Want to Hack Some Brand New Features Onto Your GoPro HERO 8? Just Scan a QR Code

Can you imagine bringing brand new features to your camera by simply photographing a QR code? Thanks to GoPro Labs, GoPro HERO 8 owners can expect to unlock some new options via an innovative new system.

Time-lapse photographer Matthew Vandeputte loves his GoPro, but like many time-lapse aficionados, he’s been occasionally frustrated by some of the limitations. In this short video, he explains how GoPro has managed to create a system where you simply click some boxes, slide some sliders, and photograph a QR code in order to unlock some previously impossible settings for the HERO 8.

GoPro’s menu systems have never been that easy to navigate, so moving a lot of that functionality over to a phone has always made sense. This takes it to the next level, however.

The degree of control is impressive. For example, imagine wanting to film the launch of a space rocket but having to place the camera three days beforehand with no opportunity to leave it connected to a power supply, revisit it, or control it via Wi-Fi.

You can access GoPro Labs by clicking here. What else could it be used for? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

Andy Day's picture

Andy Day is a British photographer and writer living in France. He began photographing parkour in 2003 and has been doing weird things in the city and elsewhere ever since. He's addicted to climbing and owns a fairly useless dog. He has an MA in Sociology & Photography which often makes him ponder what all of this really means.

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2 Comments

Thank you, this is really useful. I couldn't figure out how to power the GoPro for 5-day timelapses without resorting to power stations / generators. With the labs firmware (with the ability to power off at non-working hours) and a high capacity powerbank I should be able to make it work. I'm testing it now.

Prolonged time lapse functionality, scheduled capturing & Reelsteady Go improved stabilisation for FPV or action clips has anyone reading this come across other epic use cases for their GoPro since having access to GoPro Labs?