YouTube made an announcement on Thursday that it will be enhancing its app for Android. The improved one will make it possible for smartphone users to view videos on YouTube - in 3D!
The largest and most-visited video sharing site is creating more features for its app, and one such feature is the VR Video. It allows viewers to see clips in 360-degree perspective, almost real. Likewise, YouTube revealed that the 3D viewing in the new app is possible with the use of Google Cardboard headset.
As mentioned on Cnet, Kurt Wilms, the senior product manager for YouTube VR, said about the company's move to create the app, "YouTube is about democratizing. It's about bringing this kind of video to everyone," said Kurt Wilms, senior product manager for YouTube VR.
As part of this development, the most arduous move that YouTube is doing right now is converting all the videos in its database into a state that it can be viewed like a virtual movie theater. Only a few playlists are available for 3D viewing at this time and the company is aiming to grow the number of "virtual-reality" ready clips.
And not only that, people can also create their own virtual reality contents and upload them straight to YouTube. As long as the finished video is compatible with the Cardboard viewer, the 3D viewing would be a success.
Eventually, with this feature, the public may see the rise of high quality contents on the video sharing site. However, as the executive director of VR Trade Organization Immersive Technology Alliance, Neil Schneider told Reuters, "Amateur video makers may not be able to upload lots of content because the tools for producing VR videos are expensive."
Google's Cardboard is compatible with YouTube, and the best part is - it is a lot cheaper compared to other headsets of its kind. And although YouTube doesn't sell this, it contracts manufacturers to make it so it will be widely available to the public.
To use this gadget, the viewer must set the YouTube app on VR mode. Next, simply place the smartphone in front of the cardboard device and that's it, you can already enjoy that movie-like virtual viewing experience, as said on YouTube's blog.
Currently, the latest Cardboard technology is only compatible with Android phones but YouTube execs explained that the version for iOS will be out in the market soon,
Finally, the people behind YouTube added that they will launch more great features like the 360-degree surround sound to make the VR a total virtual reality adventure.