The Camera Control feature on the iPhone 16 received a mix of feedback, including mine. However, with the release of iOS 18.2, the feature has been significantly enhanced, realizing its true potential.
Visual intelligence reveals a new camera capability
The most significant enhancement to Camera Control in iOS 18.2 is the introduction of visual intelligence.
By long-pressing the Camera Control, your iPhone’s camera can enter a special mode that reveals essential information about your surroundings and provides shortcuts for action.
Here’s how Apple explains it:
Users can press and hold Camera Control to access restaurant hours or ratings as they walk by, add an event from a flyer to their calendar, quickly identify a dog breed, and more. Camera Control will also act as a gateway for third-party tools with specialized expertise, allowing users to search on Google for purchasing options or utilize ChatGPT’s problem-solving capabilities.
My colleague Fernando created a video showcasing 10 unique applications of visual intelligence. I highly recommend watching it to see the upcoming features for your iPhone 16 in iOS 18.2.
Speedier camera launcher than ever
Another major improvement in iOS 18.2 is the speed at which you can launch the Camera app using Camera Control.
Under Settings ⇾ Display and Brightness, there is a new toggle for Camera Control: ‘Require Screen On.’
By default, iOS 18.2 has this toggle enabled, allowing Camera Control to function as it traditionally has. If you turn it off, you can launch the camera even if the iPhone’s screen is off.
This essentially eliminates a step, enabling you to take a picture more swiftly. No more pressing Camera Control to wake the device and then again to start the Camera (or needing to tap the display first to wake it).
Simply take your iPhone, press Camera Control, and you’ll be ready to snap a photo.
Additional features and settings
iOS 18.2 also introduces a two-stage shutter feature as demonstrated by Apple in September.
Within Settings ⇾ Camera ⇾ Camera Control, there’s a new AE/AF Lock toggle.
Activating this allows a light press on Camera Control to lock both focus and exposure, enabling you to press lightly to secure those parameters before pressing harder to capture your photo.
Additionally, there’s a new option in Settings ⇾ Accessibility ⇾ Camera Control where you can adjust the speed of a double-click action. You can select from three settings: Default, Slow, and Slower.
On that note, perhaps in iOS 18.3 Apple could streamline all Camera Control settings into one easy-to-access screen? As it stands, I’ve identified three different locations to locate these various settings.
Wrap-Up of iOS 18.2 Camera Control
The Camera Control in iOS 18.2 is the feature Apple clearly intended to launch with the iPhone 16 but couldn’t achieve at that time. It enhances the functionality of the new dedicated button significantly, transforming it into the compelling feature it was designed to be.
Have you tried Camera Control in iOS 18.2? What are your thoughts on the new updates? Share your opinions in the comments below.
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