Google Earth Gains Unactivated Dark Mode In The Latest Update

A recent APK teardown of the Google Earth application — specifically, version 9.3.nineteen.viii — suggests that Google could implement Dark Mode in the app very shortly. Performed past XDA Developers, the teardown showcases several tell-tale strings. Those are tucked in the underlying code and aren't activated past default merely were activated manually to give some indication of how the new theme will look in the app.

In particular, the source notes that strings are added for "Night theme" settings. Those showcase the same options constitute in other apps made by Google. So users will be able to elect to continue the light theme or move over to the nighttime theming. Additionally, users will be able to follow the organisation settings besides. The code explicitly points to the mode equally a style to "reduce glare" and "improve night viewing."

Dark Way in Google Earth won't have as big an impact as other apps

Besides falling in line with Dark Mode back up in other Google apps, the search giant has opted for night gray coloration. That'due south as opposed to the deep black color used in some apps and better suited for AMOLED display panels. Presumably, that choice was chosen to account for the fact that not every mobile user is accessing the app via a high-end display. But it likewise keeps things consistent with Android 10'southward system-level dark fashion.

Of course, that doesn't mean this change will necessarily be easy to spot when it arrives. While the settings menu in Google Earth is typically white in color, the residual of the UI is predominantly taken up by satellite images. Otherwise, photographs and renders based on satellite images are used. Typically, deeper blackness colors are used for the notification and navigation bars in the World app too.

So the majority of the interface volition remain the same.

There are a few other interactive elements that crop up when users interact with the 3D map also. For instance, pulling up from the lesser or borer a spot on the earth calls forward in-depth details on material pattern-inspired cards. And so those elements volition undoubtedly be themeable in Google'due south deep greyness color likewise.

When might this make it for end-users?

Now, Google has been moderately pacing itself when it comes to bringing Dark Mode support for all of its apps. It'southward namesake app, the Google app, only just received the theming back in May. Information technology has, conversely, besides been faster than some other exceedingly popular apps such as those from Facebook and eBay. But that doesn't necessarily hateful this will arrive on the user side in the immediate futurity either.

Given that there aren't many elements that demand to be changed over and that Google has had plenty of exercise implementing the modify though, it volition arrive sooner than later. In full general, the turnover time betwixt these features appearing in an APK and on the user-side has been quick. Typically that'due south timescales measured in weeks rather than months.