3 ms·

> When I tap the 5x button I want to use the 5x camera The stock camera app does not interpret the user tapping the 5x button as wanting the 5x camera; it inte

> When I tap the 5x button I want to use the 5x camera The stock camera app does not interpret the user tapping the 5x button as wanting the 5x camera; it interprets it as the user wanting the highest quality photo at 5x magnification that the system (thinks it) can deliver, because there are a lot of potential tradeoffs to be made. It's a subtle distinction, but it's there. If you want a behavior like you describe, use a "pro" app like Halide or Obscura.

gbil 3y ago
Funny that you say that, a couple of weeks ago I saw that a friend's 14pro max had a broken camera glass on one of the 3 cameras, it was only the protective glass they installed yet I wondered why they keep it like that and they were like "oh it doesn't come up in the camera" but I had to investigate. So I see from the relevant pictures on the internet that it is the 3x telephone one, I open the camera app, put it on 3x and.... nothing, the image is still clear, no signs of the broken protector glass and I'm confused. After checking again and again and playing with the zoom and putting my fingers on the cameras trying to map the zoom setting with actual physical cameras, I realize that the actual optical 3x lens was triggered under specific conditions which currently I don't remember but confirm what you wrote here I guess. And it bothered me very much like the writer of the article. My expectation is that when I consciously choose that zoom factor, it does use the hardware I paid for, otherwise why buy the hardware to start with ? And in this case the hardware part is the main feature you spend more money for, it is not a side-feature. If nothing else I would expect this as a configuration item, by default using the actual hardware with an option of "turn this AIblah thing on for the phone to select the best possible camera for you for any zoom level", could even extend it to more mambo jumbo (or not) wording but you get the point. Taking it one step further, where does this stop? I get the 24kBTU air conditioning unit but can't actually fully use it because when you put it at max the AC decides on its own that it will send the "proper amount of cool air for the environment, outside temperature etc" and you can't override it. I know, a bit stupid example but you get the point. And I'm all in for the many cases that device calculated decisions can bring a lot of benefit compared on what the user chooses BUT give the explanation and the option to turn it off and don't assume things
- brookst 3y ago
  Most people care more about outcomes than methods. Wanting a product to use a specific technical feature even if the outcome is worse is a very very rare preference. So rare that adding more complexity in the form of “do you want what you asked for, or do you want to exercise the capability that sounds like what you asked for” is going to do more harm than good. If you’re really happier controlling products at that level of detail, DIY is probably the way to go.

gbil 3y ago

Funny that you say that, a couple of weeks ago I saw that a friend's 14pro max had a broken camera glass on one of the 3 cameras, it was only the protective glass they installed yet I wondered why they keep it like that and they were like "oh it doesn't come up in the camera" but I had to investigate. So I see from the relevant pictures on the internet that it is the 3x telephone one, I open the camera app, put it on 3x and.... nothing, the image is still clear, no signs of the broken protector glass and I'm confused. After checking again and again and playing with the zoom and putting my fingers on the cameras trying to map the zoom setting with actual physical cameras, I realize that the actual optical 3x lens was triggered under specific conditions which currently I don't remember but confirm what you wrote here I guess. And it bothered me very much like the writer of the article. My expectation is that when I consciously choose that zoom factor, it does use the hardware I paid for, otherwise why buy the hardware to start with ? And in this case the hardware part is the main feature you spend more money for, it is not a side-feature. If nothing else I would expect this as a configuration item, by default using the actual hardware with an option of "turn this AIblah thing on for the phone to select the best possible camera for you for any zoom level", could even extend it to more mambo jumbo (or not) wording but you get the point. Taking it one step further, where does this stop? I get the 24kBTU air conditioning unit but can't actually fully use it because when you put it at max the AC decides on its own that it will send the "proper amount of cool air for the environment, outside temperature etc" and you can't override it. I know, a bit stupid example but you get the point. And I'm all in for the many cases that device calculated decisions can bring a lot of benefit compared on what the user chooses BUT give the explanation and the option to turn it off and don't assume things

brookst 3y ago
Most people care more about outcomes than methods. Wanting a product to use a specific technical feature even if the outcome is worse is a very very rare preference. So rare that adding more complexity in the form of “do you want what you asked for, or do you want to exercise the capability that sounds like what you asked for” is going to do more harm than good. If you’re really happier controlling products at that level of detail, DIY is probably the way to go.