I thank you kind sir for those kind words. Thinking slightly out of the box to get a panoramic shot, and this should only take you the time it takes to capture say 15 single photos. Take single photos with a slight overlap in a full circle, then using the software irfanview you can create a panoramic shot as it will combine the photos for you.
Not sure if this appeals to you, or whether you are determined to master the phone, but the easiest option, is, in my book, always the option I would choose.
The way you described the way the phone works would give a photo of differing exposures as you are taking 36 pictures (this is a lot), if the sun if going in and our of cloud, by the time you have done a sweep you will have dark pictures, over exposed pictures, and if something is moving in the picture, ghosting.
Just a note on the number of shots you have to take, 36 for a full 360*, thats one every 10*. To my none technical mind that appears to be almost a full overlap for the first photo......... the second photo overlaps the first,... the third photo overlaps the first and second, then the fourth photo overlaps first, second, and third, although in diminishing amounts. This overlap would continue right around the field of view until you get back to the start point.
I will throw this technical thing up in the air for others opinions, as my head hurts now.
Download IrfanView