To: Google LLC, The Google Pixel Team, The Android Camera Team

Why this is important:

For years, Photo Sphere has been a beloved and groundbreaking feature within the Google Camera app, allowing users to capture stunning, immersive 360-degree panoramas that truly transport viewers into a scene. From breathtaking mountain ranges and expansive cityscapes to the cozy interiors of our homes and vibrant event spaces, Photo Sphere empowers us to document our world in a way traditional photos simply cannot.

Imagine standing atop a majestic peak, wanting to capture the entire sweep of the landscape around you. Or perhaps you're visiting a new city and want to remember the full grandeur of a historic cathedral interior. Photo Sphere was the perfect tool for these moments, creating incredibly detailed and shareable experiences.

Photo sphere also helped people add 360 pictures to google maps and which served a great purpose in maps app. Discontinuing Photo Sphere takes away that ability to contribute to google maps.

The Problem:

Shockingly, with the release of the Pixel 8 and now the Pixel 9, this invaluable feature has been inexplicably removed from the native camera app. This decision makes absolutely no sense. Photo Sphere is not a new or experimental technology; it has been a stable, functional, and much-loved part of the Pixel and broader Android ecosystem for years. It still exists and functions perfectly on older Pixel devices and even within Google Street View.

Why the Discontinuation is Frustrating and Illogical:

Undermining the "Best Camera" Mantra: Pixel phones are renowned for their camera capabilities and computational photography. Removing a unique and powerful feature like Photo Sphere feels like a step backward, diminishing the very camera experience that attracts many users to the Pixel line.

Existing Technology: The core technology for Photo Sphere is mature and readily available. Reintegrating it into the Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 camera apps should require minimal effort, especially compared to developing entirely new features.

Downgrade, Not Upgrade: For users upgrading from older Pixels, losing Photo Sphere feels like a downgrade, not an improvement. We invested in your latest flagships expecting more capabilities, not fewer.

Missed Opportunities for Creativity: Photo Sphere opens up unique creative avenues for photographers, real estate agents, travelers, and anyone wanting to share a truly immersive perspective. Removing it limits our ability to tell richer visual stories.
We, the passionate users of Google Pixel phones, are asking Google to listen to its community.

We chose Pixel for its innovative camera and user-centric features. Photo Sphere is a vital part of that experience. It allows us to capture memories and landscapes in a way no other native feature can. Its absence is keenly felt, and its return would be a tremendous goodwill gesture to your loyal user base.

Please sign this petition to urge Google to reinstate Photo Sphere in the native camera application for Pixel 8, Pixel 9, and all future Pixel devices. Let's make sure the Pixel camera continues to be a leader in every aspect of photography, including immersive 360-degree capture.

Bring back Photo Sphere. Bring back the complete Pixel camera experience!