Instagram adds ridiculously named ‘Selfielapse’ mode to its Hyperlapse app

By Andy Boxall September 26, 2014

hyperlapse selfielapse mode update instagram — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Facebook-owned Instagram has updated its Hyperlapse spin-off app to include a new mode, where the front camera can be used to take, wait for it, a “Selfielapse.” Thanks Instagram, for that ridiculous new word. At least it’s clear what you’re getting from the name, which lets you shoot the time-lapse videos with you as the star.

Hyperlapse was launched at the end of August, and is an ingenious addition to Instagram’s photographic world, giving us regular people the chance to take lengthy time-lapse videos on a smartphone. It’s easy to use, and you can post snippets of your masterpiece to Instagram for the world to enjoy.

The Selfielapse mode comes with version 1.1 of the app, which also adds an improved interface for the larger-screened iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, along with all the usual bug fixes and performance improvements. Using the Selfielapse mode is easy. A button has been added to flip between front and rear cameras, but you’ll need to choose carefully, because once you start recording there’s no option to switch between the two without stopping and restarting.

Instagram’s app isn’t the only way for iPhone owners to take time-lapse video. In the iOS 8 update, Apple added a time-lapse mode to the standard camera interface. There’s one key difference between the two. In iOS 8, videos will keep recording until the phone runs out of storage space. In Hyperlapse, you’re limited to 45 minutes of recording time on an iPhone 5, and only a short 15-second clip can be shared to your Instagram account. Keep in mind time-lapse videos are sped up, making longer recording times necessary.

Hyperlapse is only available for iOS at the moment, and version 1.1 is available as an update right now. If you haven’t tried the app, you can pick it up here.

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