YouTube for Android now supports 360 degree videos

Friday, Google announced that YouTube for Android will now support 360 degree videos. To do this, Google met with the manufacturers of 360 degree movie cameras such as Bublcam, Giroptic’s 360cam, IC Real Tech’s Allie, Kodak’s SP360 and RICOH THETA. The purpose of these get togethers was to make sure that YouTube would be able to play such videos made with their cameras.  For now, those shooting 360 degree videos will have to include a script that will allow YouTube to upload the video with the correct metadata. In the future, Google hopes to have this done automatically.

With the update to YouTube for Android, users can move their phone or tablet around while a 360 degree video plays, in order to catch all of the different angles on the screen. And while this feature is available now for Android users, Google is working feverishly to bring this to iOS. 


You can check out some more of the technology involved in this process, and download the necessary script by clicking on the sourcelinks. Google has been pushing YouTube hard this year with a kids spin-off of the site along with the 360 degree support. What could be next for YouTube?

source: Github (1), (2), YouTubeCreator via AndroidCentral