Preview: Instagram’s New Hyperlapse App

Instagram has built a strong brand through their innovative designs that allow the average consumer to produce professional looking photography with their mobile phone. Today Instagram launched a new app called Hyperlapse, which allows users to transform standard video captured on their smartphone into time-lapse video on the fly.

The best part about the app is that it simplifies what used to take hours of works and thousands of dollars worth of gear to produce. All users have to do is record the video they’d like to use and then select the time-lapse speed they desire (between 1x and 12x). Then, all of a sudden, you have a smooth and beautiful time-lapsed video without all the hassles.

Behind the scenes the app works by capturing footage at a lower frame-rate than normal video. Advanced image stabilization techniques smooth out the footage to give the video a more professional look. The only downside to the app is that users cannot edit the video they’ve captured (Vine, owned by Twitter, offers that option).

“Traditionally, time-lapse videos depend on holding your phone or camera still while you film,” Instagram wrote in an official 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.”

The release comes two weeks after Microsoft announced it developed software, also called Hyperlapse, that smooths out video for GoPro users.

Hyperlapse is now available for a free download in the Apple App Store.

Instagram’s Official Blog Post:

Since launching nearly four years ago, it has always been a priority to bring the Instagram community simple yet powerful tools that let people capture moments and express their creativity. Today, we’re excited to announce Hyperlapse from Instagram, a new app to capture high-quality time lapse videos even while in motion.

Traditionally, time lapse videos depend on holding your phone or camera still while you film. 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.

We designed Hyperlapse to be as simple as possible. You don’t need an account to create a hyperlapse. Instead, you open up straight to the camera. Tap once to begin recording and tap again to stop. Choose a playback speed that you like between 1x-12x and tap the green check mark to save it to your camera roll. You can share your video on Instagram easily from there.

From documenting your whole commute in seconds or the preparation of your dinner from start to finish to capturing an entire sunset as it unfolds, we’re thrilled about the creative possibilities Hyperlapse unlocks. We can’t wait to see what you’ll create.

To learn more about what stabilization looks like in Hyperlapse, check out this video.

To learn more about Hyperlapse from Instagram, check out help.instagram.com.