HomeCam, the popular HomeKit app for iOS and tvOS that allows you to view multiple video streams from your HomeKit cameras simultaneously, has received a nice update today on iOS. The update brings a new Apple Watch app, Siri Shortcut support, and more more.
We’re big fans of HomeCam here at 9to5Mac, and today’s update brings a handful of notable improvements. First and foremost, there’s a new companion Apple Watch app that allows you to watch live feeds of your HomeKit cameras directly on your wrist. The Watch app also includes microphone and speaker support, so you can use it as an intercom of sorts.
Additionally, newly added support for Siri Shortcuts means you can now ask Siri to display any of the cameras you have in the HomeCam application.
The latest version of HomeCam also features a new and redesigned main list view with snapshot fallback support. This means that if a camera fails to load, you can still view a still snapshot of it. There’s also support for Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode authentication, speed improvements, and more.
Connect your Nikon camera to a compatible smart device. The Wireless Mobile Utility app connects Nikon’s first generations of Wi-Fi ® enabled cameras–whether built-in or using the WU-1a or WU-1b Wireless Mobile Adapter–to compatible iPhone ®, iPad ® and/or iPod touch ® and Android ™ powered devices. MacOS Mojave brings four new apps to your desktop. Get all the news that matters from sources you trust, all in one place. 5 Track the market with Stocks. Instantly capture personal reminders, class lectures, even interviews or song ideas with Voice Memos.
Here’s a full summary of the new features added by HomeCam today:
Snapshot support to enable you to see images when live streaming fails, especially useful when remotely accessing your cameras.
A companion Watch app lets you view your camera’s live feeds on your wrist, including microphone and speaker support to allow you to use it as an intercom.
With faster launch times, you can see your cameras faster.
Siri Shortcut support lets you simply ask Siri to view a camera!
A brand new camera grid brings more details to the forefront, clearer statuses let you understand what is going on easier with your home.
Reorder your cameras to get the best order for your needs.
Secure HomeCam with your face, finger or passcode with FaceID, TouchID and passcode support.
New Keyboard Shortcuts on the iPad now let you move around HomeCam even faster.
HomeCam for iOS is a $4.99 download on the App Store.
Manual camera apps for iPhone offer better control over settings like exposure, focus, ISO and shutter speed. If you’ve ever shot photos in an environment where the light wasn’t ideal or had a rough time balancing shadows and light, you would benefit from a manual camera app.
While these kinds of apps aren’t always necessary, a great one is a good tool to have in your app arsenal. These are currently the best manual camera apps for iPhone.
Manual
Simple and sleek, yet powerful
For anyone just getting started with manual camera apps, Manual is a great way to get your feet wet. I’ve always found the interface to be far less confusing than other, more advanced, manual apps.
That isn’t to say Manual isn’t incredibly powerful, thanks to the gesture-driven interface. If you’ve ever used Snapseed for editing and liked it, you’ll love the interface of Manual.
You can adjust settings such as ISO and shutter speed by simply holding down and sliding up or down. Since Manual shows you a live preview of the changes you’re making to your settings, you instantly get an idea of what your end result will look like.
From beginners to advanced photographers that just want something they don’t have to fiddle with, Manual fills the bill.
- $2.99 – Download
Focus
Focus peaking, fill flash and better white balance
Focus is a newer manual camera app that not only lets you control certain elements independently of each other, but uses a technique called focus peaking. This feature allows you to actually highlight what you want in focus, creating a better bokeh effect in the background (or foreground if you choose).
There are also two other features I’ve found in Focus that make it unique: fill flash and white balance. While white balance may not be unique to focus, the method it uses in the Live Preview window is far easier to implement than in other apps. Fill flash, however, is unique and allows you to capture items without getting some of the negative effects and remnants the flash typically leaves.
While other apps may be far more advanced than Focus, it brings some unique features to the table that other apps just can’t touch, which is why it’s earned a permanent place on the first page of my photo and video folder.
- $1.99 – Download
ProCam 3
If video is also important
ProCam 3 may have a steeper learning curve than some of the other apps on this list, but it’s got the features to make up for it. Not only do you get manual control of photos, you get the same thing for video. While the default Camera app is more convenient in a pinch, I’ve found ProCam produces longer videos, since I can pause and resume in the same clip (which is handy for anyone filming events).
You can input copyright information into ProCam 3 so your photos contain any metadata you want them to, just like you can with many higher-end DSLR cameras. There’s also an Apple Watch companion app you can use as a timer for the actual app.
If you like the feature set of ProCam 3 but find the interface somewhat confusing or overwhelming, ProCam also makes a scaled-down version called Shoot that has an easier-to-use interface (and costs a little less).
Danale Camera App For Mac
- $3.99 – Download
ProCamera + HDR
For better HDR shots, in any environment
I don’t need ProCamera to be my go-to camera all the time, but I absolutely love it for capturing high-dynamic-range shots. This app produces the most accurate, vivid results without over-saturating the images or making things look unrealistic.
Just like any other full-featured manual camera app, you get Live Previews of what your photo will look like, Apple Watch integration for timer purposes, and more. ProCamera is every bit as full-featured as apps such as ProCam 3, so you really only need to pick one if you’re deciding between these two.
Danane Camera App For Mac Mac
I’d let the deciding factor be what kind of photos you take more often. If you find yourself taking a lot of outdoor photos where HDR may be a bigger deal, ProCamera is for you. If video is more important, go with ProCam 3 instead.
- $4.99 – Download
This post syndicated via The App Factor.