Samsung Phones Double As PC Webcams With New Software Update

Photo 97113428 © Mihai Alexandru | Dreamstime.com

Samsung Galaxy users are about to see their smartphones in a whole new light—or rather, lens, as the South Korean tech giant has introduced an addition that will transform their devices into high-functioning webcams for laptops and desktops without the need to buy extra gear.

Announced at CES 2024, an upcoming update to Microsoft’s Link to Windows service will enable Galaxy smartphones to double as wireless webcams, a concept similar to solutions offered by Apple’s Continuity Camera and Google’s USB Video Class support. It will first be made available to the Galaxy Book 4 series, and taps into the growingly commonplace world of remote work and virtual meetings.

The capability is part of Samsung’s One UI 6.1, initially launched with the Galaxy S24 series. To use this feature, both the phone and the connecting device need to have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled. Beyond pairing with PCs, the Camera Sharing function also allows a Galaxy smartphone’s camera to be used as a webcam for a Galaxy tablet. 

The update is particularly notable for its use of both the front and rear lenses of the smartphone in video calls. Users can switch between cameras depending on their needs, offering flexibility in how they present themselves and their surroundings during calls. Additional features like Background Blur and Auto-framing are included to improve the quality of the video feed.

This webcam functionality is compatible with any Galaxy phone running One UI 1.0 or higher (Android 9.0 or higher), which includes a wide range of Samsung’s smartphone lineup. Initially available for the Galaxy Book 4 laptop, this feature is primed to be extended to other devices in the future.

[via ZDNet, Forbes, 9to5Google, cover photo 97113428 © Mihai Alexandru | Dreamstime.com]