Google is a massive corporation, and as such, it has taken down a large number of features and applications in the past. The latest casualty of this practice was the Measure app. It was quietly retired recently, as it became unavailable on Google Play, and support for the app also ended. Measure started as an app for Google’s defunct Tango AR platform and developed further when the tech giant expanded its availability to smartphones supporting ARCore back in 2018.
Google Has Confirmed That They Can No Longer Support the Measure App
In a recent statement, Google has confirmed that they are no longer going to support ongoing maintenance for their Measure app. Instead, they have recommended trying one of the many alternatives currently available in the Play Store.
The Measure App Will Not Show Up On Google Play
While the Measure app will no longer show up on Google Play, people who have previously installed it on their devices will see a message that states the app is not supported and won’t be updated. However, users who already have the app will be able to continue using it if they still have it installed.
The Measure app was meant to allow any user to turn a mobile device into a virtual tape measure that can be used to measure the dimensions of real-world objects. All users had to do was point the camera at an object, and that would give its dimensions. However, the reviews that many users left on Google Play pointed out that the app was unstable and quite prone to crashes. To top that off, its measurements weren’t very accurate either and its features were quite buggy.
To salvage the situation, Google rolled out more unit conversions during the last year, but the big updates for the app were few and very far between. The slow and sporadic overall development undoubtedly led to the demise of the Measure app and many believe it was a long time coming.
Nikon Has Released New Software That Turns Its Cameras Into Webcams
Owners of fancy DSLR and mirrorless cameras can now use them as high-end webcams with the help of the new software that Nikon has just released. Many big camera makers have already rolled out similar software during the past several months, especially with the rise of video calls during the past year. Nikon’s new Webcam Utility Software can easily be used via USB, and the developers say it is ideal for people seeking to create a high-quality video stream.
Nikon Says the New Software Requires No Additional Hardware
The setup for Nikon’s new software is simple and requires no other hardware. It is ideal for both video conference calls and live-streaming, making it perfect for aspiring Twitch superstars. To help its clients enhance the experience, Nikon recommends using a tripod or a clamp as a mount. Also, people can add a constant light source to their setup for better lighting, as well as an external microphone. With a high-quality camera working as a webcam, an aspiring streamer should only worry about creating good, engaging content.
The Webcam Utility Software Is Available for Both Windows 10 and macOS
Nikon offers its new software for free, at least while it is still in its beta. While a few months ago it only supported Windows devices, the software has now expanded and is compatible with both Windows 10 and macOS. The setup is as complicated as plugging in the USB cable, and once the camera is connected, it can be used for any compatible video conferencing software, including Zoom, Google Meet, Facebook Messenger, Microsoft Teams, and Skype.
Unlike existing third-party software, the Webcam Utility Software allows a wider range of Nikon cameras to be turned into webcams. It currently supports many models, including Z 7, Z 7II, Z 6, Z 6II, Z 50, Z 5, D5, D6, D500, D750, D780, D810, D850, D3500, D5300 D5500, D5600, D7200, and D7500. Nikon has also stated that the new utility will work with the company’s upcoming models