The new feature is rolling out to the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL and will allow users to capture HDR+ images from Instagram, Snapchat and WhatsApp
Google is updating the Pixel Visual Core on its Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL (review) smartphones. The update now enables third-party apps like Instagram, Snapchat and WhatsApp to make use of the Visual Core for capturing images using HDR+ technology. To recall, the company activated the Visual Core imaging chip on the Pixel 2/Pixel 2 XL in November last year with the Android 8.1 beta update.
Google details the new update in their blog post stating, “oday we’re turning on Pixel Visual Core for Pixel 2 users—a custom designed co-processor for Pixel 2. Using computational photography and machine learning (which powers Pixel’s HDR+ technology), Pixel Visual Core improves image quality in apps that take photos. This means it’ll be easier to shoot and share amazing photos on Instagram, WhatsApp, and Snapchat, along with many other apps which use the Pixel 2 camera. All you need to do is take the photo and Pixel 2 will do the rest. Your photos will be bright, detailed, and clear.”
The Pixel Visual Core is made for image processing ,while consuming less power to save battery, says the company. It is an octa-core image processing unit (IPU) which boasts of processing HDR photos at up to 5x faster speeds. It features a single cortex-A53 core with 512 arithmetic logic units. Further, the HDR+ mode was already enabled in the default camera app of the Pixel 2 series smartphones. You can read more about it here.
The new update will be bundled with the February update for the Pixel 2 series smartphones, which will be rolled out over the next few days. It will also bring some other software improvements. The company has also promised to bring new Augmented Reality (AR) Stickers themed around winter sports later ths week.
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