Much like GoPro and many other camera makers, Insta360 is finally letting you use its One R as a full-HD USB webcam. Better yet, when mounted with the 4K Wide Angle Mod, the One R can automatically adjust the digital zoom level to keep all subjects in the frame. You can also use the 360 Mod in webcam mode, which offers a split screen output from both lenses.

Another notable new feature is 360 live streaming. Considering its predecessors, I was a little baffled by the fact that the One R launched without 360 live stream support, but better late than never. Once updated, the One R can stream in conventional “360 Live” mode or “Reframe Live” mode, with the latter allowing the user to control the perspective in real-time.

The rest of the new goodies include remote voice control via Apple AirPods, faster wide-angle video workflow thanks to the default file set to MP4 now, a new Final Cut Pro X plugin for Insta360 Studio (along with the existing Adobe Premiere Pro plugin), new AI Shot Lab templates for auto-edited clips, improved low-light stabilization and more. Not bad for a camera that’s only been launched for about nine months.

As the world continues to battle COVID-19, the likes of realtors, museums and galleries have been seeking alternative ways to serve their clients or visitors remotely. Matterport even claims that its platform helped create more than twice as many 360-degree virtual tours weekly between early March and mid-August, and it’s hoping to continue this momentum by expanding its list of compatible 360 cameras.

Following the Insta360 One X, Ricoh Theta V and Ricoh Theta Z1 integrations last year, Matterport has now added the newer Insta360 One R camera to the beta release of its Capture app, with full integration due in October. This gives users a fourth alternative choice to Matterport’s very own Pro2 Professional 3D Camera, which produces high quality 360 shots but falls short on portability and price — it’s currently asking for around $3,000.