As you probably already know, yesterday morning Instagram released the Hyperlapse app (iOS only, sorry, Android and Windows folks), which, they say "shoots polished time lapse videos that were previously impossible without bulky tripods and expensive equipment." Sounds exciting!
The app, which was announced to uncharacteristic raves like "Hyperlapse, Instagram’s New App, Is Like a $15,000 Video Setup in Your Hand" and "Instagram’s New Hyperlapse App Turns Anyone Into A Professional Videographer" from typically-skeptical publications like (respectively) Wired and Consumerist, seems pretty easy to use: you just point, take your video, pick a time-lapse speed and, if you so choose, share, preferably avoiding audience-vomit in the process.
You don't even have to be an Instagram user to use the app, as the video is saved to your devices's camera roll, from which you can send/share anywhere you choose.
My favorite Hyperlapse I've seen so far was taken by Hapa Ramen's Ritchie Nakano:
And, for artistic (and popularity, ouch) contrast, here's one I took of a dog I'm currently caring for:
The biggest bummer, so far, is that the Instagram app shares a name with a preexisting app that's been in business for about a year (you were probably sent to this app if you searched for Instagram's new release yesterday). Created by developer Jeroen van den Belt, the OG Hyperlapse "lets users pick starting and ending points on a map and then compiles a street view video of the journey," the Chron reports.
Though an Instagram spokesperson appeared to pooh-pooh any name confusion concerns, saying that "Hyperlapse is actually an industry term," van den Belt says "he plans to call Instagram."
So, did no one at Instagram Google the product name? Or were they aware of the preexisting Hyperlapse and they just didn't care? Is a name-based showdown in the works? Obviously, it's too soon to tell. Whatever they call it, your Instagram feed is likely to fill up with super-speedy video for at least the next few days, until everyone gets sick of it.
Have you seen any Hyperlapses you particularly love (or hate, we like to hate things, too)? Let's see some links, people.
[Wired]
[Consumerist]
[Cnet]
[Wired]
[Chron]