CES 2012: Swivl Motion Tracking Stand and Magisto Automated Video Editing App - MacRumors
Skip to Content

CES 2012: Swivl Motion Tracking Stand and Magisto Automated Video Editing App

Several Apple-related apps and accessories are being previewed at CES 2012. Here are a couple of the more interesting ones we've run across.

Swivl

swivl
Swivl is a motion tracking mount for your iPhone. We previously covered the announcement of the product back in November.

The motorized mount registers the movement of the remote control (which you can attach to your body) both vertically and horizontally. Using infrared and RF sensors, the mount actively moves the iPhone to keep its camera centered on the subject. It could be used for activities such as video blogging and FaceTime.

See it in action:


Swivl will cost $159 and is available for pre-order now and will ship in one to two months.

Magisto

magisto
Magisto is a new video app that debuted in the App Store this week that features automated editing of your raw video recordings. Magisto analyzes your videos to enhance them with music, effects, and transitions. The end result can then be shared with your friends.

Users can record a new video in the app or choose existing videos in the Camera Roll for processing. After specifying a title and soundtrack and uploading the video to Magisto's servers, the company's software will automatically select the most interesting clips and apply transitions and effects to create a polished final video.


Magisto is free and requires iOS 4.0 or higher. [App Store] The company plans to later introduce a premium version that offers HD video and more features.

Popular Stories

iPhone 18 Pro Deep Red Feature

iPhone 18 Pro Launching in Two Months With These 12 New Features

Friday July 17, 2026 10:39 am PDT by
It is now mid-July, and that means the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are now just two months away. The devices are expected to look similar to the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, but there will still be many year-over-year changes, with rumored features including a smaller Dynamic Island, 5G via satellite, and more. Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, ...
Apple AppleCare One Feature

'AppleCare One' is Now Even More Valuable

Saturday July 18, 2026 6:25 am PDT by
While the monthly and annual prices of AppleCare+ plans for Macs and iPads received a slight increase this week, AppleCare One continues to start at $19.99 per month in the U.S., making the multi-device plan even more valuable. Launched in July 2025, AppleCare One allows you to cover up to three devices as part of a single subscription for $19.99 per month, and additional devices can be...
Apple Up Arrow Fearture

Apple's Latest Price Increases Go Beyond Macs and iPads

Sunday July 19, 2026 8:50 am PDT by
After raising prices on all Macs and iPads worldwide last month, Apple increased prices on more products and services on Friday. Apple has raised prices on Apple Music and Apple One plans around the world, iCloud+ plans in eight countries, and on iPhone models in Japan.Apple Music Now Costs $11.99 as Apple Increases Subscription Prices Apple Raises iCloud+ Prices in 8 Countries Apple...

Top Rated Comments

190 months ago
The motorized mount registers the movement of the remote control (which you can attach to your body) both vertically and horizontally. Using infrared and RF sensors, the mount actively moves the iPhone to keep its camera centered on the subject. It could be used for activities such as video blogging and FaceTime.
...And homemade porn.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
190 months ago
Shay Carl (Swivl)

Shaytards FTW
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Lesser Evets Avatar
190 months ago
Swivl is brilliant. Great idea.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
190 months ago
...And homemade porn.

Absolutely! No need for that third person. Talk about facial recognition...
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
190 months ago
I like the idea, but not the execution. I want something that I don't have to carry, preferably an app with facial recognition.

Barring that, I'd rather not need the camera to catch what I'm using. That thing is huge. It has uses from what I can see, but for every day purpose, it looks a tad big (in this form)...
Impressed with the price point and utilizing a technology who's patent has expired a few years ago. However, the specific tracker you need handle is the deal breaker. This fob can get easily lost and needs visibility by the tracker camera in the base. Also the name is too descriptive for a strong copyright IMO. Finally, I view the industrial design as second rate. Looks like something out of the SolidWorks example projects with about a week of tweaks and bends.

What is needed is the IR distance and jester recognition as implemented in the Kentix technology. Have the camera on the base and just track the nearest object to the center of the view. You can even move your arm toward the device and it will follow that since it is closer. Put in a delay so quick movements are not tracked with a user adjustable parameter that you control via an app.

IR Trackers like this have been around for a while but are still only in the professional realm and not consumer priced. I give that a year or so if this doesn't taint the market. If so, we are seeing a four to five year delay at this price point for IR distance camera tracking.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
190 months ago
Swivl is interesting...$159 is pretty steep, however. If it sells for $79 or $99 I think it will do well. I wonder how much quality is put into Swivl...it seems jerky and how many useful hours can it promise?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)