Android 14 wants to make your photos even more beautiful on smartphones. To do this, the next version of the operating system relies on a new native format: 10-bit Ultra HDR.
Android was not at the heart of the debates at the last I/O conference, Google having preferred to give pride of place to artificial intelligence. But the Mountain View firm has still communicated on a new feature whose introduction is planned with Android 14.
Photos captured and displayed in 10-bit HDR
A new image format called Ultra HDR is going to be supported by the next major version of the operating system. Like any standard that is based on high dynamic range imaging, Ultra HDR will make it possible to obtain brighter photo rendering, with greater contrast and more vivid colors.
Google specifies that it is not just a simple software device. When you capture a snapshot with your smartphone camera, the sensor will transmit more information to the system, which will use it to improve image processing.
Ultra HDR is expected to become the default format for Android’s native camera app as well as third-party apps. A collaboration with Qualcomm makes this feature compatible on certain varieties of hardware, but not all chips will support it due to hardware limitations.
Google Photos at the heart of the experience
Google advises that the 10-bit Ultra HDR format is backwards compatible with JPEG files. The Google Photos application will display the images in Ultra HDR if the mobile screen allows it as well as save them, synchronize them, download them, share them and even edit them. Third-party applications may also offer such features.
Ultra HDR will be rolling out to Android 14 beta users shortly. The stable version of the update should be offered around the end of August or the beginning of September.
Source : Android Developers Blog
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