Back in 2012, the first iteration of Cycloramic launched, using the vibration motor in the iPhone 5 to capture hands-free 360 degree video. When balanced on a flat surface, the vibration motor allowed the phone to spin on its own, a capability that also worked for the iPhone 5s, as it shared the same design as the iPhone 5.

The iPhone 6, however, has rounded edges that prevent the Cycloramic app from working in the same way -- it's no longer possible to balance the phone on its edge, allowing it to spin freely. The Cycloramic team has come up with an innovative solution to enable 360 hands-free panoramic video on the iPhone 6, however, utilizing the power adapter that the two phones ship with.


As demonstrated in the above video, when the iPhone 6 is placed between the prongs of the power adapter that it ships with, the vibration motor is strong enough to spin it around, capturing 360 degree panoramic videos in landscape mode.

Just put your iPhone 6 on top of your power adapter on a smooth and level surface (granite, marble or wood desk) and it will automatically rotates 360 degrees using the phone's internal vibration motor. As it rotates, the phone takes multiple photos, instantaneously stitches them together, and generates a panoramic photo viewable in our immersive viewer.

The hands-free video mode is limited to the iPhone 6, unfortunately, and does not work with the larger-screened iPhone 6 Plus. Other app features, including a guided panorama mode and photo editing tools work with other devices, including the iPhone 6 Plus.

Cycloramic for iPhone 6 can be downloaded from the App Store for $1.99. [Direct Link]

Top Rated Comments

davidsdiego Avatar
147 months ago
I always wondered how they were going to solve this problem. I guess they were thinking inside the box.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AppleP59 Avatar
147 months ago
Once again, Apple's non-American customers miss a feature.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dhuang Avatar
147 months ago
I have to say, that's pretty smart and creative. Unfortunately that does only work with the American adapters.

Once again, Apple's non-American customers miss a feature.

I'm one of the developers of Cycloramic. It will work on Type A, C, G power adapters (these are the ones we have gotten our hands on so far).
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nutmac Avatar
147 months ago
While it's a neat idea, most people take panoramic photos in an outdoor setting where access to smooth and large enough surface on suitable height is extremely limited.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gaximus Avatar
147 months ago
I'm one of the developers of Cycloramic. It will work on Type A, C, G power adapters (these are the ones we have gotten our hands on so far).

What about the people that bought the original version of the software that now have to buy the version. What a rip off. I already paid for it once. Now you split the software for different phone versions. Would I have to buy it again next year when the 6S comes out. You could make even more money if you made a different versions for the verizon, att, and t-mobile. That way if some one wanted to switch carriers then you could get them again.

I'll wait til a knock off version of your software comes along and give them my money.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rdlink Avatar
147 months ago
Once again, Apple's non-American customers miss a feature.

That's what you get for not living in America! USA FTW!!

Just kidding. But seriously, can't really peg this on Apple.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iphone 17 models

No iPhone 18 Launch This Year, Reports Suggest

Thursday January 1, 2026 8:43 am PST by
Apple is not expected to release a standard iPhone 18 model this year, according to a growing number of reports that suggest the company is planning a significant change to its long-standing annual iPhone launch cycle. Despite the immense success of the iPhone 17 in 2025, the iPhone 18 is not expected to arrive until the spring of 2027, leaving the iPhone 17 in the lineup as the latest...
duolingo ad live activity

Duolingo Used iPhone's Dynamic Island to Display Ads, Violating Apple Design Guidelines

Friday January 2, 2026 1:36 pm PST by
Language learning app Duolingo has apparently been using the iPhone's Live Activity feature to display ads on the Lock Screen and the Dynamic Island, which violates Apple's design guidelines. According to multiple reports on Reddit, the Duolingo app has been displaying an ad for a "Super offer," which is Duolingo's paid subscription option. Apple's guidelines for Live Activity state that...
Low Cost A18 Pro MacBook Feature Pink

Apple's 2026 Low-Cost A18 Pro MacBook: What We Know So Far

Friday January 2, 2026 4:33 pm PST by
Apple is planning to release a low-cost MacBook in 2026, which will apparently compete with more affordable Chromebooks and Windows PCs. Apple's most affordable Mac right now is the $999 MacBook Air, and the upcoming low-cost MacBook is expected to be cheaper. Here's what we know about the low-cost MacBook so far. Size Rumors suggest the low-cost MacBook will have a display that's around 13 ...
govee floor lamp

CES 2026: Govee Announces New Matter-Connected Ceiling and Floor Lights

Sunday January 4, 2026 5:00 am PST by
Govee today introduced three new HomeKit-compatible lighting products, including the Govee Floor Lamp 3, the Govee Ceiling Light Ultra, and the Govee Sky Ceiling Light. The Govee Floor Lamp 3 is the successor to the Floor Lamp 2, and it offers Matter integration with the option to connect to HomeKit. The Floor Lamp 3 offers an upgraded LuminBlend+ lighting system that can reproduce 281...
airpods pro 3 glitter

AirPods New Year's Deals Include Up to $99 Off AirPods Max, AirPods Pro 3, and AirPods 4

Sunday January 4, 2026 8:04 am PST by
Now that the calendar has flipped over into January, steep discounts on popular Apple products have become more rare after the holidays. However, if you didn't get a new pair of AirPods recently and are looking for a model on sale, Amazon does have a few solid second-best prices this week. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a...
Belkin 25W Battery magnetic

CES 2026: Belkin Announces Magnetic Ring Power Bank, Modular Dock, and More

Sunday January 4, 2026 3:02 pm PST by
Belkin today announced a range of new charging and connectivity accessories at CES 2026, expanding its portfolio of products aimed at Apple device users. UltraCharge Pro Power Bank 10K with Magnetic Ring The lineup includes new Qi2 and Qi2.2 wireless chargers, magnetic power banks, a high-capacity laptop battery, and USB-C productivity accessories, with an emphasis on higher charging...
samsung crease less foldable display ces 2026%402x

Foldable iPhone's Crease-Free Display Tech Spotted at CES 2026

Tuesday January 6, 2026 3:04 am PST by
CES 2026 has just provided a first glimpse of the folding display technology that Apple is expected to use in its upcoming foldable iPhone. At the event, Samsung Display briefly showcased its new crease-less foldable OLED panel beside a Galaxy Z Fold 7, and according to SamMobile, which saw the test booth before it was abruptly removed, the new panel "has no crease at all" in comparison. The ...
AirPods Pro 3 Year of the Horse Feature

Apple Launches Year of the Horse AirPods Pro 3 for Lunar New Year

Monday January 5, 2026 11:28 am PST by
Apple has designed a limited edition version of the AirPods Pro 3 to celebrate Lunar New Year, and customers in select countries can purchase them starting today. The Year of the Horse Special Edition AirPods Pro 3 feature a unique horse emoji character that's otherwise unavailable. Customers in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore are able to buy the AirPods, and they'll be...