Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) has unveiled an app known as Facebook 360 for Samsung Gear VR devices that allows users to discover 360 content that has been publicly shared. Since Facebook added support for 360-degree media on its platform, more than 25 million 360 photos and 1 million 360 videos have been uploaded to the social media network.
The app is available on Samsung Gear device that is VR-compatible via the Oculus app. While the 360 media can be viewed on a desktop computer or a mobile device, the most immersive experience is realized when in a virtual reality mode.
Four categories
There are four main categories for immersive content. These include Explore which features content that comes from professional firms and creators, Following which features content from friends, Saved which features content that has been saved on Newsfeed and Timeline which is one’s own content.
Through the Facebook 360 app, it will not only be possible to view 360 content but users can also follow the profiles and pages of their favorite sources of content from the 360 app itself. It will also be possible to save the videos and photos for later viewing. Users will also be able to access their own 360 media for watching from a virtual reality headset.
Support for Reactions has also been integrated in the app with a view to increasing engagement. The Palo Alto, California-based social media giant has also promised to add more features that contain a social media element in the near future.
Increase VR popularity
By launching the 360 app on Samsung Gear VR instead of the Oculus Rift, it is understood that Facebook’s intention is to expose more people to virtual reality in a basic way and if they then wish to upgrade they can turn to Oculus Rift.
In the recent past, Facebook has instituted a couple of changes with regards to its virtual reality projects and this includes executive shakeups. Two months ago, for instance, Hugo Barra was poached from Xiaomi to become the vice president of virtual reality after Brendan Iribe had stepped down as the CEO of Oculus to lead the VR unit of Oculus PC.
On Wednesday shares of Facebook Inc rose by 0.31% to close the day at $137.72.
