Android 15 may allow third-party camera apps to offer improved video stabilization

Android 15 may allow third-party apps to offer improved quality in terms of video stabilization, according to a report. Code from Google’s upcoming Android operating system suggests that the firm may introduce a new “extension” that will allow alternative camera apps downloaded from the Play Store to access the same algorithms used by the default camera app (or “stock”) on the user’s smartphone, in the coming months. Manufacturers may choose to enable this functionality, but Google may offer a software alternative to access these advanced camera features.

Android Authority noticed a new Camera2 extension called “Eyes Free videography” in Android 15 code, on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). The Camera2 extension allows third-party camera apps to access algorithms that are available to the manufacturer’s camera app. Google is reportedly offering access to five extensions – Auto, Bokeh, Face retouch, HDR and Night – on several smartphones running Android 14.

Android 15’s new Eyes Free videography Camera2 extension “aims to lock and stabilize a region or object of interest,” according to the feature’s description spotted by the publication. While the aforementioned extensions are related to image capture, the new extension is designed to improve video stabilization in third-party camera apps.

It’s worth noting that OEMs will still need to implement the new Camera2 extension for Android 15 — some manufacturers have reportedly enabled access to one or more of the five extensions available in Android 14. However, the report states, that Android 15 may introduce a new “Allow camera software extensions” switch designed to provide a software implementation of the feature that may not be as optimized, but would allow third-party camera apps to access the extension and offer improved video quality.

Google is expected to roll out Android 15 to eligible Pixel smartphones later this year, and the next-gen operating system is expected to arrive with support for lock screen widgets, privacy features aimed at hiding sensitive details while the screen is saved, a new “app quarantine” feature, a “private space” to hide apps, and several other new features. Some of these are currently available in the latest Android 15 public beta, while others may be enabled by the company when the stable version is released later this year.