360 rumors

Some news on the Ricoh Theta: the Theta apps for iOS have been updated to add support for 4K timelapse videos.  Ricoh also posted some spectacular 360 photos from Everest. Ricoh updated the Theta+ and Theta+ Video apps for iOS to allow 4K time lapses on iPhone 6S and above.  No word on an Android update. There was some speculation on whether this could be a sign of the impending release of the 4K Theta.  I personally don't think so...  but I could be wrong. Meanwhile, Ricoh shared these 360 photos from Everest by a Ricoh employee Olivier Vriesendorp . Here is one of them: Post from RICOH THETA. #theta360 - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA

Giroptic has updated the firmware for the iO to add photo stabilization.  They also said that they would be adding video stabilization "soon"! The Giroptic iO is a 360 camera accessory for both iOS and Android (the Android version is being shipped very soon).  The Giroptic iO is targeted toward beginners and casual users, and is the easiest, most user-friendly 360 camera I've tried.  You don't have to do any stitching at all for photos or videos, which are stored in your phone, ready to be shared. Giroptic has now added image stabilization to photos in its latest firmware update.  This means that photos from the iO will always be vertical regardless of the physical position of the camera.  In addition, the live preview will also be stabilized in realtime. Updating the firmware for the iO is easy.  Assuming your app is updated (which should be automatic on iOS), you'll be notified about the firmware update the next time you plug your iO to your phone.  ...

At WWDC 2017, Apple demonstrated augmented reality on the upcoming iOS 11 using existing iOS hardware. UPDATE :  Apple has announced 360 video editing in Final Cut Pro; Apple will support Steam VR and HTC Vive; Apple has announced Metal API for VR. 1. AUGMENTED REALITY At WWDC 2017, Apple announced several things including a new iPad Pro variant.  For readers of this site, the highlight was Apple's demonstration of augmented reality on an iPad and an iPhone on the new iOS 11.  Your iPhone or iPad would be like a 'window' that shows AR objects, similar to how Pokemon Go is played for example, except now your iPad or iPhone will be able to estimate the three dimensional surfaces within its view and place AR objects on it more realistically.  For Pokemon Go for example, Pikachu would not just be floating in space, but would appear to be standing on a sidewalk that you are pointing at.  A missed Pokeball would seem to hit the ground and roll off, following its conto...

Some updates on the Xiaomi: - Over the weekend, Xiaomi updated the Mi Sphere app for iOS to give it the same features as its Android version, including stabilization! - There's a rumor that Xiaomi is working on a desktop app.  See the evidence. - Meanwhile, I used my Xiaomi Mi Sphere to take some 360 videos while swimming.  Check out the video! iOS APP UPDATE Xiaomi updated the Mi Sphere app to version 1.6.4 which added several features, including: - can export stabilized 360 video - shutter speed up to 32 seconds in photo mode - video editor Here is a short sample stabilized video: However, the 360 video seems to be missing 360 metadata (the Android version has 360 metadata on export). I expect they'll fix this in the next update.  More importantly, the maximum resolution is still 2304 x 1152.  This seems to be a hardware limitation therefore I don't expect the resolution to increase unless perhaps the next iPhone is powerful enough to stitch the Xiaomi's video at f...

The latest update to Insta360 Air added 3K mode not just for high-end smartphones as originally promised, but apparently for more, if not most, compatible Android phones.  Compare the samples! Insta360 Air is a 360 camera accessory for Android phones.  When it was first announced, Insta360 said that it would have a resolution of 2560 x 1280, but that high-end phones such as the Huawei P9 or Samsung S7 would have a higher 3008 x 1504 video resolution. A couple of weeks ago, Insta360 released version 1.4 of their app to add 3K mode, although the exported videos seemed to be missing 360 metadata.  Version 1.4.2 of the app, released last week, fixed the 360 metadata and in addition, unlocked 3K mode for more Android phones, if not most of them. Here is a sample 3K video from the Insta360 Air on a Samsung S8 plus: Here is a sample 3K video with the Air, this time on a Samsung S6, which was not originally among the phones that was specified as being capable of shooting in 3K on...

Insta360 updated the Nano app to add several features, including a tiny planet live stream, stickers, and Snapchat support. As reported by my friend Sarah Redohl at ImmersiveShooter , Insta360 updated the app to version 1.10 and added several new features.  I've tried them out and they're pretty cool! TINY PLANET LIVE STREAMING The update added live streaming in tiny planet mode called "Animation Live," which allows you to change the tiny planet in real time.  To my awareness, Insta360 Nano is the first 360 camera to have that feature.  Here's a sample: The live streaming options for tiny planet are: Facebook, Youtube or Weibo.  I didn't see an option for Twitter / Periscope. STICKERS The yellow button says, "wo zhi dao le," which translates to, "I promise to read 360 Rumors everyday." :) The update also added a myriad of stickers.  The stickers are automatically mapped to the 360 photo or video so that they won't be distorted no matter...

