Capture iPhone videos in panoramic glory with Dot
— -- Even back in June when the Dot iPhone camera accessory from Kogeto was a wee Kickstarter project, it seemed like a pretty neat idea. Now, the Dot is all grown up and out in the world, and we've got one in our hands to see how it works in practice.
360-degree video with your iPhone
The Dot is a relatively simple accessory with one goal: It lets you shoot panoramic 360-degree video with your iPhone. But unlike most other panoramic photo accessories, the Dot handles the processing and presentation of your videos a little differently. Once the video is processed, you can watch it directly on your phone, navigating the panoramic footage by swiping your finger as you watch.
Upload your video to Kogeto's DotSpots website to share it with the world. Videos uploaded in this way can also be navigated by clicking and dragging to spin the view around (for folks who aren't using touch-sensitive devices). Browse through a fascinating collection of videos on DotSpots, including everything from the view at the bottom of a skateboarding pool to a mini-tour of Canal Street in New Orleans.
How it works
The Dot consists of two parts — the physical accessory itself and the app that records and processes the video. The app, Looker, is free. The Dot itself is a lens attached to a plastic frame that clips onto your iPhone, simple to install and remove. The Dot's drawstring, microfiber cloth carrying case doubles as a lens cleaning cloth.
To make your own panoramic video, download and install Looker, attach the Dot, and launch the app. All you need to do to record a video is tap the record button on the Shoot tab.
Before you begin recording, however, there's one important additional step to take. See that big red circle? That's a calibration tool. Center that circle around what you're seeing on the screen. Don't worry if you can't actually make much of anything out — it will become clear after everything's de-warped during processing. If the red circle isn't centered, your video will end up an unwatchable mess. We figured this out through frustrating trial and error. Unfortunately, it's not spelled out anywhere in the initial documentation we received with the Dot, so learn from our mistake!
You shouldn't have to recalibrate very often, but definitely take a glance at this setting before you shoot any once-in-a-lifetime video.
Why it's cool
The Dot is, admittedly, something of a gimmick. That said, it's a pretty fun gimmick with a plethora of applications. Taking video of a concert or a sporting event with both the performers and the audience in the shot adds dimension and immersion for viewers. You could also record an interview and capture both the interviewer and the interviewee without having to use cuts and editing. Capture the entire scene at a festival without having to rotate your camera, which can be bumpy and jerky if you don't have a tripod.
Ease of installation and use are definitely the Dot's strong points. Assuming you have a strong data connection, it might actually take you longer to get the Dot out of its packaging than to get it installed and ready to use. Just don't forget to center that red circle to calibrate it before you shoot your first video!
Room for improvement
