Google has rolled out a significant update to its ML Kit’s Barcode Scanning API and the Code Scanner API. The latest enhancement introduces an auto-zoom functionality, empowering the camera to automatically zoom in on distant barcodes during scanning. By leveraging intelligent barcode detection, users are relieved from the manual adjustment of zoom settings.
This auto-zoom capability is now available in both the bundled library 17.2.0 and unbundled library 18.3.0 of the ML Kit Barcode Scanning API, as well as in version 16.1.0 of the Google Code Scanner API. It is important to note that developers must enable this feature within their applications that utilize these APIs.
Notably, Google Code Scanner is specifically designed for applications that necessitate barcode scanning without requiring a custom UI or specialized camera experience. The tool is conveniently integrated into Google Play Services.
On the other hand, ML Kit Barcode Scanning caters to more intricate use cases that demand a customized UI. The offering encompasses both an unbundled version downloadable through Play Services and a bundled version statically linked during app build time.
It’s worth mentioning that the QR code scanner in Android 13+ already utilizes ML Kit’s Barcode Scanning library. This fact gives rise to the possibility of future integration of the auto-zoom feature into the Android QR code scanner, as Google appears to be working towards this upgrade.