One of the biggest rounds of applause at Made by Google 2018 was for Night Sight on the Pixel 3. The feature is rolling out starting today with a handful of options in Google Camera 6.1.021, which also reveals continued work on a Time Lapse mode.
About APK Insight: In this ‘APK Insight’ post, we’ve decompiled the latest version of an application that Google uploaded to the Play Store. When we decompile these files (called APKs, in the case of Android apps), we’re able to see various lines of code within that hint at possible future features. Keep in mind that Google may or may not ever ship these features, and our interpretation of what they are may be imperfect. We’ll try to enable those that are closer to being finished, however, to show you how they’ll look in the case that they do ship. With that in mind, read on.
Night Sight
Codenamed “cuttlefish,” Night Sight can be manually accessed from the “More” tab, though the main viewfinder will surface a suggestion chip to open and “Try Night Sight” if the current scene is dark enough.
This mode includes a shutter button featuring the “Night Sight” icon, a button to flip between the front/rear camera, and gallery at the bottom. At the top, users can set a timer or return back to the main camera.
<string name=”cuttlefish_name”>Night Sight</string>
<string name=”longexposure_suggestion_text”>Try Night Sight</string>
After clicking the shutter, Google Camera will advise users to “Hold still” for the best results, with a circular indicator noting capture progress.
<string name=”cuttlefish_hold_steady_advice”>Hold phone steady</string>
Google Photos and the gallery will mark Night Sight photos with a crescent moon icon in the upper-right corner.
Focus options
With “Focus options,” users can select Autofocus, Near, or Far when using Night Sight with either the front or rear camera. Only available on the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, this setting does not appear on older Pixel devices.
<string name=”af_option_tooltip”>Focus options</string>
Face brightening
Meanwhile, when using Night Sight with the front camera, a “Face brightening” feature allows users to turn on the Pixel’s equivalent of a front-facing flash. This brightens the Google Camera’s UI to better illuminate your face.
<string name=”face_brightening_off_desc”>Face brightening off</string>
<string name=”face_brightening_on_desc”>Face brightening on</string>
<string name=”face_brightening_options_desc”>Face brightening options</string>
Time Lapse
Google Camera 6.1.021 is also working on a Time Lapse mode cheekily codenamed “Cheetah.” The functionality would presumably allow users to hold their phone still and capture a changing scene over time. It’s unclear whether this feature is close to launch as the latest version of app works to obscure the true nature and name of the functionality.
Version 6.1.021
<string name=”mode_cheetah”>Cheetah</string>
<string name=”mode_cheetah_desc”>Switch to Cheetah Mode</string>
Version 6.1.013
<string name=”mode_timelapse”>Time Lapse</string>
<string name=”mode_timelapse_desc”>Switch to Cheetah Mode</string>
How to update?
Google Camera 6.1.021 is rolling out now via the Play Store. We do not post APKs to download directly given the legal challenges associated with copyright and possibility of removal. Meanwhile, that model is perilous given Android App Bundles and Google Play’s Dynamic Delivery.
Thanks to JEB Decompiler, which some APK Insight teardowns benefit from.
Dylan contributed to this article
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