HTC releases One (M8) Dual Lens SDK for third-party developers

HTC has started allowing third-party app developers to fiddle with the HTC One (M8)'s Duo Camera via new APIs and SDKs.

"HTC is excited to introduce the initial SDK preview for the Dual Lens API for all third party developers. With this SDK preview, developers will be able to create new effects and find new innovative uses for the images captures by the HTC One (M8)," states the HTC Dev blog.

The SDK preview that includes the APIs for the HTC One (M8)'s DualLens and DimensionPlus features, will allow the third-party apps to exploit the handset's refocussing and other abilities, offering some new innovative functionalities to the users.

The firm has also mentioned what the developers would get in the API files:

DualLens - support for obtaining and managing a "bokeh" strength map mask for requested strength values.

DimensionPlus - support for the DimensionPlus file format. Includes a DimensionPlusView class for rendering DimensionPlus photos and a DimensionPlusUtility class for exporting images in the DimensionPlus format.

The HTC One (M8) Dual Lens SDK Preview is available to download after the login and registering of existing and new users.

The Duo Camera is one of the main highlights of the HTC One (M8) smartphone. While the main camera is the same 4-UltraPixel resolution as before, HTC is claiming improved performance. The second rear camera captures depth information, given the phone the ability to do things like refocussing images, background detection in a much better fashion.

HTC One (M8) was launched on 25 March. Some of the key features of the handset include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 SoC; 2GB of RAM; Android 4.4.2 KitKat OS; Sense 6 UI; 4-UltraPixel rear camera; 5-megapixel front camera; and 2600mAh battery capacity.