What Google Clips Is

Google’s camera is similar to competitive products that have come before it. Action and lifelogger
cameras, such as the GoPro Hero and Narrative Clip 2, respectively, are portable and typically
capture imagery while worn on the body. Smart home security cameras (Clips resembles the Blink
security camera) save local or cloud recordings and allow real-time monitoring. Modern mobile
devices, apps, and digital cameras have intelligent face and eye detection features for improved
photography.

What The Google Clips Camera Is Not

The Google Clips camera is meant to be a hands-free accessory that takes candid photos without
any intervention. It can replace the need for a selfie stick or a dedicated photographer.

Google

One of the Clips camera’s biggest strengths is its simplicity, which also means a number of
situational limitations.

Google Clips is not a point-and-shoot camera: You can turn the Clips camera on and off as well as
initiate recording through the manual button on the front. But that’s it. There is no LCD screen, no
viewfinder, and no settings or controls to adjust. Everything — particularly captured content — is
performed automatically by the internal hardware and software.

Google Clips is not a security or spy camera or nannycam: The Clips camera records motion
photos (without audio, it doesn't have a microphone) at 15 frames-per-second (FPS) for several
seconds at a time. Home security cameras continuously record video with audio at 30 FPS. Google
Clips has a white exterior, visible LED that glows while recording, and lasts up to three hours per
charge, which makes it a poor substitute for a security, spy, or nanny camera.

Google Clips is not cloud- or network-connected: The Clips camera features Wi-Fi Direct and
Bluetooth LE, which allows direct pairing to smartphones to view and share videos (using the
Clips app for Android or iOS). Unlike surveillance cameras that require a network connection for
recording, replays, or real-time monitoring, Clips is completely self-contained, private, and secure.
All data stays on the unit until sent to a mobile device (the transfer is also encrypted).

Google Clips is not an action or lifelogging camera: Although the Clips camera can be worn
(using the included clip stand), it performs best when placed in a fixed location — stable shots
tend to have better focus. The clip stand allows for spontaneous and unique perspectives (for
example, when attached to the backs of chairs, ends of tables, or strollers) without having to
engineer a solution.

Google Clips is not for trips or vacations: The Clips camera features Google’s Moment IQ
machine learning algorithm, which is designed to recognize lighting, framing, facial expressions,
and more and capture great photos. The algorithm focuses on people and pets (common ones, such
as dogs and cats), especially those seen more often. As of yet, Google Clips is inadequate for
taking pictures of landscapes, buildings, random objects, or strangers.

Google Clips won’t work with all phones: Clips is compatible only with select Android (running
Android 7.0 Nougat and higher) and iOS (running iOS 10 or higher) smartphones.