US streaming giant Hulu has released its first virtual reality app for users of the Samsung Gear VR headset.
The app, which has been long in the offing, will allow subscribers to enjoy all of the standard content within a sort of personal movie theatre.
There are some 360-degree videos within the app, which are available regardless of whether users have a paid subscription.
Hulu is offering native VR content from the likes of National Geographic, Showtime, the Discovery Channel and some of its own home-brewed content.
In a press release, the firm explained: “The new VR app also includes Hulu’s first originally produced VR short film, The Big One. For the short, Hulu partnered with Lionsgate to bring Freddie Wong and his RocketJump brand into the virtual reality space. The Big One invites users to witness a meteor shower that soon turns into an apocalyptic nightmare.”
It’ll be interesting to see whether Hulu devotes more resources to VR content or whether it’ll continue to pull in the plentiful supplies from the aforementioned content platforms.
The virtual viewing environment has been an area Netflix has probed before, while watching non-VR videos in YouTube will also serve up the personal viewing room.
In Hulu’s case, users will be able to customise the surrounding area with a range of scenes, from movie theatres to living rooms to the beach.
So, if you’re feeling particularly unsociable and wish to enjoy all Hulu has to offer without sensory interruption then this app could be for you. Good luck finding your mouth with the popcorn though.
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Are you looking forward to VR entertainment? Let us know in the comments below.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
