The bevy of handy features includes a self-timer and exposure settings, to the ability to create a Street View-like photo sphere. Credit: Ben Patterson There are almost as many Android camera apps as there are Android phones, and as of 2014 Google has its own camera app—the aptly named Google Camera[1]. At first glance, Google's Camera app looks surprisingly simple—nothing but a viewfinder and a shutter release. Once you start tapping and swiping, though, you'll find a bevy of hidden options, ranging from a self-timer and exposure settings to a panorama mode and even the ability to create a Street View-like "photo sphere." Read on for 12 gotta-know Google Camera features, starting with... Note: Not all of the following features will be available for every Android phone; for example, Android tablets without a flash won't have any flash settings, while gyroscope-less devices won't be able to create panorama shots. Snap photos with the volume buttons As with iOS, tapping the (sometimes slippery) on-screen shutter release isn't the only way to take photos. Ben Patterson Try snapping a photo with a volume button rather than dealing with the slippery on-screen shutter release. Go ahead and press a volume button—and when you do, you'll start snapping. And if you're lucky enough to own a Nexus 6P[2], you can hold down the shutter button to take a series of "burst" photos. Take a selfie You might be a bit puzzled the first time you try taking a selfie with Google Camera, given that there aren't any obvious on-screen controls besides the shutter release. Ben Patterson Just tap the lens toggle button to switch between the front and rear camera lenses. Look closely, though, and you'll see a small, three-dot "overflow" button in the corner of the viewfinder (either the top or bottom corner, depending on how you're holding your Android device.) For comprehensive coverage of the Android ecosystem, visit Greenbot.com[3].
