Earlier this month, Google launched its Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro smartphones. These devices come pre-installed with the tech giant’s proprietary camera app, which for a long time, has been exclusive to the Pixel devices. This app, previously known as the Google Camera, has undergone a rebranding on the Play Store.
The renamed app, now called “Pixel Camera”, emphasizes the exclusivity of the platform. Beyond the mere change in name, Google has also updated the application’s description.
Previously, Google Camera’s description read: “Never miss a moment with Google Camera, capture stunning photos and videos with features like Portrait, Night Sight, and video stabilization modes.”
The new “Pixel Camera” description states: “Never miss a moment with the fully redesigned Pixel Camera, capture stunning photos and videos with features such as Portrait, Night Sight, Time Lapse, and Cinematic Blur.”
Pixel Camera: App Compatibility Details
Google also delineated the download requirements for the app. The latest version of Pixel Camera operates exclusively on Pixel devices running Android 14 and newer. Moreover, the latest version of Pixel Camera for Wear OS functions only on Wear OS 3 devices (and newer) connected to Pixel phones. However, not all features are available across all these devices. Currently, devices like the Pixel Fold, Pixel Tablet, and Pixel 7 Pro operate on version 9.0 of the app. Google has initiated the rollout of version 9.1 for the newest Pixel 8 series.
This renaming endeavor aids Google in spotlighting exclusive “Pixel 8 Pro features,” such as the 50-megapixel high-resolution mode and professional control elements. The company introduced the “Pixel Camera” trademark during the annual I/O 2023 developer conference held in May.
Pixel Camera now joins the lineup of other Pixel-branded applications, which includes Pixel Call Assist, Pixel Speech (for recording), and Pixel Safe (encompassing VPN, Car Crash Detection, etc.)
