GoPro, Inc. announced it is bringing immersive, spherical videos to the Facebook News Feed. People on Facebook can experience exclusive GoPro 360-degree video directly through their web browser or Android mobile device.
To sample GoPro's new content for News Feed, shot with its proprietary six-camera spherical rig announced earlier this year, view this high-energy motocross excursion across the Idaho desert with sports legend Ronnie Renner: https://www.facebook.com/gopro.
In the coming weeks, GoPro will launch additional 360-degree content on Facebook where users can expect a variety of never-before-seen, immersive experiences from the vantage point of GoPro world-class athletes, top chefs and more.
“GoPro captures content and tells stories that stir emotions. We are changing the way consumers experience and share life's most important moments,” said Zander Lurie, GoPro senior VP of entertainment. “With more than four billion videos viewed daily on Facebook, we have an opportunity to bring the excitement of 360-degree video to a vast new audience. 360-degree video represents a compelling way for GoPro to bring people into new worlds and experiences like never before.”
Spherical media enables a range of immersive viewing experiences and is an essential building block of virtual reality, an innovation poised to transform entertainment, education and other industries. GoPro hardware and stitching software provides highly accessible solutions for capturing, creating and sharing spherical content. GoPro is also partnering with a growing number of companies as they introduce their VR strategies and platforms to the world.
Viewers will not need a headset to access the new GoPro videos on News Feed. The immersive content will run natively on Facebook on web and Android, where viewers can choose what angle they want to see from. On the web, the content can be explored by dragging the mouse around the video. For use on Android, viewers can drag their finger across the screen or turn the device on its side to navigate.
