This week at its annual Google I/O developer conference in Mountain View, Calif., the company announced its VR platform, Daydream. Along with Android manufacturers, Google reports it’s working on upcoming phones, and sharing designs with them for a VR viewer and controller that will be “really immersive, comfortable and intuitive to use.” The company named-checked some apps and games coming to Daydream, including Google’s — like YouTube, Street View, Play Movies, Google Photos and the Play Store.
For its part, YouTube used a blog post yesterday to herald its involvement. “For more than a year, we’ve been adding support for new video and audio formats on YouTube like 360-degree video, VR video and Spatial Audio,” the post says. “These were the first steps on our way toward a truly immersive video experience, and now we’re taking another one with the YouTube VR app for Daydream.”
YouTube points to the early bet it made on 360-degree and 3D video, and says users will be able to see all of YouTube’s content on the app — everything from classic 16×9 videos to 360-degree footage to VR experiences in full 3D. The company also reports it has been working with creators to experiment with new formats to offer a range of virtual experiences. “We’re already collaborating with the NBA, BuzzFeed and Tastemade to explore new ways of storytelling in virtual environments that will provide valuable lessons about the way creators and viewers interact with VR video,” the blog says.
Additionally, YouTube has been working with camera partners to make Jump-ready cameras, such as the GoPro Odyssey, available to creators, to help make the production of VR video more accessible. It announced the launch of its Jump program at the YouTube Spaces in Los Angeles and New York City and promises to bring it to YouTube Space locations around the world soon.