Instagram’s New Hyperlapse App Turns Anyone Into A Professional Videographer

hyperlapseThere’s something new lurking over at Instagram. The social site unveiled its latest project app that allows consumers to take professional-quality video with their smartphones: Hyperlapse.

The new app creates tracking shots and fast, time-lapse videos that were once only possible with high-quality equipment, Wired reports.

“Traditionally, time-lapse videos depend on holding your phone or camera still while you film,” Instagram wrote in a blog post. “Hyperlapse from Instagram features built-in stabilization technology that lets you create moving, handheld time lapses that result in a cinematic look, quality and feel — a feat that has previously only been possible with expensive equipment.”

So how it is it possible for such a small device to produce awe-inspiring video? Apparently, Instagram created the perfect storm with engineers and imagination.

Back in 2013, Instagram data worker Thomas Dimson reconnected with a friend who had recently sold his start-up, Luma, to Instagram. While the firm’s image-stabilization technology was deployed to improve video capture in the Instagram app, the engineers saw far greater potential.

Eventually, a prototype was produced and the duo uploaded a video of the app to Instagram’s internal message board where it received a thumbs-up from company CEO and founder, Kevin Systrom.

Wired reports that boost of confidence propelled the Dimson and Karpenko to present the project at the company’s “pitch-a-thon” last January. Officials with Instagram chose to release Hyperlapse as a standalone rather than an upgrade to the current app in an effort to keep the core app simple for users.

The app seems simple enough to use: Users just have to press the record button and when they’re done filming chose a speed to run in which to run the video. The finished product can then be shared directly to Facebook or Instagram.

Hyperlapse, Instagram’s New App, Is Like a $15,000 Video Setup in Your Hand [Wired]

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