Apple unveiled the iPhone 16 and 16 Professional (alongside new Apple Watch and AirPods fashions) at an action-packed press occasion yesterday. The corporate centered closely on new AI options, however we knew rather a lot about Apple Intelligence already; many firm watchers, together with this one, have been extra within the iPhone getting a second new button in as a few years.
As had been rumored forward of the occasion, all 4 new iPhone fashions for 2024 function a brand new capacitive, gesture-sensitive button referred to as Digicam Management. This sits in a slight recess low down on the righthand edge, beneath the facility button; maintain the gadget in panorama mode and it strains up conveniently together with your proper index finger, just like the shutter on a digicam. It really works in portrait mode too.
Pretty clearly, given the identify, this management is meant to be used when taking pictures. Right here’s what it might probably do.
Launch the Digicam app: That is pretty apparent, however clicking the button as soon as will open the Digicam app.
Take a photograph: As soon as the Digicam app is open, click on the Digicam Management button once more to take a photograph. You need to do a correct click on, not a lightweight press as a result of that does one thing else (as we will see).
Take a video: If you happen to’re in video mode, clicking the Digicam Management button will begin recording. It’s also possible to lengthy press in photograph mode to immediately begin recording video.
Zoom out and in: As a substitute of a click on, evenly press the button when within the viewfinder, and a zoom dial will come out subsequent to your finger. Swipe left and proper on the management to zoom in or out.
Different digicam controls. Okay, this time do a double mild faucet and a swipeable menu of varied digicam controls will pop up. You may entry zoom, depth results, publicity, and different choices by swiping alongside the button.
These are the primary options Apple lists on the iPhone 16’s product web page, however Digicam Management doesn’t cease there. The corporate additionally revealed in the course of the keynote that Digicam Management might be used for an Apple Intelligence function referred to as Visible Intelligence. Level your iPhone at an object or place, click on and maintain Digicam Management, after which marvel at related AI-powered evaluation: if it’s a canine, it’ll let you know the breed; if it’s a restaurant, it’ll let you know the hours, and so forth. However this isn’t a launch function. It would come to Digicam Management later in 2024, Apple says.
Likewise, Digicam Management can be utilized to search for issues you possibly can see. Level the digicam at a motorcycle, for instance, and clicking the button will use Google Picture Search to search out out extra about it. It’s also possible to search utilizing ChatGPT.
As with new {hardware} controls up to now, Apple is hoping that third-party app makers will give you creative methods to make use of Digicam Management. Over the approaching months, iPhone 16 and 16 Professional homeowners are prone to see additional makes use of of the button to quick-access apps and app options in numerous methods. It stays to be seen whether or not this might be successful or a flop, however for now, the potential is interesting.
Additionally learn: Which iPhone has one of the best digicam?