Microsoft Tests New Windows Camera Update to Enable Future Innovation

Redmond today started testing a new update for the Windows Camera update in Windows 10. The company is making some important changes to the core of the app to enable future innovation, and introduce some UX changes. The update is quite major, which is why it’s being tested with Windows Insiders fast, but it’ll be pushed out to everyone later on.

In a blog post, Microsoft said that the company made some core architecture changes to the app to remove some cluttered, complex parts of the app behind the scenes which made it difficult for the company to update the app and new features. The architectural changes will now allow the engineers to iterate faster, enabling them to introduce new features more quickly — at least according to the firm.

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The architectural changes are already allowing Microsoft to introduce some neat changes to the app. First up, it can now work with multiple attached cameras simultaneously, letting you use multiple cameras at the same time. User experience wise, it can now remember the last camera and scene used when you start up the app, comes with a more reliable brightness slider, and features more photo resolution and aspect ratios for videos, reports Aggiornamenti Lumia. The architectural changes did require Microsoft to get rid of some features, including the swipe gesture on the capture button to show all sliders, and the ability to switch between scenes through the capture button. Not too much of a big deal if the changes do, indeed, make way for more features going forward.

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Conversation 17 comments

  • ponsaelius

    30 January, 2018 - 6:01 pm

    <p>Given Microsoft has no meaningful mobile platform, where you need a decent camera, I dont see it matters much.</p><p><br></p><p>Of course a better camera is good so why not.</p>

    • VancouverNinja

      Premium Member
      30 January, 2018 - 7:53 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#241628"><em>In reply to ponsaelius:</em></a></blockquote><p>It's obvious that they are setting it up for a new Mobile device. Pretty cool.</p>

  • thea2_

    Premium Member
    30 January, 2018 - 6:42 pm

    <p>The ability to have more than one cam set up in the OS without a special app sounds interesting.</p>

  • glenn8878

    30 January, 2018 - 9:55 pm

    <p>How about making it easier to download pictures from my iPhone. Something went wrong. Windows locks my iPhone out or shuts down the connection prematurely. Windows is horribly buggy. </p>

    • maxpayi

      31 January, 2018 - 5:03 am

      <blockquote><a href="#241657"><em>In reply to glenn8878:</em></a></blockquote><p>Oh, you've got some downvotes :)) Oh my some MS fanbabies were offended because you dared to call windows buggy :)).</p>

      • RM

        31 January, 2018 - 8:27 am

        <blockquote><a href="#241707"><em>In reply to maxpayi:</em></a> How about stay on topic. That comment had nothing to do with the camera app on Windows. It is not like I commented on the most insecure program ever created on Windows (iTunes). ;)</blockquote><p><br></p>

    • sue

      31 January, 2018 - 6:50 am

      <blockquote><a href="#241657"><em>In reply to glenn8878:</em></a> I am not experiencing that. Are you sure it is Windows and not your iPhone?</blockquote><p><br></p>

    • bluvg

      01 February, 2018 - 8:54 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#241657"><em>In reply to glenn8878:</em></a></blockquote><p><br></p><p>Never had a problem transferring photos from a Windows Phone. With Apple's awful history around cross-platform support–plus a selfish incentive to convince you to buy more of their gear–why not point the blame towards the iPhone rather than Windows?</p><p><br></p>

  • Pargon

    Premium Member
    31 January, 2018 - 1:54 am

    <p>Microsoft has hinted about a cellular or wifi service, I can't quite remember which. A new camera for a new mobile device is dead in the water, for my family at least, if they don't introduce their own version of Google Project Fi. Everyone I know who has it absolutely loves it, it's a total game changer!</p><p><br></p><p>I really loved my 2 windows phones, great cameras at the time. But mobile has evolved from just needing a good camera, need the extremely cheap domestic data and international travel option as well.</p>

    • chrisrut

      Premium Member
      31 January, 2018 - 12:52 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#241693"><em>In reply to Pargon:</em></a></blockquote><p>Yes – it was quite some time ago – I often wondered if MS wasn't preparing to launch their own network – perhaps in concert with or as part of Skype – to provide a full-fledged communication system. For example, they might offer "always connected" services in concert with a VoIP and POTs portal. That would be very interesting.</p><p>That camera thing is interesting too – I could speculate all day. Here's a pie in the sky idea: allow cameras to remote to each other as instances in one OS – multi-viewpoints as compared with multi-tasking. Then integrate these into a; multi-camera linear story-lines, or b; construct 3D scenes and objects. There: I said it was pie in the sky…</p>

  • timwakeling

    31 January, 2018 - 3:42 am

    <p>What does Windows need a camera app for? Is holding your laptop above your head at concerts now a thing? :o</p>

    • RM

      31 January, 2018 - 8:24 am

      <blockquote><a href="#241704"><em>In reply to timwakeling:</em></a>If you own an iPad, then the answer is Yes! Always cracks me up when someone with an iPad tries to take pictures in public; talk about awkward.</blockquote><p><br></p>

  • maxpayi

    31 January, 2018 - 5:02 am

    <p>what's the use of so many features of this app without a mobile presence?? none</p>

  • Jules Wombat

    31 January, 2018 - 7:25 am

    <p>err umm without Windows Mobile/Phone what is the point here ? – I am confused what use is a "Camera App" in Windows 10? </p>

    • Tony Barrett

      31 January, 2018 - 12:29 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#241714"><em>In reply to Jules_Wombat:</em></a></blockquote><p>My thoughts exactly. A camera app with no mobile solution to support it. Strange.</p>

  • allanwith

    31 January, 2018 - 10:20 am

    <p>How about this as being a tiny step in preparation for the rumored Andromeda device?</p>

    • VancouverNinja

      Premium Member
      31 January, 2018 - 10:38 am

      <blockquote><a href="#241765"><em>In reply to allanwith:</em></a></blockquote><p>Totally. This is not for a Surface Book, Surface Pro or PC. It's not for HoloLens or Xbox or Surface Hub. So where does it leave us? ;-)</p>

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