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  • WhatsApp gets View Once messages in its beta version

    WhatsApp gets View Once messages in its beta version

    Last year, Facebook introduced Vanish Mode to Messenger and Instagram, a feature that allows users to send ephemeral messages. Now, the company is extending the feature to WhatsApp, and it is already available in the app’s beta version.

    The Vanish Mode in WhatApp has been dubbed “View Once”. Before you send a photo, video, or text, you have the option to tap on a little circle icon with the number one inside. That way, your message will automatically delete itself once viewed by the recipient. Additionally, you will receive a notification when your media has been opened.

    However, there is a crucial caveat to take note of. Unlike Messenger’s vanish mode, if the person on the other end of the conversation decides to screenshot or screen record your message, you will not be notified. Unfortunately, in its beta WhatsApp still does not support screenshot detection. We will have to wait and see if it gets added.

    There are also a couple of details in regards to disabling read receipts. Firstly, if read receipts are disabled, the person you’re chatting with will still be able to see whether you’ve opened View Once content. However, you won’t know if they have opened yours.

    On the other hand, you will still have the ability to see who has opened your message in group chats despite having read receipts disabled. Another important detail for group chats to remember is that blocked users can open the photos and videos you send to them. You can view who’s looked at the content by going to “Message Info”.

    View Once will work even for those who haven’t received it yet. Facebook hasn’t reported when View Once will graduate from the beta version to the stable one. Currently, it is available only on Android and will be introduced to iOS at a later date.

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  • Facebook testing Dark mode for iOS

    Facebook testing Dark mode for iOS

    What do you do when your social-media site is under attack because of your policies that allow offensive posts and posts filled with hatred to ferment until they blow up? Why you start pushing out Dark mode for the mobile version of your site. Of course, we are talking about Facebook. The social-media giant has lost a lot of high-rollers from its advertising roster over the last week including Verizon. The nation’s largest carrier spent nearly $1.9 million on Facebook and Instagram ads from May 22nd to June 20th. As more and more big-name advertisers pulled out, Facebook’s stock cratered leaving co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg some $7 billion poorer on Friday alone.

    Facebook has started rolling out Dark mode for “a small percentage of users globally right now.” Dark Mode inverts the typical black text on a white background to black text on a white background. This prevents users from having the white-hot background irritate their eyes at night or in a dark room. On phones using an AMOLED display, it can save battery life since OLED panels create the color black by turning off pixels in the appropriate area. Pixels that are turned off do not draw on the phone’s battery.

    There have been rumors for years about a Dark mode for Facebook and occasionally Facebook has tested such a feature. The most recent story we wrote about it was posted three weeks ago. Meanwhile, Dark mode has surfaced on Facebook Messenger, Facebook Lite, WhatsApp, and Instagram. It is also offered to users of the desktop (web) version of the site.

    A Facebook user who shared an image of Facebook in Dark mode on Twitter was apparently using the first developer beta of iOS 14. To see if you have Dark mode on your Facebook app, go to settings and if a Dark mode button appears, congratulations. You have Dark mode for Facebook. Unfortunately, we did not get Dark mode yet on our iPhone 11 Pro Max running iOS 13.5.1 and our Pixel 2 XL running Android 11 beta 1. Unless Facebook really does broaden the distribution of this update, it will turn out to be another disappointment for those Dark mode fans who want the UI for their Facebook app.

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  • Facebook dark theme rolling out to more Android users

    Facebook dark theme rolling out to more Android users

    Facebook has been trying to implement the long-awaited dark theme into its Android app for many months, which isn’t something unusual. We’ve been hearing reports about the company’s struggles to finalize the feature, but it looks like Facebook’s endeavor turned into a marathon rather than a sprint.

    Starting today, a lot more people have started to see the new dark theme in the Facebook app reports. We’re still not convinced that Facebook has finally nailed the feature for Android users and is making it available for everyone.

    However, it’s a clear sign that the company is confident in the results and is rolling out the dark theme to more Android users, one of the final steps before a wider deployment. It’s probably just coincidence that a few days ago WhatsApp has finally managed to deliver the highly-anticipated dark theme to Android beta users.

    We can’t promise you that you’ll see the new dark theme right away, but we’re certain it won’t take long until Facebook will start a wider roll-out of the feature, so stick around for more updates on the matter.

  • Airplane mode might get more intelligent in Android 11

    Airplane mode might get more intelligent in Android 11

    When your phone is set on Airplane mode, all radios inside the device are disabled. This prevents radio signals from possibly interfering with the equipment that pilots rely on while flying an airplane. Also known as Flight mode, or even offline mode, passengers on a plane can use this setting to access content already downloaded on a phone such as a movie, music, or a mobile video game.

