Review: Pivo Pod - Auto Tracking Smartphone Support

One item I accidentally came across while searching for a smartphone tripod holder/adapter (see my review of the Ulanzi ST-03) was this curious gadget: Pivo, a tiny auto-tracking support for smartphones - which also doubles as a 360-degree rotational panorama tool, plus it has multi-stream live capabilities (whatever that means), a remote control (c/w a spare battery no less) plus voice command capability - all organised thru its App.

To be frank, I had to look up what some of Pivo's terminology actually means. From what I read, this product specifically targets the needs of solo 'influencers' by allowing them to present themselves as more professional YouTubers. I had a little giggle at the marketing spiel because, if you are clueless about exposure, lighting, composition, colour and design - as many YouTubers I've watched appear to be - no gear on earth is going to pull the proverbial rabbit out of your technical hat to save the creative day, however famous you might think you are.

But (and there's always a but) this inexpensive (US$110?) little gizmo offers something that all solo users value very highly - and that's auto tracking. What this means is that, once set up (and paired with your smartphone via Bluetooth) it will follow the subject's movement as it records video - as if you really have someone recording you with the camera mounted on a professional tripod.

On testing this feature certainly provides the audience with the definite impression that it's not just you on your own in front of a smartphone taped to a cake tin (or whatever comes to hand), and that you have, at the very least, a real camera person tracking the action in the studio.

It's a product that won a design award in 2018.

And it's also the Russian word for beer, surely a good omen. So I ordered one - at the time it was on special for US$109.

So, once unpacked (sorry, no unboxing video) it's best to plug the Pivo into a USB hub to charge with the supplied (very short) cable. Mine was already half charged. Next step is to download the Pivo Pod app - from the App store or Google Play.

Start the Pod by holding down the 'On' button for three seconds, run the App and press 'Pair' to connect the device via Bluetooth. It took just 5 seconds then it was good to go. I wish my smartphone would pair with my car radio as quickly...

Select the AI face detect mode, lock the smartphone into the Pivo cradle using the knurled knob. I shoot in the landscape format. Tap the screen to identify your face and it just locks onto your face and you are good to go. It's that easy.

Pivo has both a face recognition mode, and a body mode (in case you are jumping about in the room). Both seem to work very well. I noticed that there's also a horse mode? I couldn't find a horse to test this mode on.

At the point of sale I noticed that there was also a Pivo Pod Silver version - costing US$20 more - which claims to work 2x faster. I didn't think I needed this - I'm not going to start filing aerobics classes any time soon. For a talking head scenario, the cheaper model works really well for me.

The remote control is also a very handy extra included in the base price - this is used to control the Pod from a distance - you might be on the other side of the studio, so it can be used simply to start recording, but also to increase/decrease rotational speed, change direction, and to toggle between video and photo records modes

Good Design Points

Pivo has three slide-out feet - they are only 10mm long, but they provide good additional stability for table-mounted operation.