Apple
How to Use Cycloramic with the iPhone 6
Panorama photos are a great way to get a sense of the shear size of the landscape or environment that you’re looking at, even if you can’t be there live.
While Apple has its own panorama feature in the iOS Camera app, there’s only been one app that takes panoramic photos hands-free. The app is called Cycloramic, and it was first introduced back in 2012 after the iPhone 5 released. The app developers took advantage of the flat-edged design of the new iPhone and used the device’s vibration motor to automatically allow it to spin around while standing up, capturing a complete 360-degree panorama in the process.
It’s quite a unique app, but the iPhone 6’s new curved edges make the Cycloramic app completely obsolete. The device can’t stand up by itself, so what is there left to do?
Fortunately, the developers of Cycloramic have thought of a clever solution, although you’ll need an extra tool for the app to work with your iPhone 6. The good news is, this extra tool came included with your iPhone 6, so there’s no need to buy an extra accessory to get the app to work with the new device.
The extra accessory that you’ll need is the wall charger that came with your iPhone 6. If you’re not quite sure how that will work exactly, here’s how to use Cycloramic with the iPhone 6.
Hands-Free Panoramas
First off, before you even take the panoramic photo with Cycloramic, you’ll need to get the new Cycloramic app that works with the iPhone 6. It costs $1.99 in the iTunes App Store, and if you’re whining about having to pay for a newer version of the app, blame it on Apple.
Once the app is downloaded, open it up and tap on the red circular arrow at the bottom to begin.
There are two modes in Cycloramic: Guided and Handsfree. Guided mode is essentially just like Apple’s built-in panoramic feature in the iOS 8 Camera app, whereas Handsfree mode is the one you want. Select Handsfree if it isn’t already selected.
Because of how you have to use the app with the iPhone 6, you can only use the Handsfree mode horizontally with the front-facing camera.
Now, set the wall charger on a flat surface with the prongs facing upwards. Place the iPhone 6 horizontally in between the two prongs so that the screen is slanted upwards (and the back is slanted downwards). You’re essentially using the wall charger as a stand for the iPhone 6 as it rotates around.
All that’s left to do is begin the panorama! Sit back and watch as your iPhone 6 completely rotates 360 degrees just by using its own vibration motor and the help from the wall charger.
When it’s done, it will automatically save the panorama to your Photos app, and from there, you can share it however you’d like.
The Cycloramic app’s Guided mode is essentially just like Apple’s built-in Panorama feature in the iOS Camera app, where you start from one side and slowly pan over the landscape while keeping your phone as level as possible. It’s a cool feature in the Cycloramic app, but it’s rather unneeded since the iOS Camera app already has it built-in.
The real feature is the handsfree mode, which is worth the $1.99 just by itself. If you never want to take a selfie photo with a large group of friends, the Cycloramic app is an effective and fun way to do just that.