YouTube dives into VR, live-streaming with 360 video

It's launching live-streaming 360-degree video for desktops, iOS and Android

Virtual reality and live-stream videos are hot right now and YouTube doesn't want to be left out of the game.

The Google-owned video-sharing website announced today that it is launching live streaming of 360-degree videos - you know, those videos where you can see all around, as well as up and down, in the scene.

The company also is unveiling spatial audio for on-demand YouTube videos, giving users a sense of distance, depth and intensity of sound.

360-degree video YouTube

YouTube today announced live streaming 360-degree video, as well as spatial audio.

"Whether it's a sporting event or a concert or even a family gathering, all of us have had the feeling of wanting to be somewhere we couldn't," wrote Neal Mohan, YouTube's chief product officer, wrote in a blog post. "But these days, virtual reality and 360-degree video can help get you one step closer to actually being at those places and in those moments. Today, we're taking immersive video even further with 360-degree live streaming on YouTube."

Viewers can watch the live stream and 360-degree videos on a tablets, desktop computers or smartphones -- either Apple's iPhones or phones powered by Google's Android. To get the full-on VR effect, you'll need to watch through a virtual-reality headset, like Google's dirt-cheap Cardboard goggles. Cardboard is made of cardboard, which users fold into a headset to hold a phone running the video.

For the full 360-degree effect, users, will need a virtual reality headset.

YouTube's move follows those of other tech industry giants.

Google has its Cardboard virtual reality goggles. Facebook has Oculus Rift, which the company inherited after buying the virtual reality company for upwards of $2 billion.

At Facebook's F8 developer conference last week, Yaser Sheikh, a Facebook Oculus VR researcher and associate professor at Carnegie Mellon University, told a keynote audience that the future of social networking will be focused on social VR.

"We are still in the very early days of marketing virtual reality," said Jeff Kagan, an independent industry analyst. "That means it's important for all the players to stick their flag in the ground as one of the first in the space. This is YouTube putting its flag in the ground."

For something that could grow quickly, today's big tech players need to get onboard now so they're not left behind.

"If they do this, they will remain one of the early leaders," noted Kagan. "If they don't do things like this, they could fade away and be replaced by other leaders."

Rob Enderle, an analyst with the Enderle Group, said the YouTube announcement is good news for virtual reality users since there really isn't a lot of content available yet.

"Live video is a very quick way to generate content, showcase the value of the platform, and provide an experience far closer to actually being there," he added. "This makes YouTube a stronger destination for those that have early VR gear and are in search of content."

Join the newsletter!

Or

Sign up to gain exclusive access to email subscriptions, event invitations, competitions, giveaways, and much more.

Membership is free, and your security and privacy remain protected. View our privacy policy before signing up.

Error: Please check your email address.
Show Comments

Latest Videos

More Videos

More Brand Posts

What are Chris Riddell's qualifications to talk about technology? What are the awards that Chris Riddell has won? I cannot seem to find ...

Tareq

Digital disruption isn’t disruption anymore: Why it’s time to refocus your business

Read more

Enterprisetalk

Mark

CMO's top 10 martech stories for the week - 9 June

Read more

Great e-commerce article!

Vadim Frost

CMO’s State of CX Leadership 2022 report finds the CX striving to align to business outcomes

Read more

Are you searching something related to Lottery and Lottery App then Agnito Technologies can be a help for you Agnito comes out as a true ...

jackson13

The Lottery Office CEO details journey into next-gen cross-channel campaign orchestration

Read more

Thorough testing and quality assurance are required for a bug-free Lottery Platform. I'm looking forward to dependability.

Ella Hall

The Lottery Office CEO details journey into next-gen cross-channel campaign orchestration

Read more

Blog Posts

Marketing prowess versus the enigma of the metaverse

Flash back to the classic film, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Television-obsessed Mike insists on becoming the first person to be ‘sent by Wonkavision’, dematerialising on one end, pixel by pixel, and materialising in another space. His cinematic dreams are realised thanks to rash decisions as he is shrunken down to fit the digital universe, followed by a trip to the taffy puller to return to normal size.

Liz Miller

VP, Constellation Research

Why Excellent Leadership Begins with Vertical Growth

Why is it there is no shortage of leadership development materials, yet outstanding leadership is so rare? Despite having access to so many leadership principles, tools, systems and processes, why is it so hard to develop and improve as a leader?

Michael Bunting

Author, leadership expert

More than money talks in sports sponsorship

As a nation united by sport, brands are beginning to learn money alone won’t talk without aligned values and action. If recent events with major leagues and their players have shown us anything, it’s the next generation of athletes are standing by what they believe in – and they won’t let their values be superseded by money.

Simone Waugh

Managing Director, Publicis Queensland

Sign in