To enhance your experience with the new iPhone 16 this holiday season, you may have noticed the innovative “Camera Control” button on the side. This feature is not just a simple button for opening the camera app and taking photos; it is a partially capacitative button that allows for touch sensitivity, enabling you to swipe your finger along it to adjust various settings.
The Camera Control is a standout feature in Apple’s iPhone 16 lineup, offering more than just basic camera functions. In iOS 18.2, Apple introduced Visual Intelligence, an AI feature that utilizes ChatGPT or Google Lens to provide detailed information about real-world objects when you point your camera at them.
Visual Intelligence is Apple’s response to Google Lens, offering deeper analysis and context to images in real time. By combining ChatGPT and Google Lens, Visual Intelligence goes beyond traditional image search capabilities, making it a valuable tool for users.
Using Visual Intelligence is simple on the iPhone 16. Hold down the Camera Control for a second or two to open the camera view with options to Ask ChatGPT or Search with Google. You can interact with ChatGPT to learn more about the object in view or perform a Google image search for additional information.
Aside from Visual Intelligence, the Camera Control also allows for quick access to camera settings and features. A light double-press on the button reveals a menu for adjusting exposure, depth, zoom, and more. Additionally, a light press-and-hold locks auto-focus and auto-exposure on the main subject in the frame, similar to a DSLR camera.
The Camera Control is highly customizable, allowing users to set preferences for opening camera apps, adjusting button sensitivity, and enabling or disabling specific gestures. With iOS 18.2, Apple introduced a new setting to launch the camera directly from the Lock Screen, providing a faster way to capture moments on the go.
Overall, the Camera Control on the iPhone 16 offers a versatile and intuitive way to interact with the device’s camera features. Whether you’re a photography enthusiast or a casual user, the customizable options and advanced capabilities of the Camera Control make it a valuable addition to the iPhone 16 experience.
