Google Will Finally Let You Use External Mics on Pixel Phones

Google Pixel phones will finally support external microphones for video recording by end of this month.

Google Pixel, Pixel 2 series will also get the support.

(Photo: The Quint)

Some good news for those looking to buy the new Pixel 3 smartphone from Google, or those who already own the previous ones. The search-giant, now looking to become a hardware behemoth has seemingly confirmed that all of its Pixel phones will soon support external microphones.

The update became evident after some developers spotted it available on the Google Camera 6.1 app interface which is pre-installed on the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL launched this year. Instead of relying on third-party apps like One Camera, Pixel users will finally get the benefit of software support on the device via Google itself.

“Hi, folks -- Isaac here from the Pixel Camera engineering team. I have been keeping an eye on this thread since the beginning and have good news. At the same time as Pixel 3 launch (October 18th), we will introduce support for Android-compatible plugged-in external microphones in the default camera app for all Pixels. I hope you all enjoy the update,” this was highlighted on the Google Forum.

This update incorporating the external microphone support on older Pixel phones should become available at the same time as the retail launch of "Pixel 3", The Verge reported on Sunday.

Some third-party Android camera apps like "Open Camera" have already allowed external microphones to record audio while creators and users recorded video using a Pixel device.

Apart from rolling out the external microphone support to the Pixel phones, the older models are also set to gain many new camera software features.

It’s a big relief to see Google making these changes, that should have been there from day one. Google, till date was the only flagship device manufacturer that wasn’t letting users make the best of its camera to product video content.

Samsung and Apple have always supported these accessories, something that is essential for video creators nowadays.