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Google Removes the Photo Sphere Mode from the Pixel 8 Camera

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Re: Google Removes the Photo Sphere Mode from the Pixel 8 Camera

#11

Post by Ajedi32 »

ydant wrote: post #4

That's a shame. I don't use it a lot, but it's contributed to my photographic memories over the years. Quality was never amazing, but it could make for some fun pictures. A somewhat related feature I miss that Google dropped a while ago is Cardboard Camera. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.vr.... It basically took panoramas that also included a short clip of sound, which made for some fun "rel…

It's also had great secondary benefits for Google Maps. I've contributed quite a few photo spheres to Google Maps over the years, which show up on Street View in areas that a Street View car would never be able to get to.

Example (not mine): https://www.google.com/maps/@49.0573911,-113.9034101,3a,75y,...

Re: Google Removes the Photo Sphere Mode from the Pixel 8 Camera

#12

Post by alok99 »

_chu1 wrote: post #5

So they're removing features now? Didn't the Pixel 7 and Fold come out this year? Why is an 8 already out? I don't think there's really been any groundbreaking new technology or chips since like, the Pixel 5. I will exclude the Pixel Fold, because it's at least a new and interesting design, albeit Google not really doing anything special with the foldable design from what I've heard. The problem with the Pixel line i…

The Pixel 7 and 7 Pro came out last year. The 7a came out this year, which is the same pattern they've used for the past few generations. As far as the yearly cadence, well, that's what everyone does now. I agree that a couple years between generations would be better, but that doesn't seem to be the prevailing opinion.

Re: Google Removes the Photo Sphere Mode from the Pixel 8 Camera

#13

Post by andybak »

ydant wrote: post #4

That's a shame. I don't use it a lot, but it's contributed to my photographic memories over the years. Quality was never amazing, but it could make for some fun pictures. A somewhat related feature I miss that Google dropped a while ago is Cardboard Camera. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.vr.... It basically took panoramas that also included a short clip of sound, which made for some fun "rel…

I'm still using Cardboard Camera. It installed on my new phone when I set up it (probably because it was on the previous device).

Have you tried grabbing the apk from somewhere?

Re: Google Removes the Photo Sphere Mode from the Pixel 8 Camera

#14

Post by xnx »

ydant wrote: post #4

That's a shame. I don't use it a lot, but it's contributed to my photographic memories over the years. Quality was never amazing, but it could make for some fun pictures. A somewhat related feature I miss that Google dropped a while ago is Cardboard Camera. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.vr.... It basically took panoramas that also included a short clip of sound, which made for some fun "rel…

Cardboard Camera was a great toy. It's amazing how much more immersive that type of capture can be.

Interesting to note that panoramas in the latest Google Camera app still have the option to record audio.

Re: Google Removes the Photo Sphere Mode from the Pixel 8 Camera

#15

Post by xnx »

andybak wrote: post #13
ydant wrote: post #4

That's a shame. I don't use it a lot, but it's contributed to my photographic memories over the years. Quality was never amazing, but it could make for some fun pictures. A somewhat related feature I miss that Google dropped a while ago is Cardboard Camera. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.vr.... It basically took panoramas that also included a short clip of sound, which made for some fun "rel…

I'm still using Cardboard Camera. It installed on my new phone when I set up it (probably because it was on the previous device). Have you tried grabbing the apk from somewhere?

I think you can still get it right from the Google Play app store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.sam...

Re: Google Removes the Photo Sphere Mode from the Pixel 8 Camera

#17

Post by OliveMate »

It was never perfect, but it was a great niche for storing memories of certain places in a way that pictures or a normal panorama couldn't do. That faux-3D scroll really helped capture -something- of the moment which brings everything back when you look at it.

Re: Google Removes the Photo Sphere Mode from the Pixel 8 Camera

#18

Post by hospitalJail »

dmitrygr wrote: post #3

Used it a lot. It was the only thing I missed after switching to iOS. Google has successfully made sure that I now have no reason to switch back.

Security seems like a pretty decent reason to switch. I stopped letting apple products on my home network out of Pegasus fears.

Re: Google Removes the Photo Sphere Mode from the Pixel 8 Camera

#20

Post by ncann »

nkozyra wrote: post #19
sva_ wrote: post #2

It was more of a gimmick with pretty subpar results anyways.

I was always surprised how well it worked. I definitely didn't use it often but every time I did it came out pretty cool and without glitches or artifacts.

The result is usually pretty good when it's outdoor. It's worse when it's indoor, but that's how it generally is with any 3D panorama/photosphere app.
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