Apple has acquired computer vision startup Regaind, TechCrunch reports. Regaind has been working on an API to analyze the content of photos that could do things like automatically finding the best shot in a burst series or hiding images flagged as duplicates.
Reports over the summer suggested that Apple was working on a similar technology that was dubbed “SmartCam” that would have allowed the iPhone 8 to automatically select the best shots while photographing particular subjects such as babies, pets, documents fireworks, or sunrises and sunsets, however despite expectations, the “SmartCam” feature never materialized with the debut of the iPhone 8, suggesting that Apple is still working on it. It’s unclear whether Apple may be interested in using Regaind’s technology to help advance that feature or for other aspects of the photos app such as Memories.
Apple only issued its usual blanket statement in response to the inquiry, saying “Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans.”
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