    While Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are currently disabled when Airplane mode is turned on, both can be used by enabling them separately. Google plans on making this feature more intelligent in Android 11. The report says that on phones running the next Android build, turning on Airplane mode will not automatically disable Bluetooth by default. Instead, if you are using Bluetooth and then turn on Airplane mode, Android will be smart enough to figure out that you still want this connection enabled even when activating Airplane mode.

    The new feature was spotted on the Android Open Source Project Gerrit under a new commit titled “Context-aware Bluetooth airplane mode.” It states that Bluetooth should not be automatically turned off when Airplane mode is turned on under one of two conditions. One, Bluetooth A2DP is connected, or two, the Bluetooth Hearing Aid profile is connected. A2DP stands for Advanced Audio Distribution Profile and is used to allow a device to send high-quality audio from a Bluetooth device to a handset. Both devices have to have A2DP or else the Bluetooth connection will be limited to passing along voice calls. Most phones do support A2DP these days. The Bluetooth Hearing Aid profile allows those with hearing aids to wirelessly connect to smartphones and other devices.

    With this new feature, a passenger in a plane won’t have to do anything to keep his wireless Bluetooth earpods connected to his Android phone once forced to turn on Airplane mode. Otherwise, the user’s wireless earpods will stop working until Bluetooth is separately enabled. It saves the user a little time and aggravation.

    Back in 2017 with iOS 11, Apple gave iPhone users the ability to keep Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled even when Airplane mode was turned on. This allows an iPhone user to keep his Apple Watch connected to his iPhone via Bluetooth even with the handset’s internal radios shut down. And it also allows an iPhone user to stay connected to his AirPods when Airplane mode is enabled.

  • H&M’s & Other Stories Launching on Tmall

    H&M’s & Other Stories Launching on Tmall

    H&M Group’s womenswear brand & Other Stories will launch a Tmall flagship store in the fall, making the Alibaba Group-owned B2C online marketplace the label’s first official sales channel in China.

    The Tmall store will offer collections designed by its three ateliers in Paris, Stockholm and Los Angeles, ranging from shoes, bags and jewelry to accessories and ready-to-wear items, according to a release.

    “This collaboration marks another important milestone in our long-standing partnership with H&M Group brands, and we look forward to continue working together to bring elevated shopping experiences to Chinese consumers,” said Jessica Liu, GM of Tmall Fashion and Luxury.

    & Other Stories will be the fourth H&M brand to join Tmall, following the Swedish fashion group’s namesake H&M brand and home-accessories brand H&M Home last year. H&M’s street-style label Monki opened a flagship store in 2016. The fast-fashion giant also owns denim lines Weekday and Cheap Monday, boutique-style label Cos, as well as the fashion-and-lifestyle brand Arket.

    “We look forward to the launch this autumn and can’t wait to get to know our Chinese customers and seeing their interpretations of our wardrobe treasures,” & Other Stories MD Sanna Lindberg said.

    Launched in 2013, & Other Stories operates 70 stores worldwide, while its online shop currently delivers to 15 countries in Europe, the U.S. and Korea.

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  • Dark mode is rolling out now to another Google app

    Dark mode is rolling out now to another Google app

    Even though Android Q will have a system-wide Dark mode feature, Google continues to add a Dark mode on many of its apps, especially those updated with the Material Design look. Considering that only 10.4% of Android phones have Android 9 installed nine months after its release, Google will continue to update individual apps with Dark mode. This is important considering that Google’s Material Design includes large areas of blinding white light in the background; viewing it in the dark makes it feel as though your retinas are melting.

    Dark mode makes it more comfortable to view an app or website at night or in the dark by reversing the usual white background and black text; instead, the user sees white text on a black background. And it will actually save some battery life on phones using an AMOLED screen. That’s because the color black is created on these panels by having all pixels turned off, which doesn’t require any battery power. LCD screens use a backlight even for black, and that requires some energy to be tapped from the battery.

    The latest Android app to get the Dark mode feature is Google Keep, an app that is used to write down notes and lists. For example, you can create a shopping list and have it appear when you’re at the supermarket, or at a set time. You can also snap a picture of a receipt and store it until needed. Or just type in random thoughts and ideas that you can share with friends and family members. The app has large areas of white that can strain your eyes or worse in the dark.

    This is a server-side update that takes the Android version of the app to 5.19.191.07. When you finally do receive the update, you’ll find the Dark mode toggle by opening up the Settings page.

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  • Google adds Dark mode to an Android Apps

    Google adds Dark mode to an Android Apps

    If your eyes feel strained at the end of every day, it could be because of Google’s Material Design, which it is using on many of its core apps. Because Material Design uses plenty of bright white background, it can be blinding to look at at night or in a dark room. Not only can the light hurt a phone user’s eyes, but it can also be annoying to other people in a dark room.

