Sep 10, 2024

Apple Vision Pro

Camera Controls on a Smartphone

The iPhone 16 range of smartphones have a dedicated capture button that mimics professional cameras. More from the “It’s Glowtime” event:

We expected another round of incremental hardware updates, but this feature truly stood out. Just like DSLRs, which allow you to half-press the shutter button to lock auto-focus (or manually adjust it), the new iPhone 16 models now offer this same capability.

With the iPhone 16, you can quickly pull out your phone, half-press the button to engage autofocus, and then fully press to capture your shot. Whether you’re photographing a person, animal, building, or landscape, this feature simplifies the process. The ‘click’ feeling would be quite satisfying.

Why this Feature Matters

Consider photographing a potted plant against a sunset. Traditionally, you’d open the camera app, touch the plant on the screen to set focus, and then press the software button to take the picture. With the iPhone 16, you simply half-press the shutter button to focus and fully press to capture the image, similar to using a DSLR. This approach enhances ease of use and enjoyment.

This feature benefits everyone, including older adults. For those seeking advanced options, the iPhone 16 offers haptic feedback and touch sensors. Features like click-and-slide allow you to adjust exposure, depth of field, and zoom, providing a DSLR-like experience on a smartphone.

What About the Pro Models?

Though we’re highlighting the Pro models here, the standard iPhone 16 also features the capture button. This year’s release includes AI enhancements, ensuring that even the base model has a powerful processor.

The base model of the iPhone 16 starts at ₹79,900 without a trade-in or extended warranty. Is it worth it? We believe so. Should you invest in it? Absolutely!

Privacy concerns around Artificial Intelligence are valid, especially with smartphones. The new iPhones come with “on-device” machine learning, ensuring advanced functions are powered by a robust processor. This means that all the AI and ML tasks can take place within the device itself. Thus, privacy is taken care of.

If budget isn’t an issue, consider adding these items to your cart:

iPhone 16 Pro with 1TB and extended warranty: If you accidentally damage your phone, AppleCare+ provides minimal-cost servicing for up to 2 years.
Silicone Case with MagSafe: This case offers better grip and protection, especially while traveling.
Apple Watch 10 or Ultra 2: A smartwatch with features like Sleep Apnea detection, which we hope will become available in India soon.
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation: Essential for focusing amidst the noise of Indian cities. Note that the hearing aid feature’s availability in India is still uncertain if you’re buying them for older family members.

Embracing Spatial Capture

The iPhone 16 base models support spatial photo and video capture, with Pro models offering even better functionality. Designed with the Vision Pro headset in mind, both base and Pro models feature advanced processors and camera capabilities.

The Pro model’s 48 MP main, 48 MP ultra-wide, and 12 MP 5x telephoto lenses capture high-quality images – like the featured photo in this blog post. The point is that, a smartphone is always with you, and you can take it out in an instant to capture a moment that may not be the same every second. The dedicated capture button helps.

Panoramas now support up to 63 MP. For videos, you get 4K Dolby Vision at up to 120 fps, and spatial video recording is 1080p at 30 fps. The ProRes video format, used by professional filmmakers, supports up to 4K at 120 fps with external recording. Additionally, spatial audio support enhances the experience, reducing the need for specialised cameras to fully utilise the Vision Pro Virtual Reality headset.

iOS 18 and Sequoia

We’ll leave the detailed feature breakdown of iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia to Apple, but as with any fresh OS install, the performance feels smooth and responsive.

One notable addition is the ability to use your iPhone as an AirPlay receiver, streaming content from the Vision Pro. macOS now also mirrors the iPhone, a bit like the Nokia PC Suite from two decades ago. While it might seem odd to have phone notifications on your computer, it could be handy when your phone is charging out of reach, say, at an airport.

For developers, this feature offers a more practical solution than an emulator for viewing mobile previews of responsive websites.

The iPhone for Matterport Virtual Tours

As Matterport Capture Technicians, we use iPhones or iPads to operate the scanner. Any older model would suffice, however, we’re excited by these advancements. A DSLR-like button and DSLR-like wheel in a smartphone is something any photographer would want.

For clients, showcasing virtual tours on high-quality screens can significantly enhance the viewing experience. If you’re in a coffee shop (as opposed to a meeting room with a projector), you’ll probably be using a mobile device to show the tour to a customer.

If you haven’t created a Matterport virtual tour for your property yet, the sooner the better. Despite the buzz around AI and image manipulation, customers value accurate, unmodified representations of spaces. Matterport 3D tours offer an authentic view, because there’s no editing involved, like traditional 2D images enhanced on Photoshop.

Did you know you can create a virtual tour yourself with just your smartphone? Install the Matterport app, choose the free hosting plan, and follow the instructions. Spin the phone 360 degrees, keeping it steady as if on a tripod, and repeat to cover the entire space.