Take 360° video with your iPhone
By Ryan Orilio, Apple Distinguished Educator
The Kogeto Dot is a $79.99 camera attachment for your iPhone 4 or 4S that allows you to create 360° videos. I got a chance to play with one, and I then passed it among the students in my high school Video Productions class, and this is what we thought about it.
Attaching the Dot
The Dot is very easy to attach to your phone. It snaps on the back of your phone (once you have removed your phone from it’s case) and automatically aligns the mirror above your camera. It is not difficult to remove either, and the plastic of the case seems pretty sturdy. (I wasn’t afraid that it was going to break at any time).
Using the Dot
To use the Dot, you need to download a free app, Looker. Even with downloading the app, I was up and recording with my DOT in less than 3 minutes. The looker app is necessary. what it does is take the video that is recorded and alter it so that it becomes interactive (you can pan around the video).
While recording, you have to hold the phone a bit awkwardly, it has to face downward. You also have to be careful to keep your fingers out of the video itself (took me a couple tries to realize).
After recording the video, Looker takes a moment to process it, and then you can watch on your iPhone, or share the video to Facebook, Twitter, or on Kogeto’s website. From the Kogeto site, you can also embed the video onto a site of your choosing.
Advantages
This is a fun little accessory for the iPhone 4 & 4S. Other reviewers have had audio issues but I didn’t experience any at all. I have to say, the ease of using the device is one of the biggest advantages. I was literally up and recording in under 3 minutes.
The Dot is a small accessory, it seems fairly durable, and the quality of the video is about what you would expect.
Drawbacks
Right now the biggest drawback that I see with the Dot is actually with the companion app, Looker. Looker will only let you record 3-minute clips. This is obviously an issue for if I wanted to record something like an interview.
Also, I find it very awkward to use the begin recording button on the iPhone screen. Remember that the screen is facing downward when using the Dot. I’d really like to be able to use the volume up button to begin and end recording (like the current iOS camera).
All in all, the Kogeto Dot is a fun accessory for anyone who likes video. It’s portable, easy to use, and creates a pretty unique product. I had a hard time putting it down!
