Video

Video sharing site Vine has announced a high quality format for bigger and better Vines. Initially launched in January 2013, the iOS app has received several updates. In the latest version, six-second looping clips known as Vines have been upgraded from 480p to 720p resolution.

iPhone owners will be able to take advantage of the upgrade immediately, with 720p coming to Android devices soon. Twitter acquired Vine shortly before its initial release, and the company continues to improve the service. An update released just last month gave the Vine app Background App Refresh capability, which makes it possible to watch already downloaded Vines without a data connection.

The jailbreak tweak RecordPause brings some old-fashioned in-camera editing to the iOS Camera app. Normally videos are recorded and edited later, by bringing together different clips with software. By adding a pause button to active video recording, RecordPause makes it possible to stop and restart recording in the same video file.

Once installed, tapping the time counter when recording video will put the stock Camera app in pause mode. The interface turns yellow, and the viewfinder preview dims. To restart recording tap the time counter again. When finished recording, stop the video normally and the in-camera edit will be saved to the Camera Roll.

Ever notice the focus stays fixed when recording video on the iPhone 5s? In fact, the only iOS devices that automatically adjust focus while recording are the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. While this feature was not added to the stock Camera app on older iPhones, those with jailbroken devices can now get a piece of the action.

The free jailbreak tweak AFVideo does the trick. Normally, refocusing a video while recording on the iPhone 5s / 5c or earlier requires a tap on the screen. Once AFVideo is installed, there are no options or settings to configure. The stock Camera app will simply begin to focus automatically, on the fly while video recording is in progress.

There are several ways to view content from the iOS Photos app on a larger screen. Many iPhone, iPad and iPod touch users are familiar with Apple TV, which uses the built-in AirPlay feature of iOS. Chromecast owners can get in on the action, too. All that's needed is a free, third-party iOS app named Photo Cast.

With Photo Cast installed, video from Albums or the iOS Camera Roll can be streamed to the Chromecast device on your TV at up to HD 720p resolution. 1080p resolution is possible with a $2.99 upgrade to Photo Cast PLUS. Custom photo slideshows with a soundtrack can also be cast, or just swipe through some Camera Roll photos on the TV.