Facebook Shows Off 360-Degree Video Feature

Publish Date: Monday, 16 November 2015, 4:22PM

Facebook has announced that its 360-degree video feature is now available on iPhones and other iOS devices, allowing users to view certain videos from any angle by moving the camera around.

The social network first introduced the feature for PCs and Android smartphones in September.

Users can touch the screen and drag to move the pictures left, right, up or down. They can also hold up their phone and, as they turn, the 360-degree video will follow them, creating an immersive "virtual reality" type experience.

We just started launching 360 video on mobile.360 video is a completely new experience because you can move the camera around. This opens new ways of sharing experiences and makes you feel like you're part of what you're watching. It's a step towards even more immersive experiences.This video was shot in North Korea by ABC News -- and panning around lets you experience the kind of thing most people will never see in their lives.We think people will share a lot more 360 content in the future, especially as technology makes it easier to record it themselves. We're excited you can discover them on Facebook.
Posted by Mark Zuckerberg on Thursday, 12 November 2015

"This opens new ways of sharing experiences and makes you feel like you're part of what you're watching. It's a step towards even more immersive experiences," said Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg in a Facebook post.

"We think people will share a lot more 360 content in the future, especially as technology makes it easier to record it themselves. We're excited you can discover them on Facebook."

To mark the launch, GoPro has released its third 360-degree video, showing surfers Anthony Walsh and Matahi Drollet riding the waves in Tahiti.

As well as GoPro, several other high-profile partners including Star Wars, Discovery, Vice, NBC's Saturday Night Live and basketball star LeBron James have all released their own 360 videos.

Check out this 360 video of surfing in Tahiti shot by our friends at GoPro. I love these new 360 videos on Facebook -- they feel so much more immersive.
Posted by Mark Zuckerberg on Friday, 13 November 2015