    To combat this, Google started adding a Dark mode feature on apps that it gave a Material Design makeover. This changes the appearance of an app from having black text on a white background, to show white text on a black background. While many only use Dark mode at night or in a movie theater, others just like the look and keep the setting enabled on all compatible apps at all times.

    And thanks to the use of the black background, those using a phone sporting an AMOLED screen could end up extending their battery life. The color black is created on an AMOLED display by turning off the RGB sub-pixels in the screen. This means that battery power is not needed to make an OLED panel display the color black. An LCD screen uses a backlight and when the color black is called for, the pixel turns opaque blocking the LED light from being seen on the display. In this case, there is still a draw on the battery to power the backlight.

    The latest Android app to receive the Dark mode option is the Google Calculator app for Android. This is a must-have for the calculator, which has a huge white box that covers the top 40% of the screen. Dark mode can be found in version 7.6 of the utility app, although only version 7.5 is currently available from the Google Play Store. Once the new version is installed on your Android phone, open it and tap on the three-dot overflow menu in the upper right corner. You’ll see a box with several options; click on Choose theme. You can select from the regular retina melting Light theme, Dark theme or Set by Battery Saver. The latter is supposed to turn on the Dark theme once the battery saver feature is enabled.

    Android Q and iOS 13 are both supposed to include a system-wide Dark mode. We should learn more at Google I/O and WWDC, which start May 7th and June 3rd, respectively.

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  • Facebook Messenger dark mode now Available

    Facebook Messenger dark mode now Available

    Facebook has been widely testing Messenger’s dark mode for about a month now, and while the feature might have been available for everyone, you couldn’t enable it from the settings menu.

    The only way to enable dark mode in Messenger was to send a crescent moon emoji in any chat, an Easter Egg activation available on both Android and iOS platforms.

    Starting today, Facebook is making it easier for everyone to enable and disable the dark mode in Messenger by adding a toggle in the Settings menu. To activate the feature, simply tap your profile photo in Messenger to access settings and toggle dark mode to switch the chat from white to dark.

    According to Facebook, the new dark mode for Messenger should provide lower brightness while maintaining the same contrast and vibrancy. The new feature should also remove the glare from the phone for use in low light situations, which should allow users to take advantage of Messenger regardless of where they are.

    Facebook mentions that the dark mode is already available globally in Messenger settings, although some users may have to wait a few more days for the new feature to arrive.

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  • WhatsApp closer to protecting the retinas of Androids

    WhatsApp closer to protecting the retinas of Androids

    There are two words that when seen in print by a smartphone user, will instantly get him or her to react by installing a particular app, or checking to see if an update has been received for an app already installed. Those two words are Dark Mode. This is a feature that reverses the typical black text on white background so that the screen shows white text on a black background.

    Android Q is supposed to feature a system-wide Dark Mode in its final version, and iOS 13 is rumored to have the same thing. Google added the feature over the last year to a number of core Android apps that it updated to the retina melting Material Design. The latter features plenty of bright white in the background. Dark Mode, as we’ve just insinuated, helps protect users from a blinding white background that is intensified at night or in dark rooms. It also can save some battery life on phones with OLED screens since more black in the background means fewer energy consuming pixels need to be turned on. And many feel it just is a different and “cool” look.

    Those with the beta version of WhatsApp installed on their Android phone have received version 2.19.82 of the app. The feature, while still under development, is hidden in the latest update, and right now it is being tested on the settings pages only. The iOS version of WhatsApp already has a Dark Mode. What might not seem obvious from the screenshots is that a dark gray, and not black background is being used by WhatsApp for its Dark Mode, which means you can scratch out the additional battery life you were hoping to achieve when the new feature is fully enabled on the regular Android version of the app.

    Besides Dark Mode, the new beta update adds the name of an audio file to the bar found on the display that includes the play button.

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  • Hong Kong Fashion Week for Fall/Winter Kicks Off Today

    Hong Kong Fashion Week for Fall/Winter Kicks Off Today

    The 48th Hong Kong Fashion Week for Fall/Winter, a superb fashion sourcing platform in Asia, opened today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The four-day show (16 to 19 January), organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), features more than 1,500 exhibitors from 21 countries and regions, showcasing the latest fashion designs, garment, accessories, fabrics and sewing supplies.

    Under the theme “Hall of Games”, this year’s Fashion Week for Fall/Winter incorporates board game elements throughout the fairground to enhance the ambience.

    With healthy living becoming a priority among consumers, the demand for sportswear and fitness clothing is on the rise. To help buyers identify relevant products and suppliers, the HKTDC has added two new zones to this year’s show: Fashionable Sportswear and Denim & Casual Wear. The former showcases the hottest styles for various sports activities, including fitness and yoga while the latter focuses on trendy designs for a relaxed lifestyle.

