The Ricoh Theta 360:

This is a handheld video camera, not unlike the the Flip of a few years ago (which we used and loved). It takes 360 degree videos (or still shots) – easily.

From the promo videos it looks perfect, and if the tech is up to the task (good imagery, no stutter or lag) it might well be.

If there’s a bunch of folk, partying in a circle – awesome.

HOWEVER… I think enough iPhone pics have been taken in my family for me to relive the scenarios and see why 360 won’t be so great.

To take the pic or video, the implication is that everyone in a 360 degree direction is happy to be filmed. I can think of many examples where that just won’t work. For example, the barman. For example, the one person out of your group of 12 who isn’t keen – in a static pic they just move out of the way. Now you are asking them to leave the room.

The potential for others running your take is magnified. So is someone acting inappropriately or not in sync with the mood.

And of course not all of the 360 might be worth looking at. The examples used to sell such devices are ideals, not reality.

You might need a lot of takes.

But, yeah, sure – if you are skydiving, or driving a F1 car, or any situation GoPro suits, it might be great.