Microsoft is releasing a new set of video technologies, Microsoft Hyperlapse, that can turn long, jittery first-person clips into smooth, time-lapse videos.
The company is offering Hyperlapse in three versions: mobile apps for Android and Windows Phone; pro software for Windows PCs; and a Hyperlapse tool for Azure Media Services to integrate the technology into websites and apps.
Hyperlapse is based on work by Microsoft Research, first demonstrated publicly last August.
Today’s announcement follows the release last year of Hyperlapse from Instagram, a time-lapse video smoothing app for Apple’s iOS from the Facebook-owned company. Hyperlapse is a common term in the industry, but the juxtaposition of the Microsoft and Instagram approaches at the time highlighted the need for Microsoft to bring products to market faster. Microsoft unveiled its Hyperlapse technology last year as a research project, not available for public use, and Instagram weeks later released its Hyperlapse technology broadly as an app.
In addition to releasing versions for Windows and Android today, Microsoft is offering a broader set of capabilities with its Hyperlapse technologies, including the ability to use the Windows software to process videos from GoPro cameras and other devices, not just from smartphones.
Here’s a demo video from Microsoft showing a video before and after Hyperlapse processing.
The software uses an algorithm that creates a 3D model of the landscape in the video, and then identifies a dominate path to automatically create a smooth, condensed video. The mobile versions identify frames that overlap and then stitch those together. Both versions also take advantage of video stabilization technologies previously developed by the company.
Here are the versions being released by the company today.
- Microsoft Hyperlapse Pro: designed with professional photographers and serious video enthusiasts in mind, createhyperlapse videos using a Windows computer with video shot on any camera or device – even aerial footage shot from drones.
- Microsoft Hyperlapse Mobile: mobile apps for Windows Phone and Android allowing users to take, create, and share hyperlapse video on their phones.
- Microsoft Hyperlapse for Azure Media Services: A tool for developers to integrate hyperlapse options into websites and apps.
Microsoft says it is “evaluating” building an iOS version, as well. The Android app is in beta, and the Windows PC and Azure versions are previews. All of the versions are currently being offered for free. Hyperlapse Pro will ultimately be released in a full, paid version, pricing to be determined.
