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Google Camera and Android Wear demonstrates potential for the platform

Google Camera and Android Wear demonstrates potential for the platform
Christopher Park

Christopher Park

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Android Wear is still trying to find its purpose in the lives of those who own it. It’s most basic use is as a separate screen for notifications, but Android Wear actually has a lot of potential for other functions. When Google last updated Google Camera for Android, it added a small extra feature: a remote shutter option. More than its actual function though, it appears that the remote shutter feature actually demonstrates the potential of Android Wear for other services.

Controlling Google Camera remotely

The remote shutter option lets you activate the shutter for Google Camera on compatible devices by tapping on the face of Android Wear, although it only works with standard photos and doesn’t support video recording, Photo Sphere, Panorama, or Lens Blur modes.

Google Camera

When you open Google Camera, there’s no notification that Google Camera is connected to Android Wear, but you’ll be able to tell with a small notification on Android Wear that says Remote. Tapping on the notification will open the shutter button on Android Wear. Once you tap it, a three second countdown will begin before the photo is taken with Google Camera on your Android phone. Once it’s taken, you can preview a small version on Android Wear.

Google Camera Android Wear

I suppose adding the shutter feature to Android Wear could let you take better selfies, but it wouldn’t work that well if you’re holding the camera and have to use your free hand to activate the shutter on Android Wear.

Strangely enough, Google Camera already supports activating the shutter with the volume buttons. The remote shutter option was almost added as a duplicate feature. Why? It seems like it could be more of a proof of concept for other app developers.

Lead by example

Google Camera’s ability to use Android Wear to remotely activate the shutter isn’t as much of a “must-have” feature as it is a concept for its use. It would be nice to see other photo apps like Instagram, Vine, or Snapchat include this feature to give people the ability to remotely control these apps. More apps should be adding functionality to Android Wear, but for now, Google Camera shows off one example for the expanded use of the smartwatch. In some cases, being able to take self portraits can be really useful and help get away from those horribly angled photos.

Right now, developers are able to use the Android Wear SDK to add functions from apps to the device, but I think a big question is whether or not adding a new function is compelling enough. In some cases, smaller developers may be waiting for bigger developers to announce a feature that others can build off of.

It’s only been about a month since Google officially announced Android Wear at Google I/O, and the selection of officially supported apps is still pretty small. It’s not that Android Wear needs a killer app, but the platform needs more expanded use other than notifications. It’s still too early to call Android Wear a failure, as the core functionality is great, but the platform has a lot of growing to do.

Follow me on Twitter: @chrislikesrobot

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