Smartphone video accessories

The world of smartphone video continues to evolve and improve. When we first started this lab, we were mostly cobbling together technology to make our smartphone video kit.

Now things have changed. The iPhone can record 4K video and is being use to shoot award-winning films and documentaries.

While we’re still using some of the original equipment, there are a lot more options out there.

With that in mind, Professor Chris Snider has written an updated list of smartphone video accessories.

Check it out if you’re in the market for tools to create videos with your Android or iPhone.

Fun iPhone photography hacks

Here are some fun tricks for taking iPhone photos.

50+ apps for photos, video and audio

Glen Mulcahy’s tests out mobile multimedia tools on his blog VJ Technology Blog.

He recently shared this list of 50 apps that he loves for creating photo, video and audio projects. I can’t wait to try them all.

Click the photo for links and info on each app.

The $110 mobile video kit

Here’s what you need to do decent video with solid audio on a budget. For more information and options, see “Turn your iPhone into a pro video camera for $110” on Chris Snider’s blog.

Click the photo for info on each item.

New universal phone mount: Shoulderpod

I haven’t tried this one yet, but I saw a new universal phone mount – good for both holding your phone steady and for attaching your phone to a tripod.

It’s called the Shoulderpod. Cost in the U.S. is $30.

Drake students film election videos on iPhones

These videos don’t have anything to do with our Mobile Gadget Lab (at least not directly), but I was impressed with a pair of videos I saw shared on social media this weekend.

Joey Gale and Mark Reiter are both running for Drake student body president. And each one filmed his campaign video on an iPhone and edited in iMovie.

Review: Mini cart for pan/dolly shots

I admit it. I had no idea what we would use the $70 mini cart for when we got the accessory. And I’m still not 100 percent sure.

But I still think it’s super cool.

Outdoor iPhone audio test

Earlier this semester we tested our various audio options for the iPhone indoors.

Friday was a windy late-winter day in Des Moines – so we decided to head outside and test how well our iPhone microphones could perform in less-than-ideal circumstances. We used an iPhone instead of the iPod touch this time to see if the iPhone microphone performed any better.

Project: Think Mag promo video

Our latest lab test was a promotional video for the News/Internet and Magazine majors’ capstone, Think Magazine.

The magazine’s website will launch after spring break (March 24ish), so we asked editor Rachel Weeks and technical director Kylie Rush what to expect from Think this semester.

Apps for shooting and editing video

One of the cheapest and simplest ways to improve your iPhone video is simply to download and use a better app (better than the default camera, that is). There is a wide selection of apps to both shoot and edit video on your iPhone. Here are the ones we’ve tested:

Shooting video

VideoPro Camera ($4.99) – This has been our go-to app for shooting video, for several reasons. It allows us to lock focus, exposure and white balance. It also lets us set focus and exposure separately. Other features include a smooth zoom and audio monitoring (via headphones or visually).