Switching to dark mode on smartphones may not extend battery life as widely believed, according to a new study by the BBC’s Research & Development team. The research found that most users increase their screen brightness when using dark mode, canceling out any potential energy savings.

The study revealed that 80% of participants who switched to a dark background then adjusted their phone’s brightness upwards, resulting in faster battery drain. In contrast, those using standard light mode were less likely to adjust screen settings, maintaining lower brightness levels and preserving battery life.

This real-world behavior contradicts previous lab-based studies that showed dark mode could significantly reduce power consumption. For example, a 2021 Purdue University study found that dark mode could cut energy use by 42% at full brightness. Similarly, Google engineers reported up to 63% power savings on OLED screens using dark mode. However, those tests did not account for users increasing brightness levels in daily use.

Zak Datson, an engineer with the BBC’s Research & Development team, emphasized the importance of considering real-world habits when evaluating energy-saving tips. “Some of the most common recommendations are overly simplistic,” he explained. “In the case of dark mode, some people end up using more energy.”

The study concluded that the most reliable way to conserve smartphone battery life is to reduce screen brightness. Lowering brightness can cut energy consumption in half compared to using a phone at maximum settings.

The research is part of the BBC’s broader sustainability campaign, which aims to reduce the corporation’s carbon emissions by 90% by 2050. The campaign also highlights the environmental impact of electronic devices, such as televisions and smartphones, while noting that travel is the largest carbon emitter in film production.

Ultimately, the study suggests that while dark mode might still offer energy savings for users who maintain lower brightness settings, simply dimming the screen remains the most effective way to maximize battery life.

In a dramatic turn of events, Nvidia, the global leader in AI and graphics processing units, saw its market value plummet by a staggering $500 billion following the rise of Chinese AI firm DeepSeek. The unexpected surge in DeepSeek’s innovative AI solutions has sent shockwaves through the tech industry, causing a significant downturn in shares of major tech companies.

DeepSeek, a relatively new player in the AI space, has rapidly gained traction with its cutting-edge technologies, challenging established giants like Nvidia. Investors, wary of the shifting competitive landscape, have begun reallocating resources, leading to a sharp decline in Nvidia’s stock value.

The ripple effect has impacted the broader tech sector, with shares of other leading firms also experiencing volatility. Analysts suggest that DeepSeek’s emergence signals a new era of competition in AI, potentially reshaping the global tech hierarchy.

As the industry braces for further disruptions, all eyes are on how Nvidia and other tech giants will respond to this evolving challenge.

Kevin O’Leary, widely known for his role as “Mr. Wonderful” on the American series Shark Tank, has announced plans to join billionaire Frank McCourt’s consortium in a high-stakes effort to acquire the popular video platform TikTok. The move comes as the Chinese-owned app faces mounting pressure, with a looming deadline of January 19 for its parent company, ByteDance, to divest TikTok’s U.S. operations or face a potential ban.

In the spring of 2024, President Joe Biden signed legislation mandating that ByteDance sell off TikTok’s U.S. business by January 19, 2025. Failure to comply would result in the removal of the app from U.S. app stores and a ban on accessing it via web browsers. TikTok has challenged the law, asserting that it infringes upon U.S. First Amendment rights and amounts to censorship. However, proponents of the ban argue that TikTok poses a national security threat due to its potential ties with Chinese authorities and concerns over user data sharing.

McCourt, the founder of Project Liberty and executive chairman of McCourt Global, revealed in December that he is assembling a group of investors for the “People’s Bid for TikTok.” The consortium’s goal is to take control of TikTok’s U.S. operations while ensuring that users’ data is protected and returned to them. McCourt claims that verbal commitments of up to $20 billion have already been pledged for the acquisition.

O’Leary, who is now part of the group, shared his views on the effort in an interview with Fox News on Monday. He emphasized that the bid is not only about purchasing TikTok’s U.S. assets but also about safeguarding the privacy of the app’s 170 million American users. “It’s about empowering creators and small businesses. And it’s about building a platform that prioritizes people over algorithms,” O’Leary said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter).

The bid may require collaboration with President-elect Donald Trump, who has taken steps to delay the ban and has expressed an interest in preserving TikTok. Trump is seeking a Supreme Court review of the ban, which is scheduled for consideration on Friday, just before he is inaugurated as president the following day.

As the January 19 deadline approaches, the pressure on ByteDance to divest TikTok’s U.S. operations is mounting. Neither Project Liberty nor O’Leary’s representatives responded to requests for comment on Tuesday.

The outcome of this high-profile bid could have significant implications for TikTok’s future in the U.S., as well as for the broader debate over privacy and national security in the digital age.