiet Mode” features are also close to being rolled out. This marks the beginning of significant changes to the Android Facebook app.
Dark Mode will soon be Ready to come to the Facebook app
Facebook’s main app has resisted rolling out a dark mode even though many others have been doing so. The likes of Facebook Lite, Messenger and Instagram have all done so but nothing from the main app. Although there have been hints Facebook may be moving in this direction nothing concrete has been confirmed until now.
The app will offer a manual toggle between dark and light mode for users. It will also fall into line with Android 10’s system-wide toggle to move all apps to dark mode at once.
The update appears complete from screenshots which have been shown. However, there is no indication about when this will become fully available.
Coronavirus tracker and wellness initiatives
Another important feature Facebook is looking to introduce is a coronavirus tracker. Other tech companies have looked the help tackle the virus with Fitbit launching a study into predicting COVID-19 symptoms. The app is designed to give users up to date local and worldwide information.
The idea is that users will have the ability to easily access the number of confirmed cases in their local area. The tracker will show cases over the course of a three-week period locally and nationally over a seven-day period. Global case number can also be seen so users can access this data easily.
Facebook has also decided to introduce some features which focus on the wellness of its users. The “Time on Facebook” feature lets users know how long they have spent on the app on a weekly basis. This feature will also show users ways to better manage time on the platform.
This feature will also have an interface to quickly and easily manage ones time on Facebook. This also includes a “Quiet Mode” where users can mute that app.
This functionality was always available on the platform but is under a different name. All of these time managing functions were already built into the app but now they are more rationalized and easy to use.
Overall, this looks like a significant update for the Android Facebook app. A dark mode is something that Facebook users have been clamoring about for some time and it seems to be almost ready to go.
The coronavirus tracker looks to be a useful information tool for users. The “Time on Facebook” feature also appears to be a function the has wellness at its core and makes best use of Facebook’s existing functionality.