The iPhone 16’s Camera Control button was generally criticized at the launch of the range, for its relative usefulness. However, with iOS 18.2, Apple has significantly improved this feature, turning it into the powerful tool it was intended to be. This change can be summed up in two words: Visual Intelligence.
Visual intelligence according to Apple
By pressing and holding the camera control button, Apple customers can access a mode that not only identifies objects and their surroundings, but also offers actionable insights. According to Apple, this mode allows users to check restaurant hours or reviews, add events from flyers to calendars or identify dog breeds by simply pointing their camera. Additionally, Camera Control now integrates with third-party apps like Google for search or ChatGPT for advanced troubleshooting, making iPhone 16 a more intuitive device.
A new visual intelligence experience builds on Apple Intelligence and helps users instantly discover objects and places, thanks to the new Camera Control in the iPhone 16 series. Visual intelligence can summarize and copy text, translate text text between languages, detect phone numbers or email addresses with the ability to add contacts, and much more. Camera Control also allows users to search on Google to see where they can purchase an item, or take advantage of ChatGPT’s problem-solving skills to request an explanation of a complex diagram, such as from lecture notes . Users control when third-party tools are used and what information is shared.
To take advantage of it, you need an iPhone 16 and long press the “Camera Control” button. The Visual Intelligence interface is then launched, allowing you to analyze what is happening on the screen. Like Google Lens, it is capable of recognizing a place or an object, reading text or even answering a question. Once again, this AI function is not yet available for European users, you will have to wait until April 2025.
Faster access to the camera
That’s not all. The iOS 18.2 update also improves the speed at which the Camera app can be launched. A new “Require screen on” option found in Settings > Display & Brightness allows the camera to be enabled even when the screen is off if it is disabled. This change eliminates the need for an extra step to wake your device before launching the camera, improving the speed with which you can capture spontaneous moments.
Improved shutter control
Other improvements include the introduction of a two-step shutter feature, which was previewed by Apple when announcing the iPhone 16. Located in Settings > Camera > Camera Control camera, the AE/AF lock toggle allows users to lock the focus and exposure with a light press, followed by a firmer press to take the photo, mimicking traditional DSLR functionality for photographic more precise.
These updates in iOS 18.2 make the camera button a gateway to a richer, smarter photography experience on iPhone 16.
