Google has added support for the uploads of immersive 360-degree videos, potentially allowing owners of Virtual Reality headsets to make better use of the sharing portal.
Google initially announced the functionality would be coming in January and YouTubers can now jump on board.
YouTube users on Android and the web will be able to drag the mouse or the touchscreen around to alter the view. YouTube says the compatibility is coming soon to its iOS apps and other devices soon.
Although Google doesn’t mention them specifically in the post, the potential to view 360-degree videos via Virtual Reality headsets or those built using Google Cardboard, simply by moving their head around the landscape is the most intriguing possibility here.
Google says the Bublcam, the Giroptic 360cam, the IC Real Tech Allie, the Kodas SP360 and Ricoh Theta cameras are already compatible with YouTube. Currently, uploaders will need to run a script to ensure the correct metadata is inserted, but Google says it is working to make this automatic.
Read more: Samsung Gear VR review
On the YouTube Creator blog Google wrote: “ You share incredible videos with your fans every second of the day, but what if you could share even more in that video? Like, sharing the entire moment that you’re filming?
“You could let viewers see the stage and the crowd of your concert, the sky and the ground as you wingsuit glide, or you could even have a choose-your-own-adventure video where people see a different story depending on where they look. Only you know what’s possible.
“That’s why today we are starting to support 360-degree video uploads on YouTube, to continue giving you all the best resources to connect with your viewers.”
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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.
