KeyCam, A Super-Simple, Super-Useful Self-Timer App

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keycam

From the department of “One Thing Well” comes KeyCam, an iPhone app which takes photos with a timer. Or a clap, which I guess makes that “Two Things Well,” but still.

KeyCam opens to a camera view containing the familiar flash on/off and camera-switching buttons, and adds a single new control, a drop-down menu with selections for 5s, 10s and 15 s, plus “clap.” These are pretty self explanatory, with the first three starting a countdown and the last triggering the camera in response to a sharp report from your slapping palms.

Lord knows why the iPhone still doesn’t have a self timer built in – my guess is liability, and Apple’s fear that it’ll get sued by the first litigation-happy idiot whose iPhone is stolen when he leaves it on a Manhattan fire hydrant to snap a long-distance selfie.

The app is actually pretty great. The default is five seconds, so you can just launch and go. Tap the shutter button and a big countdown starts on screen. For the last three seconds, the LED flashes and the camera beeps to let you know the shot is about to be taken. The clap setting actually triggers a five-second countdown, so you don’t have to worry about pictures of you with your hands together, looking like you’re praying to some sky monster.

And that name? KeyCam is a companion app to the KeyProp iPhone stand that we covered back when it was a Kickstarter hopeful. It is now available to buy, and the rather excellent KeyCam is the fortunate side-effect.

Source: iTunes

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