Google Will Soon Make Scanning QR Codes Much Easier for Android Users

I am sure, just like me, you might have also experienced a situation where you faced issues scanning a QR code that has been placed far off. Maybe you are in a crowded marketplace and are unable to reach the QR code, or maybe, you want to scan a code placed on the wall across the room. There can be multiple instances like this. To solve this issue, Google is planning to implement a new feature that will let you scan QR codes from a distance. Learn more about this feature in detail below.

Google Code Scanner: Details

To provide us respite from this issue, it seems like Google isbringing an auto-zoom featureto its Code Scanner API on Android. With this feature, you can easily scan QR Codes that are far off without needing to manually adjust the zoom and ensure optimal framing of the scanner. This feature was first spotted and reported byMishaal Rahman via X(formerly Twitter).The same has been updated in theML Kit Libraryavailable to developers as part of API library version 17.2.0.Google has updated ML Kit’s Barcode Scanning API and the Code Scanner API with auto-zoom, enabling the camera to automatically zoom in to scan barcodes that are far away. The scanner will intelligently detect barcodes and zoom in so the user doesn’t have to manually adjust zoom.pic.twitter.com/yZGjJsrgI9— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman)August 3, 2023

Google has updated ML Kit’s Barcode Scanning API and the Code Scanner API with auto-zoom, enabling the camera to automatically zoom in to scan barcodes that are far away. The scanner will intelligently detect barcodes and zoom in so the user doesn’t have to manually adjust zoom.pic.twitter.com/yZGjJsrgI9— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman)August 3, 2023

To achieve this functionality, the API will make use of Google’son-device Machine Learning capabilitiesfor code interpretation. But, to maintain user privacy, the API only outputs a barcode object to the app. The ML Kit page states,“The Google code scanner API provides a complete solution for scanning code without requiring your app to request camera permission, while preserving user privacy. This is accomplished by delegating the task of scanning the code to Google Play services and returning only the scan results to your app. All image processing occurs on the device and Google doesn’t store the results or image data.”

One of the key highlights of this new auto-zoom feature is that it will not restrict itself to Google’s QR Code Scanner app only.Developers of other apps can also implement this featureinto theirQR code scanner appswithout the need to grant camera permissions. This will both save time for developers as well as maintain a high level of privacy for users.

As of now, it is unclear when Google plans to make this feature available to Android users. However, we are sure that this feature is going to greatly benefit users in a country like India. A majority of the population uses QR codes on a daily basis for making transactions, thanks to UPI. With that said, do let us know your thoughts on this auto-zooming featurefor QR code scanning in the comment below.

Siddhartha Samaddar

A curious being who is fascinated by the world of tech and literature alike. Always in the lookout for the “next big thing” in software. In my free time you can find me either trying my hand at gaming or daydreaming about my “ideal gaming setup.”

Add new comment

Name

Email ID

Δ

01

02

03

04

05