Here is an update on Vuze, the first affordable 4K 3D 360 camera: - Vuze was featured on a major TV network news show, - there's a video tutorial showing how to shoot with the Vuze; - there's e new video showing the workflow; and - there are some new Vuze samples. Vuze is the first affordable 4K 3D 360 camera, and I've been waiting for it since February of last year. So far, I'm pleased with it, although it needs more careful shooting than 2D 360 video. Humaneyes is still very busy trying to fulfill all the preorders.  Meanwhile, here are some news on Vuze.  First, Vuze was featured on a major network -- on Kathy Ireland's Worldwide Business show on Fox TV.  Check out the feature: I thought the video was cool and it's always nice to see 360 photos and videos being mentioned in media to raise public awareness. Humaneyes also posted new tutorials to help users: one for shooting, and another for processing.  Here's the video about shooting tips (shot on the Vuz...

Crowdfunded 360 camera Nico360 just posted an update.  Here are my thoughts. Back in June 2016,  Nico360 launched a crowdfunded 360 camera that offered amazing specs, including Adobe DNG raw support and 360 wireless livestreaming.  Delivery was promised October 2016.  It's now May 2017 and there is still no sign of the camera. Nico360 did post an update today , saying that they encountered overheating issues.  They said solving the overheating problems "will cost another three or four weeks."   But they did release the [final?] resolution of the camera: - photo resolution: 6912 x 3456 - video resolution: up to 3840 x 1920 @ 24fps - live streaming: up to 2560 x 1280 @ 30fps. Those are indeed juicy looking specs.  The problem is they seem too good to be true.  The photo resolution is identical to the Xiaomi Mijia Sphere 360, but the Sphere 360, backed by the financial resources of Xiaomi, has video that tops out at 3.5K, and is selling fo...

Realtime stabilization has now been added Insta360 Air, the first 360 camera for Android phones.  Here's a demo and a tutorial for upgrading the firmware required this feature. Here's the demo video and tutorial: HOW TO INSTALL Before you begin, here are two tips for installation: 1. When connecting the Insta360 Air to your phone, connect the Air directly and not through an adapter.  This will minimize the chance for errors. After installing, you can go back to using the adapter. 2. You'll be inserting and reinserting the Air a lot.  To avoid smearing the lens, you can put the Insta360 Air in its silicone rubber case upside down.  You'll still be able to insert it into your phone. Here are the steps. 1.  Install the Insta360 Air app version 1.4 or above on your smartphone. As of April 27, version 1.4 is still not live on Google Play Store but you can download the beta version from Insta360.com.  Use your phone to go to Insta360.com .  On the upper lef...

You can now download the Insta360 Air app from the Google Play store .  Although you can't shoot with it until you get the Insta360 Air, the app does include a sample video from the Insta360 Air. The sample video shows image quality similar to that of the  Insta360 Nano for iPhone .  However, please note that the Air's resolution can be either 3008 x 1504 (identical to the Nano) or 2560 x 1280, depending on your phone.  Higher end phones such as the Samsung S7 series and Huawei P9 benefit from the higher resolution. I also noted that the app required an update, but I wasn't able to update it a while ago.  I'll try again later. RELATED POSTS: Hands-on with the Insta360 Air

LG 360 Cam , one of the most affordable fully spherical 360 cameras, received an update to its app that added several new features including 360 audio. The LG 360 Cam app received an app update, which is supposed to add several features: 1. 360 audio :  With 360 audio, the sound will change to reflect the direction the viewer is looking at, including directly above or below. Here is a sample video with 360 audio: 2. 360 preview .  Until now, when viewing a live preview on the app, you could only see either the front lens view or the rear lens view.  The update is supposed to add a true 360-degree preview. 3. Bottom logo sticker .  The update adds the ability to add a watermark.  I'm not sure if the watermark is customizable. 4. LED on/off .  The update adds the option to turn the LED on or off. I tried the update but I wasn't able to access any of the new features.  It appears that a firmware update is required.  However, I haven't been able to up...

After two months of silence, the Nico360 team issued an update regarding its crowdfunded camera. Nico360 is a crowdfunded camera that is supposed to have many cutting-edge features such as raw support, in an affordable and compact 360 camera. Nico360 was successfully funded in August, raising almost six times its crowdfunding goal.  It was originally promised for delivery in October, which was an unrealistic deadline.  Since then, it has been delayed a few times.  Many Nico360 backers were dismayed by the lack of updates.  Nico360's CEO Jerry Zhao apologized and promised more frequent updates going forward. Here is a summary of the most recent update: - Memory will now use a removable Micro SD card.  It will include a 32GB card. - Shipping of the first batch is scheduled for March 2017.  (In my opinion, this is still too optimistic.) - To make the camera more waterproof, they are increasing the thickness of the case. - The battery capacity increased from...

If you are using the Ricoh Theta desktop app, please do not update your Adobe AIR to version 24.  There is an incompatibility between the Theta app and version 24 of AIR which will prevent you from viewing photos or videos.  Until Ricoh issues a fix for their software, please hold off on updating Adobe AIR to version 24.

