Adobe just dropped a new iPhone camera app, and it’s got serious brains behind it.
The app is called Project Indigo, and it quietly launched last week through Adobe Labs. What makes it special? Well, it’s built to take your everyday iPhone photos and make them look like they came out of a professional camera — all with a little help from computational photography.
If that term sounds familiar, it’s because Marc Levoy — the guy who helped Google’s Pixel cameras look so good — is one of the minds behind this app too.
What Is Project Indigo, and Why Should You Care?
Project Indigo isn’t your standard camera app. Instead of snapping one photo, it captures a burst of images each time you hit the shutter. Then, it combines the best parts of each shot to give you one final image that’s:
- Sharper
- Less noisy
- Better balanced between light and dark
- Just plain nicer to look at
The idea is to give photos that natural, DSLR-like feel — the kind that looks good even when you zoom in or view it on a big screen.
Who Can Use It?
If you’ve got an iPhone, you might be in luck.
Project Indigo works on:
- iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max
- iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max
- All iPhone 14 models
- And of course, newer models like the iPhone 15 Pro and up, which Adobe says are best for the full experience
No need to log in or sign up for anything. Just download and go.
The Cool Stuff It Can Do
This app is built for people who like having a bit more control over their shots — but don’t want to lug around a big camera.
Here’s what you get:
- Manual settings for focus, shutter speed, ISO, and white balance
- Smart photo blending for lower noise and better dynamic range
- A clean, easy-to-use interface
- No Adobe account required
- That “I can’t believe this was taken on a phone” look
Whether you’re shooting landscapes, portraits, or low-light scenes, Indigo helps your photos look more polished without filters or editing.
More Than Just a Camera App
What’s really interesting is that Indigo is more than just an app — it’s a testing ground for Adobe’s future tools.
In a blog post, Levoy and fellow Adobe scientist Florian Kainz explained that this is just the start. They’re already working on adding features like:
- A portrait mode
- Video recording
- A tool to remove reflections from glass
- Even an Android version down the road
Adobe wants Indigo to be the bridge between mobile photography and pro-level editing, powered by computational photography and AI.
Why It Matters
For years, smartphones have been getting better and better at photography. But what Adobe is doing here is different. Instead of chasing gimmicks, they’re trying to make your phone feel more like a real camera — one that thinks before it snaps.
And with people like Marc Levoy — the same expert who helped revolutionize smartphone photography at Google — now leading this charge at Adobe, it’s safe to say this app could have a big impact.
Whether you’re a casual shooter, a photo hobbyist, or just someone who wants better-looking pictures, Project Indigo offers a new way to see the world through your lens.
Quick Recap: What You Need to Know
- Project Indigo is a new camera app from Adobe Labs
- It works on newer iPhones (iPhone 12 Pro and up)
- No login or Adobe account required
- Uses smart photo blending for clearer, better-balanced photos
- Includes manual controls for advanced users
- Built by the same guy who made Pixel cameras amazing
- More features — including video and Android support — are on the way
Final Thoughts
If you’re someone who loves taking photos on your phone but wishes they looked a little more professional — this app is for you.
It’s simple enough for casual users but powerful enough for people who want full control over how their shots turn out. And since it’s free and easy to try, there’s really no reason not to give it a go.
You can download Project Indigo now through Adobe Labs and start snapping right away.