The Camera Control feature on the iPhone 16 had a varied reception, including my own. However, with the iOS 18.2 update, this feature has seen significant enhancements, aligning it more closely with its intended purpose.
Visual Intelligence Unlocks a New Camera Superpower
One of the most significant improvements to Camera Control in iOS 18.2 is the addition of visual intelligence.
By pressing and holding the Camera Control, your iPhone can enter a unique mode that provides essential information about your surroundings, along with shortcuts for taking action based on that data.
Apple describes this feature as:
Users can press and hold Camera Control to access information such as restaurant hours or ratings as they walk by, add calendar events from promotional flyers, identify dog breeds instantly, and more. Camera Control will also connect to third-party tools with specialized functions, like searching Google to locate where to purchase items or leveraging ChatGPT’s capabilities for problem-solving.
My colleague Fernando has created a video showcasing ten diverse applications for visual intelligence. I highly recommend watching it to get a glimpse of what’s on the way for your iPhone 16 with iOS 18.2.
Faster Camera Launcher Than Before
Another notable enhancement in iOS 18.2 is the ability to launch the Camera app more swiftly using Camera Control.
In Settings ⇾ Display and Brightness, you’ll find a new toggle labeled ‘Require Screen On’ for Camera Control.
iOS 18.2 has this toggle enabled by default, allowing Camera Control to operate as it has traditionally. However, switching it off lets you launch the camera even with the iPhone’s display turned off.
This effectively streamlines the process, enabling quicker image capturing. No longer will you need to tap Camera Control to wake your device and then again to open the Camera (or touch your display first to wake it).
Simply pick up your iPhone, tap Camera Control, and your camera will be ready.
More New Features and Settings
iOS 18.2 also introduces a two-stage shutter feature, which Apple showcased in September.
Within Settings ⇾ Camera ⇾ Camera Control, there’s a new toggle for AE/AF Lock.
Activating this allows a light press on Camera Control to lock both focus and exposure, with a firmer press capturing your image.
Additionally, a new option in Settings ⇾ Accessibility ⇾ Camera Control allows you to adjust the speed of a double-click action. You can choose from three settings: Default, Slow, and Slower.
On that note, perhaps in iOS 18.3 Apple could consolidate all Camera Control settings into a single screen? Currently, it requires navigating to three different locations to adjust these features.
iOS 18.2 Camera Control Wrap-Up
The Camera Control in iOS 18.2 is the enhancement that Apple likely intended to launch with the iPhone 16, but couldn’t at the time. It significantly elevates the utility of the new dedicated button, making it the standout feature that it was always intended to be.
Have you tried using Camera Control in iOS 18.2? What are your thoughts on the updates? Share your opinions in the comments below.
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