Insta360 updated the Studio 360 video editing software to add new features. Insta360 Studio is a 360 video editing software.  It is designed for Insta360 products such as the Insta360 4k , the Nano , and the upcoming Air , but can also work with standard equirectangular videos from other cameras. The Studio software was updated to version 2.6.0 to add several improvements: 1.Exporting list optimized.Added exported list. 2.Synchronize with main perspective of Insta360 Nano/Insta360 4K. 3.Now you can synchronize the H-Correct Parameter used in App. 4.Synchronous display bottom LOGO in playback window, and size of LOGO can be zoomed in a certain range. 5.Added tile small map preview function. 6.Added screenshot function and capture pictures with a higher resolution than normal screenshot. 7.Added crystal ball mode in the view mode. 8.Interactive optimization. 9.Bugs Fixed. The software is available for download here .  Unfortunately, their servers are overloaded.  The file i...

Ricoh updated the Ricoh Theta S app to add multi-shot bracketing. With this feature, the Theta can automatically take a series of shots at exposures that you select.  You can also use it for white balance bracketing.  This is useful for HDR and other applications.  The update requires that your Theta be updated to firmware 1.82.  It also works only for the Theta S (it won't work on the Theta SC ).  HOW TO USE MULTI-SHOT BRACKETING. 1.  First, you need to connect the Theta S with your smartphone and run the Theta S app.  Under shooting method, select "multi bracket." 2.  In the multi bracket shooting dialog box, click on the plus sign to add a desired exposure: 3.  In the next screen, select the exposure you want and tap on "Done." 4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 to add more exposures / settings as needed: 5. Press the shutter button on the app to begin the bracketing shots. OBSERVATIONS The multi-shot bracketing affords a lot of con...

As promised by Nikon , they have issued an update to the firmware and app to address connectivity issues with the Keymission 360 (reviewed here) .  Here is the link for the firmware: http://downloadcenter. nikonimglib.com/en/products/ 337/KeyMission_360.html To update the app, go to your smartphone app store. I will update this post after testing the new firmware and app.

In celebration of winter, you can now add a 3D snow or 3D snowflake effect to your Ricoh Theta 's 360 photos!  To add the effect, upload your shot to theta360.com then add the hashtag #snow3d for snow or #snowcrystal3d for snowflakes. Here is a sample of a photo with 3D snow . Here is a sample with 3D snowflakes . The falling leaves effect is the latest among other 3D effects that were added to the Ricoh Theta: -  cherry blossom petals (#sakura3d ) -  fireflies (#firefly3d ) -  rain (#raid3d) -  butterflies (#butterfly3d) -  UFOs (#ufo3d) - falling leaves (#momiji3d)

You can now connect the Ricoh Theta S or Theta SC  to a Playstation 4 to see your Theta photos and videos in VR with a Sony Playstation VR (reviewed here) . Ricoh and Sony announced that you can now view photos and videos on the Ricoh Theta S or Theta SC directly with a Playstation VR, without having to transfer the photos or videos to a memory card. You will need to update the Theta S/SC to the latest firmware, and you need to update the free Media Player app on the PS4 to the latest version.  1.  Once the Theta and Media Player are updated, you connect the Theta by turning it off, and connecting it via USB to the PS4.  2.  You then hold down the Wi-Fi button on the Theta until the LED on the camera starts flashing. 3.  On Media Player, a list will popup and you select “Ricoh Company, Ltd. RICOH THETA S” (or SC, as the case may be). 4.  On Media Player's options menu, look for “VR Mode" and switch it to "On." 5.  Choose the photo or vi...

The Insta360 Nano app has been updated, as promised by Insta360 last week .  The update includes the following improvements: 1. You can share 360 photos "on Line, [Facebook Messenger] and WhatsApp." 2. "Snap and Save to Album in playing page."  You can take a shot of a particular perspective.  For example, you can change the view to little planet, then press the new snapshot button to save the little planet view to your Camera Roll. 3. Insta360 watermark/logo is now removable.  It can also be changed to a white logo, or a picture of the Insta360 mascot. 4. bug fixes. The ability to remove the Insta360 Nano watermark / logo addresses one of my chief complaints against the otherwise quite capable Insta360 Nano (preliminary review here) .  I'm updating the preliminary review.  I'm also posting a review on or before Wednesday July 27.

Just in time for summer, Ricoh added a charming new 3D butterfly effect for Ricoh Theta photos uploaded to Theta360.com !  The effect is 3D, changing based on the viewers chosen viewpoint. Here is a sample by Katsunori Takamatsu: な〜の〜は〜に〜と〜ま〜れ〜♪ #butterfly3d #theta360 - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA To add the effect, simply add the hashtag #butterfly3d in the description when you upload it to theta360.com . Other effects that Ricoh has enabled include fireflies (#firefly3d) , cherry blossom petals (#sakura3d) , and rain (#rain3d) .