Google recently announced that the Android app of YouTube will be supporting virtual reality videos from now onwards. In technical terms, the app will support VR videos which is a format allowing the users to view pragmatic 360 degree perspectives of regular videos. To view the 3D videos users will need an Android smartphone and Google’s “Cardboard” headset device.
About the VR video format, Google on its blog post said that,
Using the same tricks that we humans use to see the world, VR video gives you a sense of depth as you look around in every direction. Near things look near, far things look far. So if you were excited about 360° videos, this is pretty freakin’ cool.
In fact, YouTube already has a few virtual reality videos that include clips from latest Hunger Games movie and TOMS Shoes which can be viewed by the users of the app. Also, by using technologies such as ‘Jump’ makers can create their own VR videos and directly upload them on YouTube.
Secondly, Google also announced that the already existing videos of YouTube can also be watched using Google Cardboard for virtual movie theatre like experience. To do that user will have to select ‘Cardboard’ option added recently on the watch page menu and by using the Cardboard headset device can experience the virtual reality.
The company has not disclosed any detail about the availability of this app update for Apple iPhones. Android users can download the app from Google Play Store and experience the virtual reality.