• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

Chrome Unboxed - The Latest Chrome OS News

A Space for All Things Chrome, Google, and More!

  • News
  • Reviews
  • Unboxing
  • Chromebooks
  • Upcoming
  • Deals
  • Tips
  • Podcast
  • Home
  • Gaming
  • SEARCH
You are here: Home / New & Upcoming Features / Google News on the web receives a much needed dark theme
Google News on the web receives a much needed dark theme

Google News on the web receives a much needed dark theme

December 18, 2020 By Michael Perrigo Leave a Comment

Yesterday, I was browsing Google News like I always do, and wishing it had a dark mode like I always do and felt my daily ping of disappointment…like I always do. Then, I refreshed the page and just like that, my eyes were finally saved from the burning white torch of light mode. Before my very eyes was the coveted dark mode!

Okay, I am being a tad dramatic, but for good reason. When the Google News “Android” app transformed into a PWA on the Google Play Store for Chromebooks, we lost dark mode with it and I was not happy. That was back in May and now and only now, it has returned. That’s six months without dark mode! I know, first world problems, right? Either way, when you have the ability to toggle it on and off and then lose it, it does create a major shift in the usability and comfort of the product.

If you’d like to toggle it on for yourself, that is, if it didn’t already happen automatically, then you can scroll down your news feed a bit to be met with this notice introducing the feature. Also, if you look on the left sidebar of the site, you will find the ‘Settings’ section near the bottom. Once you’re there, you will find a direct setting for Dark Mode.

more from Chrome Unboxed
  • Google's super secret Collections feature will mean the death of bookmarks one way or another
    Google’s super secret Collections feature will mean the death of bookmarks one way or another
    by Michael Perrigo

Even more exciting is the fact that it’s set to ‘System default (when available)’, which means that if your system is set to dark mode, then the site will mimic that. Youtube recently received a similar setting and Google also tested a dark theme for Search this week. All of this points to their efforts to create a universal dark mode across their entire ecosystem so that when you tell your Chromebook to utilize it, every Google-branded website will respect that and follow suit. In fact, Google is also working on a way to change all of Chrome to dark mode, but they’re taking special care with their own websites and making sure they look perfect first.

My entitled complaints aside, the new Google News dark theme is not only easier on the eyes, but it’s also easier on your battery. With a universal dark theme across Chrome OS on top of the massive battery improvements that came with OS 87, I think that Google may one day bump up their estimate for battery life in their advertisements, just to show off a bit.

Get Alerted About New Posts On
Your Schedule
Sign Up For The Official Chrome Unboxed Newsletter
Latest Posts
  • PSA: Google Tasks now works in landscape mode on Chromebooks and it makes all the difference
  • Chrome OS turns 10 & we’ve partnered with Google for a very special giveaway to celebrate
  • Chrome OS 89 is here with a hat full of tricks
  • ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5 and CM5 appear on Google’s Chromebook page with pricing info

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: New & Upcoming Features, News

About Michael Perrigo

Think. Tinker. Dominate. Game developer and author. Must learn something new every day. I have a passion for the mobile games industry and where it's headed. I enjoy working out and eating delicious food to counteract my progress.

TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | EMAIL | ABOUT

Copyright © 2021 · Chrome Unboxed · Chrome is a registered trademark of Google Inc.
We are participants in various affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites.

GET EMAIL UPDATES

Privacy Policy

  • Reviews
  • Editorial
  • About