One of the most exciting additions to Apple’s iPhone 16 smartphone lineup was Camera Control.
This feature, in the form of a dedicated camera button also on the newer iPhone 17 series, merges Apple’s hardware design with advanced software capabilities to make getting the perfect shot that little bit easier.
Here’s everything you need to know about Camera Control:
What is Camera Control?
On the surface, Camera Control is a dedicated camera button, but dig a little deeper and you’ll soon realise there’s a lot more going on that makes Camera Control a genuinely innovative addition to newer iPhones.
The new button integrates a tactile switch for a satisfying click, a high-precision force sensor for light press gestures, and a capacitive sensor for touch interactions. This combination allows users to instantly access the camera, take photos, and start video recording with ease.
Gone are the days of fumbling to unlock your phone or open the camera app. With Camera Control, you can quickly launch the camera with just a click. It’s similar to double-pressing the power button on an Android phone to bypass the lock screen and automatically open the camera app.
The Camera Control button’s tactile feedback offers a familiar, satisfying feel, while the light press gesture enables users to interact with the camera in new ways.
You see, the Camera Control doesn’t stop at just snapping pictures. A new camera preview feature helps users frame their shots more effectively. By sliding your finger across the Camera Control button, you can adjust various camera settings, such as zoom, exposure, and depth of field.
Does Camera Control work with third-party apps?
The Camera Control button is designed to work with third-party apps, such as Snapchat, allowing developers to tap into this new hardware and create unique camera experiences.
This opens up exciting possibilities for social media platforms and photography apps to enhance their user interfaces and make content creation even more accessible.
Camera Control can also unlock even more powerful features thanks to AI. With a press and hold, you can quickly access information about objects and places.
For example, you could walk past a restaurant, press Camera Control, and instantly pull up its hours, ratings, or reviews. Or maybe scan a flyer to add an event directly to your calendar.
AI-driven object recognition can also allow users to identify dog breeds, plants, landmarks, and more.
Apple is also opening up Camera Control as a gateway to third-party AI/Search tools. Whether you want to search Google for where to buy an item you’ve just snapped a picture of, or get quick problem-solving assistance from ChatGPT.
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