Pixel 2's secret photo chip unlocked with Android 8.1 beta

Google unlocks the special 'Pixel Visual Core' on Pixel 2 with the latest Android 8.1 beta

By: Anthony Garreffa | Mobile Devices, Tablets & Phones News | Posted: Nov 28, 2017 6:35 am

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Google built a special next-gen photography chip that laid dormant inside of the new Pixel 2 smartphone, something that has just been activated for the first time ever in the new developer preview of Android 8.1.

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The secret photography chip inside of Pixel 2 is called Pixel Visual Core, and is the first processor designed by Google in-house, with the search giant also having some help from Intel. The 8-core processor speeds up the software side of photography, providing Pixel 2 owners with impressive HDR+ processing and other AI-powered tasks.

Google says that the Pixel Visual Core inside of Pixel 2 is capable of being "five times faster" handling HDR+ photos then traditional processors, like the Snapdragon 835 from Qualcomm - the SoC inside of Pixel 2. Third-party developers will be able to tap into the Visual Pixel Core, meaning apps like Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat could be updated to handle the additional camera horsepower and abilities.

NEWS SOURCES:Thenextweb.com