    There are five pavilions at the fair from India, Indonesia, Japan, Macau and Pakistan. Companies from Italy, Sweden and Pakistan are fair debutants this year, bringing along names such as Italian brand Salto, displaying its eco-leather silver pleated skirt; Swedish company Yves Lansac, showcasing its colourful and fashionable watch and handbag collections; and Pakistani exhibitor Umar Garments Printing, introducing its automated screen printing technology that allows high flexibility and accuracy for producing simple to complex designs with advanced inks.

    Other product zones at the fair are: Cashmere, Wool and Thermal Clothing, Fabrics & Yarn and Men in Style. In addition, Emporium de Mode presents exquisite and distinctive brands, while the International Fashion Designers’ Showcase features collections from scintillating designers such as Mim Mak, Jean Du Che and Mountain Yam.

    As a global fashion sourcing hub in Asia, Hong Kong is a hotspot for many international trading houses and premier retailers. The annual Hong Kong Fashion Week for Fall/Winter is an important platform for buyers to discover the latest fashion products and accessories. To create more business opportunities for exhibitors, the HKTDC has arranged 90 buying missions from 43 countries and regions bringing more than 3,770 companies to the show. Among the participants are representatives of famous fashion labels, mega chain stores and distributors from both traditional and emerging markets, including Spain’s Beni Room, Japan’s H.P. France, Thailand’s Jaspal and the Chinese mainland’s The Fashion Door.

    Fashion shows showcasing creativity

    More than 20 fashion events are taking place during the four-day Hong Kong Fashion Week for Fall/Winter. In addition to trend forecasting seminars, thematic forums and networking receptions, a total of 10 fashion shows including designers’ collection and brand collection shows are being staged.

    Hong Kong Fashion Week has long been a launchpad for up-and-coming local young designers. To spotlight Hong Kong’s design talent, local fashion website FASHIONALLY presented two fashion shows today featuring the collections of 14 fashion labels by emerging local designers. Participants included established names as well as first-time participants, including Jane Ng, Yeung Chin, Kenson Tam, Winnie Chen and Key Chow.

    FASHIONALLY COLLECTION #8 featured chic womenswear for Fall/Winter 2017. It was a display of contemporary reinterpretations of feminine aesthetics. The design units that took part in the show were 112 mountainyam (Designer: Mountain Yam), FromClothingOf (Designer: Shirley Wong), phenotypsetter (Designer: Jane Ng), KEVIN HO, Lapeewee (Designer: Yannes Wong), Blind by JW (Designers: Walter Kong and Jessica Lau) and HANG (Designer: Mim Mak).

    FASHIONALLY COLLECTION #9 presented avant-garde designs for Fall/Winter 2017 that challenge the status quo for designs for both men and women. Participating brands included MODEMENT (Designer: Aries Sin), YEUNG CHIN, KENSON (Designer: Kenson Tam), SHERMAN KWAN, DEMO (Designer: Derek Chan), Winnie Witt (Designer: Winnie Chen) and Ka Wa Key (Designer: Key Chow).

    Tomorrow, local collections will be featured at the Brand Collections’ Show, including those from Ika Butoni and Artistic Palace, a house brand of Chinese Arts & Crafts. Renowned for their traditional workmanship, Chinese Arts & Crafts will display their exquisite cheongsam, traditional Chinese clothing and high-end bespoke collections.

    The Designers’ Collection Show will be held on 18 January. It will showcase the latest collections of such brands as Ophee’s (by Hong Kong designer Agnes Wong), ENGELEENA (by New Zealand designer Engeleena Padyachi), Vanilla Gate-Gala (from Thailand) and Bernadette Chan (Hong Kong designer brand).

    An ideal platform for exchange and collaboration

    To help industry players exchange and obtain market intelligence, the HKTDC has invited industry experts to share their insights and ideas on the latest trends and topics at a series of events, including trend forecasting seminars, thematic forums and networking receptions.

    Leading international fashion forecaster Fashion Snoops shared their forecast and analysis on “The Key Trend Stories for Men’s and Women’s Wear for S/S 2018”. Tomorrow, the HKTDC and The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) will host a seminar on “Knitting Tech – From Materials to Finishing”. On Wednesday, Asian e-tailer giant Zalora will explore the latest business opportunities of Omni-Channel Retailing, while The Woolmark Company, an authority in the wool industry, will host the “The Wool Lab S/S 18” seminar to discuss the leading trends for Spring/Summer 2018 and introduce purchasing guides to the best wool fabrics and yarns.

    This evening’s networking reception also provides an opportunity for industry players to expand their networks and explore collaboration opportunities.