Instragram Introduces New Hyperlapse App for Taking Timelapse Videos in iOS
Instagram has just introduced a new app for the iPhone that allows users to record videos and instantly turn them into timelapse videos. The app takes advantage of the iPhone's built-in dynamic image stabilization to keep the timelapse looking smooth even at high playback speeds- all without the need for a tripod.
At the moment the app's developers have stated that it is only available on iOS and will not be coming to the Google Play Store until certain limitation's in the Android API are adjusted. Given that Hyperlapse utilizes integrated technology found in the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch, it is currently not available for other devices yet. Hyperlapse can record up to 45 minutes of video at one time on the iPhone 5, but only up to 10 minutes on the iPhone 4.
Simplistic Yet Effective
The interface is extremely user-friendly – even easier than using Instagram itself. You simply open the app, tap the area of the screen you want to focus on, click the record button, and when you're done you'll see the option to speed up the video up to 12x using a convenient slider. You'll also have the option to upload the timelapse to Instagram or Facebook.
You can move around as much as you want while recording and the resulting timelapse will still look relatively smooth. Of course, there can be some glitchy looking parts here and there if you shake the camera too rapidly, but for the most part you can record as you would a regular video and the dynamic image stabilization does a great job of eliminating the choppy/bouncy parts.
Not Quite a Replacement for Actual Timelapse Equipment
If you're asking yourself whether this means you can do away with your expensive camera equipment and tripod setup and start using only the Hyperlapse app to create high-quality timelapses, right now that answer is – you could, but don't fool yourself into thinking that it will create timelapses videos as good as the ones you've been taking with your camera setup.
Right now the app is simply a glorified steady-cam app with a built-in fast forward gimmick. However, when used properly it does create timelapse videos that are on par with some of the other quasi-timelapse videos that have surfaced on YouTube.
Jonas Ginter, who is known for making 360° time lapses, has also pointed out that there is no option to support wide angle or higher resolutions, and that the image quality and sharpness is lacking in comparison to timelapses made with a camera setup.
Using the App to Plan Better Timelapses
As far as using this app for commercial or professional timelapse development, it actually can play a very useful role in the pre-production planning process. For example, you find yourself riding down an interesting road or walking through a particularly scenic path, and you think to yourself “this would make a nice timelapse but I don't have my equipment with me.” Not a problem, pull out your iPhone (or iPad or iPod Touch), and start recording in Hyperlapse.
You can then use the apps to test out different angles, scope various spots, and plan the recording process that you'll use when recording the actual timelapse with your fancy equipment. Also, you have the option of hooking your phone to a quadcopter for even better stability, or attaching one of the many third-party lenses for the iPhone for a better image quality.
Instagram Competing in the App Market?
This is Instagram's second standalone addition to the app market, as they recently released a one-tap photo app called Bolt. Although this is only Instagram's second contribution to the app world, given that the company is owned by Facebook, we expect to see continued software development from the image-based social site in the future.
Demo?
While you download Hyperlapse for iOS, here's what it can do:
