What a way to start our favorite day of the week - Update Wednesday! Google just dropped the official Camera app into the Play Store, thus paving the way for quicker updates and new features without having to wait for and install OTAs.

The new camera version 2.1.037 has a brand new interface and includes a new lens blur feature for more DSLR-like shots, which you can read about here. Another important update includes the previously rumored 100% viewfinder fix, which means the final photo will look exactly the same as it does on the viewfinder screen. Panoramic photospheres can now be captured in a whopping 50MP resolution if you change the settings to Maximum quality. Oh, and check out that new icon.

To grab the updated app, you'll need a device running KitKat - sorry, users of Jelly Bean and below. The good news, however, is that it's compatible with devices other than Nexuses and GPEs - for example, I just installed it on my Note 3.

So, what are you waiting for? Gogogo grab it!

Update #1: APK added.

Update #2: Check out what happens when you try to take a portrait video.

Update #3: Here's our hands-on with the Lens Blur effect.

Update #4: Here's the relevant announcement:

Today we’re launching Google Camera, a new app for your Android phone or tablet that makes it easy to take quick photos and videos. And being behind the lens just got more fun with new creative picture modes. Sleek Design. The 100% viewfinder gets out of your way while capturing the maximum resolution of the scene (no dropped pixels). And the extra large capture button is easy to press so your eyes never lose sight of the subject. Lens Blur. Emphasize the subject while blurring the background for an SLR-like shot with shallow depth-of-field (or bokeh). You can even change the subject in focus after taking the shot. Improved Panorama. New higher resolution panoramas capture the full width and detail of a scene. Photo Sphere. Immersive 360 degree photo spheres let you look up, down and all around...now at up to 50 megapixels! For the first time available on non-Nexus devices. Google Camera is now available on the Play store (http://goo.gl/llsZjx), and works on all phones and tablets running Android 4.4+ KitKat. We’re just getting started, and in the months ahead we'll make Google Camera available to more devices, helping make photography easier, faster and more fun. Check out our Research Blog to learn more (http://goo.gl/lUDfi8).﻿

Google Camera snaps quick and easy photos and videos, and has creative picture modes like Photo Sphere, Lens Blur and Panorama. Features

• Photo Spheres for immersive 360º views

• Lens Blur mode for SLR-like photos with shallow depth of field

• Panorama mode with high resolution

• 100% viewfinder for getting the maximum resolution from the sensor (no dropped pixels)

• Updated UI that gets out of your way and is centered on an extra large capture button

• Works on phones and tablets running Android 4.4+ KitKat

Download

The APK is signed by Google and upgrades your existing app. The cryptographic signature guarantees that the file is safe to install and was not tampered with in any way. Rather than wait for Google to push this download to your devices, which can take days, download and install it just like any other APK.

File name: com.google.android.GoogleCamera-2.1.037 (1122348-30).apk.

Version: 2.1.037 (1122348-30) (Android 4.4+).

MD5: 9bee0a4fcb0d74b9492a7dda5e0498f4.

Thanks to everyone who sent this in!