Google has updated its standalone camera app for Android devices to include an earlier feature, which allowed snapping photos while recording videos.
Google, the biggest internet search company, has updated its camera app with a noticeable change that brings back the ability to capture still images while recording a video. This feature was discontinued earlier in the Google Camera app. The ability to take snapshots in the middle of a video recording did not make it to the mobile app when it was launched in Google Play Store almost a month ago.
Now, it appears that the web giant realized its error and quickly rolled out a minor update to its mobile app. The update, which brings the app version to 2.1.042, mainly focuses on reintroducing the ability to snap photos amid recording videos from a smartphone. The latest addition is a welcome to the app users, who have been treated with a slew of new camera functions that stock cameras lack.
The Google Camera app features modes like Photo Sphere, Lens Blur and Panorama. With the update, Google has also addressed the lags with the lens Blur mode, which adds a DSLR-like effect by blurring the background and focusing the subject. According to a report from Phone Arena, users experienced problem with the Lens Blur mode where the ring didn't disappear after taking a picture using the app. The bug fix also resolves the force shut down of the app.
Overall the recently-launched camera app for non-Google smartphones is more polished. Google will follow the standard procedure of rolling out the update in stages, but users can download the APK file for the update to activate the changes, Phandroid reports. The app only works with Android devices running Google's latest 4.4 KitKat or above.
The official Google Camera app is available on Play Store for free download.