The second of the Android Q developer preview is now finally available, with the latest version delivering several more features and tweaks. One of the new features could just might as well be a boon for vloggers, journalists, and the consumer market in general as well.
The latest preview from the Android Q now brings native support for “directional, zoomable microphones” via a MicrophoneDirection API. What this means is that apps will now have the capabilities to specify a direction for the microphones to focus when recoding audio.
An excerpt of a Google blog post states :
“For example, when the user is taking a ‘selfie’ video, you can request the front-facing microphone for audio recording (if it exists)…”
Furthermore, more documentation from Google itself goes on to reveal that developers will also have the capability to optimize audio coming from the back of the phone along with the external microphones too.
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And hence, the ability should theoretically result in not only louder, but also clearer sound while blogging, filming an interview, or even while recording a live gig. And while a potentially very useful feature, this won’t be the first time it will make an appearance – as LG smartphones have actually offered a microphone directivity for quite some years now. The feature revolving around LG allows users to drag a UI element to adjust directivity towards either the front or the back of the device.
Moreover, the MicrophoneDirection API will also offer support for zoomable microphones. This will then allow smartphone users to focus on a specific subject or range when recording audio. And this too seems to come with an element of familiarity as HTC’s flagship phones have known to offer an Acoustic Focus or Sonic Zoom feature.
And hence, all in all, it’s quite clear that Android Q should indeed introduce a better audio recording experience to smartphones.
