Facebook debuts 360-degree videos with help from Star Wars, GoPro and SNL
Facebook has announced that it will begin rolling out 360-degree videos, and brands including Star Wars, GoPro, Saturday Night Live and more are taking advantage of the new medium by showing off some of their own videos on the social network.
In March, Google’s YouTube launched its own panoramic video hub called ‘#360Video.’ Facebook’s latest move is the social giant’s attempt to keep up with its video rival.
Disney and Lucasfilm are debuting an exclusive 360-degree experience on Facebook to promote ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens,’ and other brands including Discovery, Vice and Mountain Dew are leveraging the new feature as well.
Facebook 360-degree videos will be available on the web or on Android, and it said it plans to roll out the feature for iOS in the coming months.
When watching 360-videos on desktop, viewers can drag their cursor around a video to see different angles. When watching on a mobile device, viewers can either use their finger or simply turn their device.