Your Android smartphone could be getting a popular iOS 16 camera feature
DeviceAsWebcam might be Google’s version of Continuity Camera
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Usually, Android devices are the testbed for innovative smartphone features thatAppledesigners eventually improve upon and incorporate into their devices; but it seems that, for a change,Googlewants to adopt a popular iOS 16 feature for an upcoming version of its OS.
AtWWDC2022 Apple unveiled aniOS 16andmacOS Ventura 13update calledContinuity Camera. Rather than relying on your Mac’s inbuilt webcam, you could instead use one of thebest iPhonesrunning the latest OS, and take advantage of its souped-up cameras, microphone, and video effects.
Third-party apps could allow thebest Android phonesto be used in a similar way, but according toGoogle Open Source Project changelogs, it appears that a feature similar to Continuity Camera could become a baked-in feature for a future version of Android (via Mishaal Rahman onTwitter).
Currently named ‘DeviceAsWebcam’, it would (as you can probably guess from the name) turn “an android device into a webcam.” However, little else is known about the feature right now.
It does appear that it will allow for a wired USB connection – which suggests you won’t be limited to one computer OS, as is the case with Continuity Camera – though it’s unclear if Continuity Camera features like Desk View (which lets you see your desk and face at the same time), or Centre Stage and Studio Light (which keep you in the shot, and make you appear brighter than the background respectively) will appear in the Android iteration.
What’s more, there’s no guarantee we’ll see DeviceAsWebcam appear anytime soon. While it’s certainly possible that it will launch with Android 14, depending on how far into development the tool is, we could see it delayed until Android 15, which is at least a year away, or even Android 16.
We’ll have to wait and see what Google announces at Google I/O 2023 – it’s big annual developer’s conference, which we expect will be in May – but be on the lookout for DeviceAsWebcam among the list of new tools headed to our Android smartphones.
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Hamish is a Senior Staff Writer for TechRadar and you’ll see his name appearing on articles across nearly every topic on the site from smart home deals to speaker reviews to graphics card news and everything in between. He uses his broad range of knowledge to help explain the latest gadgets and if they’re a must-buy or a fad fueled by hype. Though his specialty is writing about everything going on in the world of virtual reality and augmented reality.
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