Photo Sphere Camera 1.2.1

Conspiracy fans, start your engines. Google is making new inroads in data collecting by offering customers a way to shoot 360 degrees images with their iPhones with the ability to upload those images to Google Maps. The app also tends to crash, which conveniently allows Google to ask for diagnostics information to fix the problems.

We’re joking, of course. But it does fit the bill if you’re the paranoid type. Which brings us to our next point.

Don’t be paranoid

Sure, if you put two and two together you might say it’s all a tad too orchestrated for Google to grab more device information while at the same time improve its mapping service. But you can just grab Photo Sphere Camera and use it locally, without having to upload the images to Maps. You can also say "no" to the device diagnostic prompt.

Google has made it easier for users to check all their content, both spheres that have been made public and those that remain private by adding in two tabs to track the content.The app also comes with an “Explore” tab that allows you to check out photo spheres from other photographers around the world.

So whatever Google is up to (and they’re not always up to something), you can just download Photo Sphere Camera and make yourself some awesome 360 panoramas to leave your friends in awe, or just keep them to yourself. It should be pointed out, however, that users have the chance to associate their new photo spheres with various establishments pinned to Google Maps.

Choose a big location, not a tool shed

Because the stitching technology in Photo Sphere Camera is not 100% reliable, Google recommends that you use this one for landscapes, or any area that’s really big, like a crater, a glacier lake, a stadium, a canyon, an open field, etc. Rooms with lots of objects in them are not recommended, though you can try using a steady hand and Google’s instructions.

The app basically lets you shoot portions of the scape around you and then stitches them back together to create a 360-degree panorama. Sort of like a bubble. And you’re at the center of that bubble.

The company has also improved the blending process, the output for low-light photography and the resolution when shooting with iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus. Furthermore, you can expand and contract the map as you need it.

Smart design

It’s cleverly designed to tell you exactly where your next picture needs to be taken to complete the sphere. Once the image is complete, it will take a few seconds to stitch the photos and create the panorama. When it’s done, you can swipe through the sphere to see the 360-degree image, or use the phone’s accelerometer to move around inside it.

You can see other people’s works, as well as access the exact place where a picture was taken using (not surprisingly) Maps. Uploading can also be done to Google+, Facebook, Twitter, and Email. Only the app supports 360-view. Outside the app, your image will look like a panorama.

Add to watchlist:

PanoramaFisheyeCamera

• Flickr 3.2.6
• Litely 1.1.5
• Seene 2.0.7
• Photo Editor by Aviary 3.6.1
• Circular+ 1.2
• Fisheye 3.8.5
• Nutshell Camera 1.3
• POMELO 1.5.1
• Camera plus 6.2