In June a leak from android definitions document we anticipated that Google was not too satisfied about how they were processing the photos taken with the mobile camera, specifically, when applying filters and “beautify” effects automatically, without being able to deactivate it completely and without knowing exactly whether the image has been modified or not.
Now, with the recent launch of the Google Pixel 5 Y Google Pixel 4a 5G, Google has finally spoken out on the matter and has decided to lead by example. In an upcoming update of the camera app on the Google Pixel, there will be changes to how beauty mode works Or rather, the facial retouch.
Facial retouching, disabled by default
Google has shared on its blog some data from its own studies, according to which when users don’t know if the camera app has applied a filter automatically your appearance can have a negative impact on your mental well-being.
The problem is that in some cases, it is not clear if the camera application has made any adjustments to the aspect, in addition to that sometimes cannot be completely disabled and there is still some degree of retouching even after turning it off.
To tackle the problem, Google has created a guide on using filters in selfies where they are included four rules to follow by applications that incorporate this type of filters. Google has already prepared a future update of its camera app to follow these principles. They are as follows:
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Disabled by default: this type of modifications, filters and facial retouching should be deactivated by default, being the users who activate it. In the Google camera application, this will be done with an information window indicating the type of modifications that will be carried out and an example photo.
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Neutral descriptions: Google studies recommend using neutral language without falling into words like “improvement” or “beauty”, since they have the connotation that the normal appearance of the user can be improved. Instead, Google recommends using neutral terms like “face retouch.” In the Google camera, these changes also apply to the icons, which go from a shiny face to a pencil face.
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Transparency: On the other hand, Google recommends that camera applications clearly show when some type of facial retouching is being applied.
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Information and awareness: Finally, Google asks camera applications to make it easier to understand what has been changed with the retouch, for example through a comparison with before and after applying the effect.
These changes as raised by Google are for now recommendations of design. On the other hand are the rules of the document Definition of Android 11 compatibility, where it is specified in section 7.5.4 that “MUST ensure that the facial appearance is not altered, including but not limited to facial geometry, skin tone or skin smoothing”, although applied only to the camera API , which is used to provide photos from the camera to other apps.
More information | Google
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The news
Google shows how it wants beauty mode to be on Android
was originally published in
Xataka Android
by
Ivan Ramirez
.
