Google Removes the Photo Sphere Mode From the Pixel 8 Camera

Since 2012, Google Pixel phones have had a Photo Sphere Mode, allowing users to capture 360-degree images. Now, according to Android Authority, Google has dropped the feature from the Pixel 8 series with no explanation given. From the report: Photo Sphere Mode allowed you to capture panoramic 360-degree pictures by stitching multiple images together. The feature was first introduced back in 2012 on the Nexus 4 and persisted well into the Pixel era, with the likes of the Pixel Fold and Pixel 7a still offering it. The act of capturing a Photo Sphere wasn't exactly seamless owing to the sheer number of images required, although it had an admittedly intuitive UI. Significant stitching issues and exposure/white balance differences were also very common.

We're therefore not surprised Google has decided to drop the feature. Even without taking the aforementioned issues into account, the mode's utility seemed limited beyond some scenarios like mapping purposes (e.g. viewing environments in Google Maps) and VR. In saying so, we hope the company rebounds with a more polished take on 360-degree photos in the future.

Graveyeard?

[MikeKD]

Well, I *was* thinking of purchasing the Pixel 8 Pro within the next month but I've used photo sphere when traveling. It's nice to get a 360 view of stuff like beaches or the top of hiking trails and tall buildings. I guess I'll wait a while to see if this is a true grave-yard addition or just a poorly communicated update.

Re:Graveyeard?

[SandorZoo]

You can still take 360 degree photos using panorama mode, where you sweep the camera around in one continuous motion to take the image. These can be viewed as either an ultra wide photo, or in VR mode where you move the phone around to see different parts of the image.

You only need photo-sphere mode, where it stitches together multilple still images, if you want to include what's above your head or at your feet. My experience is that they don't really work as normal photos due to the excessive fisheye lens style distortion (even when the stitching is perfect), so have to be viewed in VR mode.

Re:

[MikeKD]

I misspoke (miswrote). I use the full...3d (not sure how many degrees that is) not just a linear panorama. I've generally had a good experience, too, except when there's something linear (like a fence) in the foreground. The photo app handles the image well and provides a reasonable facsimile of being there.

Google seems to hate 360 Photos

[stedlj]

They dropped the Street View App that could upload 360 photos in to Google Maps. That means no new blue circles on Google maps that I found so useful. I enjoyed uploading my own to help hikers on remote trails and camp sites.

Maybe this is to support a better technology.

[andrewtek]

With a similar amount of information and the ML capabilities in the newer phone chips, perhaps they are wanting people to use NeRF or Gaussian Splatting technology instead. These are far more capable than a 3d photo sphere.

It works like a charm on the Insta360

[MIPSPro]

I'm a skater. I use an Insta360 X3 with the short selfie stick to record some of my sessions. I've owned GoPro and Sony cameras also. The Insta360 has two lenses, one on either side of a stick-like body with a small display. It's like 4" x 3/4" and it's the best camera I've ever owned for video. For skating it's so natural because of the "horizon lock" and AI-based "follow" features. It has all kinds of gimmicks and some aren't that helpful, but some are, and allow for some real alchemy combining them into special effects and other cool scenes. The key feature is the fact that it's taking 360' video and the editing suite allows you to reframe your composition in realtime at your editing station (wish it ran on Linux, though). If you shoot pictures or video let me repeat that: you can reframe your shot after while at home in your chair. That part is just gold. The company makes some sick VR cameras with insane specs. You know, those military looking orbs that you see on the bottom of helicopters and other wizardry.

Re:

[echo123]

Agreed! It's also useful as a 'dash-cam' while cycling fast on urban streets, strava.com style. The camera will capture everything within line-of-sight and once back at home with a beer and a large monitor, the Insta360 software allows you to focus and frame the video plus transitions.

My only dig on my X2 is the amount of light it requires, making it most useful only during the day. The videos are so smooth and stabilized. A single recording session can resulting in many different videos, from different, sa

Probably just being cautious

[lsllll]

They're probably infringing on someone else's intellectual property and decided it wasn't worth it.

Re:

[Mike Zilva]

It's almost the same algorithms they use in the street view Google cars since the beginning, I suppose they are the ones that own the algorithms...