Following the launch of the Android 8.1 Oreo update in the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, the search engine giant has enabled a previously inactive feature inside the premium handsets. The said feature is the Pixel Visual Core, which along with a new application programming interface (API) will allow third-party applications to use the artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities of the hardware in order to capture enhanced photos.

As reported by CNET, the newly enabled Pixel Visual Core in the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL will introduce a technology called the Rapid and Accurate Image Super Resolution or RAISR. The Pixel Visual Core is a process-accelerating custom chip, which makes it capable of handling the RAISR tasks such as running AI software and rapidly merging raw image files into a bigger high-dynamic range plus (HDR+) photo. The outcome of the merging is the minimized dark shadows and imbalanced color highlights in the original picture.

Google Pixel 2 users will also get the enjoy the better quality of zoom-in shots as the Pixel Visual Core chip will be able to enhance the currently existing picture by itself with the help of an AI system, filling in the smallest details that will result in sharper and clearer close-up photos.

The HDR+ algorithm of the Pixel Visual Core is said to collate pictures with short exposure times, then later on aligning them in order to analyze motions and reduce the noise. Even as the Google Pixel 2 only has a single-lens camera module unlike the other premium handsets with dual-lens setup, this algorithm will allow the users to get highly detailed photos from a single 12 MP camera. 

At this point, the HDR+ photo algorithm of the Pixel Visual Core is not just exclusive to the Google camera app. The AI software can now be accessed by third-party apps such as Snapchat and Facebook. Google is open to allowing other software developers to access the Visual Core chip.