Microsoft patents theater 'silent' mode for phones

Have you ever wished all the smartphones in the movie theater could automatically go silent and dark? It might happen sooner than you think.

Microsoft has patented what it calls "inconspicuous mode," which makes smartphones automatically go silent and dark while in a theater.

It means sounds are muted, the screen only glows faintly, there are no notifications and the time shows up in large numbers that are easier to glance at.

Microsoft says this mode could be tailored to your preferences and would also be automatic, meaning your phone could check your calendar or recent phone purchases of tickets to know when to go quiet.