Here at PCMag, we've gotten a bit jaded about new social video apps. We've lived through Viddy, Slingshot, Socialcam, Qwiki, and countless others. But Boomerang, the latest release from Instagram, is so simple that it's hard to fault it for adding to iPhone app overload. Boomerang's trick is to turn a short video into a back-and-forth loop for an amusing effect. The app doesn't try to create its own new social video network or require others to have the app. Instead it relies on existing hugely popular social networks. Like Hyperlapse, Boomerang is pretty much a one-trick video-effect pony, but ponies are fun and everyone wants one.

Starting Up

The small 11MB download installs in a snap, and it's available for iOS 7.0 or later running on iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. It's also available for Android. We installed the app on a delightful new iPhone 6s. When you first run the app, it tells you to stand still and point your phone camera at something moving. When you tap the Get Started button, you have to allow access to your iPhone camera. As with Hyperlapse, you can get going in Boomerang without having to sign into an Instagram or Facebook account—something we like.

Interface
Similar to Hyperlapse and Layout, Boomerang presents hardly any interface at all. After allowing the app permission to use your camera, you simply see a selfie view on the screen with a big shooting button and a camera-switcher button. When you switch to the rear-facing camera, a tooltip suggests you "try finding something that's moving." Switch to the front-facing camera, and you're in "selfieboom" mode. Press the record button once and Boomerang asks for access to your Camera Roll.