The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we work and communicate with our colleagues, friends, and family. Video conferencing apps have become an essential tool for remote work and online meetings. However, not everyone has a high-quality webcam, and some people have to rely on their phone’s camera to attend video calls. Fortunately, Android 14 may have a solution to this problem.
Android 14’s DeviceAsWebcam feature
According to 9to5Google, Google is working on a new feature called DeviceAsWebcam, which will allow Android 14 devices to be used as webcams for laptops and desktops. The feature will work by connecting the phone to the computer via USB and sending video data to the computer. This means that users will be able to use their phone’s camera as a high-quality webcam without having to buy a separate webcam.
Mishaal Rahman‘s tidbits about the feature
Mishaal Rahman, the editor-in-chief of XDA Developers, has shared some tidbits about the DeviceAsWebcam feature on Reddit. According to Rahman, the feature will work with any app that supports UVC webcams, which means that it should work with most video conferencing apps. He also notes that the feature will work natively, which means that users won’t have to install any drivers or additional software.
No limitations on how to use your phone as a webcam
One of the best things about the DeviceAsWebcam feature is that there don’t seem to be any limitations on how users can use their phone as a webcam. As 9to5Google points out, Google is not working on a specific app for this feature, which means that manufacturers will have to provide their own app. This gives users the flexibility to choose the app that works best for them.
Which phones will support the feature?
It’s not clear at this point which phones will support the DeviceAsWebcam feature. However, according to Chrome Unboxed, the feature will be added to Android 14 as a service, which means that it should be available on most Android 14 devices. It’s also worth noting that the feature will work as a USB video device class (UVC). This is a standard that most modern webcams use.
Conclusion
The DeviceAsWebcam feature in Android 14 is an exciting development. It is more exciting for anyone who has had to rely on their phone’s camera for video calls. With this feature, users will be able to use their phone as a high-quality webcam. They can do this without having to buy a separate webcam. The feature will work natively and should be available on most Android 14 devices. While it’s not clear which phones will support the feature, it’s likely that most modern Android phones will be compatible. The DeviceAsWebcam feature is a welcome addition to Android 14. It should make video conferencing a lot easier for many people.
