Advancements in video technology this year alongside the presence of more virtual reality have led to such a thing as 360 degree videos, some of the first of which we’ve seen on YouTube allowing users to pan the camera around either with the cursor using their mouse on the desktop site, or their fingers within the app via a mobile device. 360 degree videos have also popped up in ATAP’s spotlight stories, and now Facebook is pushing out their support for 360 video via the desktop site and the Android version of the application which should already be live today and usable by anyone who visits Facebook on either of those two platforms.
While 360 video is finally available on Facebook, there is still likely going to be a lack of content on the platform until a little more time has passed. Those interested however can check out one of the first videos exploring this technology on the social network which just so happens to be a video of some mocked up promo video for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Moving the camera around allows you to see different angles as you ride around on a speeding vehicle over the sand with the possibility to view things from behind you, in front of you and from both sides.
Disney and LucasFilm with their Star Wars video are not the only things to be seen, as Facebook has worked with multiple other companies to put out 360 video content, including GoPro, Saturday Night Live, Discovery, and VICE, with more partnerships and content coming in the future. Just like with the 360 degree videos found on YouTube, content partners of Facebook use a special camera setup with multiple cameras to get the angles from all around the viewer, making it seem like you’re there immersed in what’s happening around you. It’s a rather cool effect, and one that Facebook is likely to delve more into seeing as it’s the perfect type of content for the Oculus VR headset made by now Facebook-owned Oculus. If you want to check out the 360 videos for yourself, you should be able to see them on your Android device within the app or on the site.