Latest Google Camera update catches older Pixel phones up on features
This week marked thefirst Feature Dropsince the arrival of thePixel 7and 7 Pro, and accordingly, many of the changes included were exclusive to that particular phone. That said, anyone still relying on an older Pixel as their daily driver hasn’t been left out in the cold. Alongside new wallpapers and changes to some crucial settings on Android, Google is also bringing some Pixel 7 tools to the Camera app, just days afteroverhauling macro modeon its latest flagship.
Macro mode is, of course, exclusive to thePixel 7 Pro, so unsurprisingly, you won’t see that update here. But Camera 8.7 — which brings older Google phones up to date with the company’s 2022 flagships — do contain a few key changes. As spotted by9to5Google, the update is making its way out to legacy Pixels via the Play Store, bringing a handful of changes to devices as far back as the Pixel 4a series.
Since these phones are playing catch-up, it should come as no surprise that none of these are “new” features. Instead, we’ve seen them all before on the Pixel 7, which received Google Camera 8.7 as an update timed with launch day. Included in today’s patch is double-tap to zoom, something that, honestly, should’ve been in the viewfinder all along. As you might expect, double-tapping anywhere on the frame in front of you zooms in by 2x, while a second double-tap zooms out. It’s been really useful having this on the Pixel 7 for one-handed shots, and I’m happy to see it coming to older phones.
Saving photos to your private gallery is now easier than before, as pressing and holding on the gallery shortcut provides an option to switch your file destination. Meanwhile, 9to5 reports that Familiar Faces has returned to the app for the first time in seven months.
Unfortunately, Night Sight remains unchanged compared to the Pixel 7 series. Google’s latest phones allow you to adjust the exposure time manually, but on my Pixel 6, it’s still a simple on-off toggle with auto-exposure. It’s unclear whether this change will ever come to older phones — here’s hoping it’s included in Camera 8.8. For now, you can grab this update from the Play Store, or hit upAPK Mirrorto grab the latest APK. The holiday season is theperfect occasion to up your photo game, so get to snappin'.
Carriers get the upper hand
The note-taking app I should have used all along
Broader branding hints at wider paid-tier ambitions
A great choice for those looking for value
New data from Circana affirmed that Nintendo Switch 2 is still a resounding success in the United States, having now sold 2 million units
Breaking language barriers, one feed at a time
