Google has launched the first quarter beta of Android 14 for Pixel devices, which includes a number of fixes and a number of new features, including the ability to use the phone as a computer webcam.
Pixel devices running the Q1 beta of Android 14 can now use the phone's camera as a webcam for desktops and laptops (except the Pixel Fold).
Google wants to simplify the process by offering a built-in solution for connecting to an Android phone and using it as a webcam.
There is no need to download apps from Google Play Store and an Android 14 phone and USB cable are required for connection. However, the new camera does not work wirelessly.
Connecting via a USB cable ensures that you can use your webcam no matter what computer operating system you are using.
Google's built-in webcam solution is based on the UVC standard, which doesn't allow the operating system to add restrictions. This means you can connect your Android phone to a PC, Chromebook, Mac, or Linux computer to join a video call.
You should choose from the best smartphone cameras on the market to get the best video calling experience as smartphone cameras have better video processing mechanisms than the best webcams and thus improve the video quality.
Not only do smartphone cameras produce high-resolution videos, they also offer better microphones to capture high-quality audio, and you can use smartphone cameras from multiple angles, which goes far beyond what a webcam can offer.
The first quarterly beta of Android 14 is available for Pixel devices, which means the feature is currently only available on those devices.
However, this is not a feature exclusive to Pixel devices, which means any eligible Android phone will be able to act as a webcam when the feature officially rolls out with Android 14.