The Android operating system’s strength lies in its versatility and flexibility. On that note, buyers can customize their Android smartphone however they deem fit. For instance, you might not like the stock launcher that comes with your device. Well, you can slap a third-party launcher like Nova Launcher to spruce up your home screen. Similarly, users can download and install various third-party camera apps on their phones, too. And, if recent reports are anything to go by, Android 15 could offer better video stabilization for camera apps.
Android 15 may offer a new Camera2 Extension API for better video stabilization
Most third-party camera apps bring impressive features, such as the ability to shoot in RAW and more. At the same time, these camera apps often lack support for some basic features otherwise enabled in the stock camera app. As such, smartphone vendors usually bundle some common features as extensions to be used by third-party camera apps. Smartphones that boot Android 14 majorly offer five Camera2 API extensions, including Auto, Bokeh, Face retouch, HDR, and Night.
The Auto extension allows a third-party camera app to adjust to a scene. On the other hand, the Bokeh and Face retouch extensions let third-party camera apps use better background/foreground separation tech and beautification features. The HDR extension paves the way for more vivid photos. The Night extension, often enabled on Pixel devices, enhances low-light photos snapped from a third-party camera app. It is evident from their descriptions that these camera extensions only improve the photo-taking capabilities of a third-party camera app.
The scenery could soon change with Android 15, though. Per reports, Android 15 could support a sixth extension, namely Eyes Free videography, to better video stabilization in third-party camera apps. The extension purportedly ‘locks and stabilizes’ a region or an object and can be accessed by third-party camera apps like Snapchat that use the Camera2 API. By now, we should add that not all smartphone manufacturers enable these extensions.
Thankfully, Android 15 could implement these extensions on a software level, and users will be able to access the same by going into their smartphone’s ‘More security & privacy’ setting. All said and done, Android 15 is shaping up to be a promising update for budding videographers. Do you use any third-party camera apps? Let us know in the comments below.
