iOS has hidden panoramic camera mode

A rumored panorama mode in the camera app for devices running Apple's iOS turned out to be true, developers have found.

 

The hidden feature, uncovered by Conrad Kramer, lets users capture panoramic images by snapping photos while sweeping the camera from left to right.

 

"So, I found out how to enable Panorama is the iOS Camera app. Set the key 'EnableFirebreak' to YES in com.apple.mobileslideshow.plist," he tweeted.

 

Tech site CNET, which reported on Kramer's discovery, said the "EnableFirebreak" key is in a preference file within iOS.

 

CNET said another hacker, Chpwn, posted screenshots on Twitter of the panorama mode in action.

 

"It's unknown why Apple has chosen to hide capability, but presumably the company plans to unveil it in the future, perhaps after further testing," it said.

 

CNET noted there were hints of a panoramic mode when Apple released a beta of iOS 5 to developers last July.

 

It said some code in that beta offered directions on how to use a panoramic feature using iOS' built-in camera app. — TJD, GMA News