it may have been my phone getting overheated.

You'll need a smart phone to "control" the camera since it has no screen or viewing interface

Until one day they integrate the 360 onto a smart phone, you will still need the smart phone to take the close up photos.

The only downside (about 360 photos in general, not this phone) is that there are only a few platforms that offer native support for 360 photos.

You have to have a smart phone and/or tablet to use this camera (a phone is definitely easier), and then you can connect the camera to multiple devices, each with the app, to download the photos.

I take my 360 photos usually without a tripod or smart phone.