We've been hearing quite a bit about the Pixel Visual Core that Google put inside its Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, but now the feature is finally ready for use.
Google has announced that it's turning on the Pixel Visual Core for Pixel 2 users with the February update. That update is now live on Google's factory image and OTA image sites, which means that Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL owners should begin seeing it hit their devices soon.
The Pixel Visual Core is improves image quality in third-party apps that utilize it. It does so by using the computational photography and machine learning that powers the Pixel's HDR+ technology. Now this HDR+ technology can be used in photography apps other than Google's own.
In the example images below, the photo on the left was taken without the Pixel's HDR+ technology and the photo on the right uses HDR+ tech.
So which apps can use the Pixel Visual Core? Google has confirmed that Instagram, Snapchat, WhatsApp, and "many other apps" support the feature.
Google also confirmed that it's rolling out new Augmented Reality (AR) Stickers to Pixel phones this week. These stickers will be themed around winter sports to celebrate the upcoming Winter Olympics. The stickers include freestyle skiers, twirling ice skaters, hockey players, and more.