Cycloramic App Captures Hands-Free 360 Degree Video Using iPhone's Vibrate Motor

[MacRumors]

Cycloramic is a clever panoramic video app that was released earlier this week. Unlike most panorama apps available for the iPhone, Cycloramic doesn't require users to hold the phone steady while rotating in a circle.

Instead, the app takes advantage of the strong vibrating feature of the iPhone. When balanced on a flat surface such as a granite countertop, the phone will spin on its own, capturing a hands-free 360 degree video using either the front-facing or rear camera. TechCrunch has a rundown on how it works:

Start by balancing your phone upright on a flat surface (a granite countertop or glass table). The surface has to be really smooth, so don't expect any non-laminated wood or tiles to work.

Once you press "GO", the app will make the phone vibrate at just the right frequencies to force to phone into a twirl. Your iPhone will continue to spin in a circle, which recording video, until you press the "STOP" button.

Though Cycloramic will work with the iPhone 4/4S, it was designed for the iPhone 5's lightweight form factor, which means the older iPhones won't spin as well. The phone must also be set to "Vibrate on Silent" and "Vibrate on Ring" to function properly.

Cycloramic can be downloaded from the App Store for $0.99. [Direct Link]

Article Link: Cycloramic App Captures Hands-Free 360 Degree Video Using iPhone's Vibrate Motor

[szw-mapple fan]

Originally Posted by MacRumors

Image

Image

Cycloramic is a clever panoramic video app that was released earlier this week. Unlike most panorama apps available for the iPhone, Cycloramic doesn't require users to hold the phone steady while rotating in a circle.

Instead, the app takes advantage of the strong vibrating feature of the iPhone. When balanced on a flat surface such as a granite countertop, the phone will spin on its own, capturing a hands-free 360 degree video using either the front-facing or rear camera. TechCrunch has a rundown on how it works:

YouTube: video

Though Cycloramic will work with the iPhone 4/4S, it was designed for the iPhone 5's lightweight form factor, which means the older iPhones won't spin as well. The phone must also be set to "Vibrate on Silent" and "Vibrate on Ring" to function properly.

Cycloramic can be downloaded from the App Store for $0.99. [Direct Link]

Article Link: Cycloramic App Captures Hands-Free 360 Degree Video Using iPhone's Vibrate Motor

that is so cool

[illegalprelude]

I've been using this app on my iPhone 5 all day and it still blows my mind that it actually works.

[FooMan2011]

Sounds cool... Don't know if spending a dollar's worth finding out.

[ChristianJapan]

Some people are really creative ... Great idea. Well done in realization.

[caspersoong]

Won't cases pose a problem?

[Lancer]

I must agree that is very cool!

[Feltzem]

Wow, I just tried it and it actually works! So cool. It would make for a pretty good party trick - hey look, my phone can spin round in a circle by itself!

[troop231]

Originally Posted by caspersoong

Won't cases pose a problem?

You're casing it wrong

[Michael Scrip]

Are there any examples of the finished video? I'd love to see what this actually does.

All I can find is a video of the camera.

EDIT: I just found some on Youtube. Still wondering why they never showed an example in the article.

[deannnnn]

This is one of those things where the coolness factor totally outweighs the usefulness factor.

[-BigMac-]

Originally Posted by caspersoong

Won't cases pose a problem?

if you have a case you obviously wont be using the app. or take the case off. easy?

[dokujaryu]

I only have one thing to say to this: "Lollollollol"

[Ruahrc]

Now let's see it work on a rough picnic table. Or a railing edge. Or a slanted rock. Or a sandy beach. Or a car dashboard. Or your knee. It seems to me that almost anywhere you would actually want to take a panoramic photo seems like it would be impossible for this to function. Unless you like taking panoramas of your desk or living room.

[CTYankee]

YOU'RE NOT SHOOTING THAT RIGHT, DUMMY!

http://youtu.be/Bt9zSfinwFA

[HiRez]

Kinda weird they didn't show an examples of the finished panorama int he video, just the phone spinning around over and over again.

[rman726]

Totally worth the 99 cent admission price.

[carlos916]

Looks like fun until the phone gets all scratched up from the bottom.. And funny that the phone they use on the video is all used and abused .. Nevertheless its a cool app

[reden]

Originally Posted by illegalprelude

I've been using this app on my iPhone 5 all day and it still blows my mind that it actually works.

I hope your head's okay.

[TimDaddy]

So, who wants to invest in a company to make little ceramic disks you carry with you to locations that you may wish to use this?

[kevinkt]

Promo video recorded with my left shoe. Edited with my right shoe.

[notjustjay]

"Hey guys, watch this, I'm going to take a panoramic shot of the Grand Cany- oops!"

[Oohara]

What a disturbing little video clip...Jobs' face so awkward lol. And one rotation would have been quite enough - show the results afterwards instead!

Really cool app though.

[mrsir2009]

Originally Posted by carlos916

Looks like fun until the phone gets all scratched up from the bottom.

Oh my god! My phone has tiny hair-scratches on the side that you need to squint your eyes in just the right way to see! Life's not worth living!

[Tha Professor]

Originally Posted by TimDaddy

So, who wants to invest in a company to make little ceramic disks you carry with you to locations that you may wish to use this?

I am sure Will.I.Am would love to invest! Along with a rolling wheels case for iPhone and accessories...