The Android Realm App Review FrameLapse

With all the talk about time lapse features, for this review, I wanted to share just one of many time lapse apps in the Google Play store that is not only stored to the user's device but can be shared to just about anywhere and has a full range of features.

To start, videos can be created just by pushing the record button like any other video. Current settings show up at the top right of the screen to provide quick stats for the output for the video. Many of these settings can be changed and are separated by type. To start, video resolution can be adjusted based on device hardware but can range from 1080p to 480p. Next, the frame interval can be adjusted from 0.1 seconds up to 60 second intervals. The PRO version allows for custom intervals that can be different from the options provided. From here, the video length can be set based on how long the user wants their video to be. There is no limit in the free version but the PRO version does allow setting custom lengths outside of the options that the free version provides. Other settings include white balance, auto focus, FX, and exposure.

A quick overview for at least how this app creates its time lapse is that the 0.1 time interval is closest to a standard length time lapse.  Any interval greater than this requires that much longer of the a video to create the time lapse effect. The video  in the post was created used this time interval with all other settings at default.

The video render is done in real time so once the recording is stopped, the video is saved to the user's device. Since the video is saved in mp4 format, it can be shared to most sites including but not limited to Facebook, Instagram, Google+ and YouTube.

Most of the apps features are available in the free version including setting time intervals, no limit on video resolution or length, and adjusting filter types. The PRO version adds the ability to make custom adjustments and unlocks various video adjustment features.

Google Play - $Free

The Android Realm App Review Amazon Instant Video

If you use Amazon Instant Video on Kindle, wished it was available on Android, or want another video streaming option, then everyone is in for a nice surprise. As long as the Amazon app is installed, users should be getting an update to the app letting users install the Instant Video app to browse, buy and watch videos from Amazon's library.

To clarify, in order to install and use the Instant Video app, the Amazon app needs to be installed in order to access the download link. Upon installation, a link will be added to the app drawer to directly go to the Amazon Video library.

As far as prior purchases, any videos purchased with the associated account will show up. The app supports Amazon Prime as well so related benefits should carry over.

Much like the website, the app supports buying HD and SD content (and entire seasons) and adding to your wishlist so everything should sync with your account.

The only downside to the app is no offline video which is expected since other non-Kindle releases of the app work in the same way.

Overall, the app is pretty straightforward, especially if the user has used the Amazon app before and now provides more devices to access Amazon's video library.

Google Play - Amazon App - $Free

The Android Realm Widget Review ABC Widget

Since I've been using A Better Camera  for all of my camera needs (except for Lens Blur and Photosphere of course) I found myself wanting an easier access to the different modes the app offers. Luckly, the devloper of the app has provided a solution.

ABC Widget works in conjunction with the 'A Better Camera' app to provide quick links to all of the different functions. 

The 4x1 widget provides static links to the single shot, HDR, night, video and panorama camera modes along with the flashlight. 

If the user wants a more customizable option, the user can use the 4x2 resizable widget. The first option allows for a choice from three background styles, transparent, dark, or semi-transparent. From there the user can select specific or all camera modes to show up in the widget. Selecting each square brings up available modes along with blank if modes need to be removed. I recommend keeping one spot available for settings in case you want to reorder the widget without having to start all over.

Google Play - $Free - A Better Camera

Google Play - $Free - ABC Widget

The Android Realm App Review Google Camera

Are you on an Android 4.4 or higher based device and find the camera lacking in features? Do you want to take Photosphere or Lens Blur pictures just like the Nexus 5? Then check out the official Google Camera app.

The camera app from Google can be downloaded directly from Google Play as an official Google app but currently requires Android 4.4 (KitKat) or higher. While the camera, video, and panorama modes are standard, the app introduces two features otherwise not available.

Google Play - $Free

The first is Photosphere. This lets the user take highly immersive pictures in 360 degress. It can be thought of as a panorama on top of a panorama as far as size and scope. To take a Photosphere, the user needs to center the viewfinder into the dots which takes individual pictures. When the checkbox in selected, the Photosphere is processed and is ready to share.

The second feature if Lens Blur. What this feature does is focus on an object or person in the viewfinder and blur the background for additional foreground focus. Lens Blur achieves this by taking the initial picture and the user moving the phone vertically or horizontally depending on the direction the phone is angled. If the user moves too fast or the foreground object is no longer centered the app will let the user know. Processing works similarl to Photosphere and will show up in the Gallery when ready.

The Android Realm App Review A Better Camera

Do you like HTC's Zoey feature? Want Samsung's auto-removal feature? Love HDR pictures and panoramsas? A Better Camera can help you with all of the above!

Rather than have multiple apps to have all these features or be limited to specific devices, the developer has created an "all-in-one" app to use your device's camera capabilities to provide these features. To start, the camera has basic functions like a single shot camera, panorama mode, and a video camera to help get used to the controls and navigation around this app. Other features like burst mode, group mode and night mode are available for general use photos.

To get the HTC Zoey feature, switch to 'Preshot.' This will take start taking a short video (with a 1-10 second preroll) to allow for people who blink, take a little bit to get their smile or for shifting in position. Once the picture is done, the user can slide through the picture to keep the one that looked the best.

To use the Samsung like person or object removal feature, simply switch to 'Object Removal' mode. This will take a series of pictures (any # from 5-8 which can be adjusted in the settings) then put a circle around objects that can be changed so if a person needs to be removed or someone blinked, then touching that part of the picture will change it to the part the user likes. In the settings for this feature, the elapsed time can also be adjusted if minor changes are needed (i.e. fast motion changes like a bike rider moving through the background) or a little longer (i.e. blinking eyes, shifts in smiles or photobombing).

The third feature users might enjoy are the sequence shots. If watching a play or something with lots of moving, this mode will help with getting a sequence of shots to pick the best one and delete any pictures not desired. Group shot pictures work in the same way except the user selects the base image and add images with better shots of individuals.

The app itself comes in free and paid version (with the paid version unlocking high resolution panorama mode, merging movie objects, and the limit on group shots). The paid features can be unlocked individually or all together at a lower price.

Google Play - $Free

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