Phone boss explains how YouTuber was able to access 'secret X-ray camera' that can see through objects on Android phone
After a YouTuber found out that a new smartphone has the capability to turn one of its cameras into an 'x-ray device', the mobile’s creator has settled the score on what was really happening.
On 12 July, user @purely_maxwell posted a Reel on Instagram where he claimed: “We have a problem.”
The tech buff discovered you could manipulate its camera to see through certain objects, like a TV remote for example.
This smartphone, named the CMF Phone 1, was released by Nothing, which is a company dedicated to blending accessibility with leading user experience while ‘injecting fun into a boring industry’.
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But the technology is already causing controversy after the social media user discovered how you can turn the phone’s camera into an ‘X-ray device’ and the implications it brings along with it.
Following the now-viral video, Nothing co-founder Akis Evangelidis shared exactly how the tech enthusiast was able to do it.
Taking to X just one day after the user posted his video, the businessman wrote: “At Nothing, we have some of the most knowledgeable and crafty users in the world.
“It's also fair to say that our popularity attracts a lot of scrutiny. Ultimately, this drives continuous improvement, benefiting users - so we see it as a good thing.”
He said there are ‘hundreds of millions of these camera depth sensors’ on the market, the CMF Phone 1 user went the ‘extra mile and accessed the output of the depth sensor via a third-party app in developer mode, achieving a see-through effect.’
Explaining how it works, he added: “We use triangulation to generate depth-of-field data by collecting images from the depth sensor and main camera to create cut-outs and apply blur effects using specific algorithms for the portrait mode.
“Unlike typical cameras, our depth sensor doesn't have an infrared light filter, enhancing its light-capturing ability.
“By definition, this includes infrared light, which can sometimes reveal the internal structure of thin or semi-transparent objects, especially when it's black acrylic material.”
But he went on to note that while users can’t access this ‘depth sensor output via the Nothing camera app’, he knows the viral clip could ‘raise some concerns’ about its abilities.
“As a result, we will restrict third-party apps from accessing the depth sensor output through a software update expected within a week.”
The video Maxwell posted gained immense traction online, and it even divided opinions on the internet.
In his video, he said: “Here we have the latest phone from Nothing, the CMF Phone 1 and I’ve been using it for a little while now.”
He said he was confused about one of the two cameras and elected to download a third-party camera port in hopes he could switch the camera.
He said: “It appeared to be a low-res monochrome camera - that is until I accidentally pointed it against my TV remote.”
In the clip, Maxwell can be seen positioning the camera over the back of his remote which showed the batteries through the cover.
In another video posted to YouTube, Maxwell explained how he could see through a black bin bag ans a grey t-shirt.
After watching the clip, fans flocked to X to express their surprise.
One user typed: “Camera evolution is going at good speed. Next target for camera to zoom to other planet species and find aliens.”
A second joked: “Now I can find out the amount of Lays in a packet.”
“I was thinking to buy the phone only to use this,” penned another user.
Topics: Technology, News, Instagram, Social Media
Britt Jones