Samsung just announced a new version of its Gear 360 camera, which as the name suggests shoots video and photos in 360 degrees, and has a new design that’s supposed to make it easier for non-video-nerds to use. It is admittedly cute, and has a nifty stabilization ring. The big question is whether its new handheld design is a step forward in capturing 360 imagery, or whether we’re about to see a lot of really shaky 360 video in our feeds.
The new Gear 360 camera is mushroom-shaped, with the spherical part of it extending into a built-in grip. Basically, it has an eye-like aesthetic that’s similar to the original camera, but now has a stalk below it. At first look it appears to be much easier for people to hold themselves — and presumably, take more selfies.
That’s a good thing for photos, and it makes the device more approachable for regular consumers. But the new design runs the risk of encouraging hand held videos, too. 360 videos can already feel like a chore to watch, whether you’re clicking and dragging or wearing a headset. The problem gets worse if you’re always trying to catch up with a moving camera.
The new Gear 360 camera has a handheld design — great for still photos, not so much for video
The new camera doesn’t necessarily discourage stability, though. It has a standard tripod mount, and Samsung has also thrown in a little rubber ring that you can wrap around the bottom of the camera to keep it stable on a flat surface. The rubber ring is simple but also one of the more ingenious aspects of the new device.