Reading Glasses — our magnifier app — has just received its most significant update yet. The app is now fully compatible with Android 16 (API 36), rebuilt from the ground up with modern Android components.
Migration to CameraX
The biggest change under the hood is the migration from Camera1 API to CameraX. This brings several advantages:
- Better compatibility across a wider range of Android devices
- More reliable camera lifecycle management
- Easier access to stabilization features built into modern hardware
Improved stabilization
The new version combines hardware stabilization (OIS and EIS, when available on your device) with a software-based temporal blending technique. The result is a noticeably smoother image, especially useful when holding the phone at arm's length to read small text.
What's next
With the core modernization complete, future updates will focus on quality-of-life improvements: better zoom controls, improved torch behavior and minor UI refinements.
Reading Glasses is available for free on the Google Play Store, with an optional one-time purchase to remove ads.