BERLIN: No matter how good your smartphone's camera is, anything you film with it can look visually boring after a while if the viewer only sees the same shot the entire time.
This is where a relatively new Google feature for Pixel smartphones aims to help by letting you connect a second device to your phone so you can switch between two camera angles.
Using Connected Cameras, external cameras, GoPros, webcams and other Pixel smartphones (from the Pixel 6 onwards) can be linked up to the phone for recording or streaming in better quality – or simply to get better material from two devices filming different shots.
The feature can be found under Settings/Connected Devices/Connection Preferences/Connected Cameras. When a supported app is in use, a camera-selection menu is displayed.
Using the selection menu, users can add an external camera, remove one, disconnect one and switch between the smartphone camera and an external camera.
Only one external camera can be connected at any given time. Audio is recorded or live-streamed from whichever camera is currently in use.
Standards, Pixel model and app support
Important additional requirements and restrictions for using so-called remote cameras:
- The external device must support the USB Video Class (UVC) standard.
- On Pixel A-series and Pixel 10 devices, other Pixel smartphones cannot be used as an external camera.
- Connected Cameras does not automatically provide a system-wide webcam function for every app. The feature must be used through a compatible app; supported apps include Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok.
For switching to side-on views and close-ups
What does the connection offer? The following use cases are possible:
- Recording or streaming content using the external camera source, also with any filters and effects available in the app you are using.
- Switching between two perspectives – for example, in tutorials, live demos or other creative videos. The second device can provide a wide shot, side-on view or close-up, contrasting with what your smartphone is filming.
Wireless set-ups for sport and action footage
Particular possibilities arise for footage of sports events or workouts: the second device can provide a static wider shot, while the main device stays closer to the action – or is even attached directly to the athlete (eg. clipped onto their helmet or handlebars).
The feature also works wirelessly with various GoPro action-camera models via Bluetooth.
Pixel smartphones can also communicate wirelessly with one another using Android's Cross-Device Services, provided the service is enabled and both devices are signed in to the same Google account.
Google's support page provides important details and guidance on the various connection options. – dpa
