Key Points:
- Android 15’s potential addition of the Eyes Free videography extension could revolutionize video stabilization for third-party camera apps.
- Currently, Android’s Camera2 Extensions API supports five types of extensions, mainly for photo capture, leaving video stabilization largely untouched for third-party apps.
- Even if OEMs don’t implement the new extension, Android 15 might introduce a software implementation accessible to third-party apps, ensuring wider availability of advanced video stabilization.
If you’re not satisfied with the camera app bundled with your Android device, fret not; a plethora of third-party camera apps await your exploration. These alternatives often promise advanced controls and filters absent in stock apps, yet they may lack some essential features. However, the upcoming Android 15 update might bridge this gap by introducing the Eyes Free videography extension, potentially revolutionizing video stabilization for third-party camera apps.
Behind the scenes, every camera app on Android, whether native or third-party, relies on the Camera2 API. While the API has facilitated significant advancements, video stabilization has remained a challenge, especially for non-native apps. As of Android 14, the API supports five extensions primarily tailored for photo capture, leaving video stabilization predominantly in the domain of OEMs’ stock apps.
The new Eyes Free videography extension, hinted at in the Android 15 update, appears poised to change this narrative. Unlike its predecessors, this extension is designed explicitly for video capture, promising to lock onto and stabilize focal points during recording. If implemented, it could empower third-party apps like Snapchat with advanced stabilization capabilities, enhancing user experience across the board.
Despite the potential, adoption hinges on OEMs’ willingness to integrate the new extension into their devices. While some manufacturers like Samsung have historically embraced such advancements, others, like Google, have been more selective. Nonetheless, Android 15 might offer a workaround through a default software implementation accessible via settings. Though this may not match OEM-tailored solutions in quality, it ensures broader access to advanced features for all users.
For third-party developers, this represents a significant opportunity to level the playing field. Crafting universal implementations of features like night mode and HDR has long been a challenge, given the diversity of Android devices. The Camera2 Extensions API addresses this by granting access to OEM-grade algorithms, fostering innovation and competition in the app ecosystem.
In conclusion, Android 15’s potential inclusion of the Eyes Free videography extension heralds a new era of video stabilization for third-party camera apps. Whether through OEM integration or default software implementation, this update promises to enhance the capabilities of Android’s camera ecosystem, benefitting users and developers alike.
