Facebook introduces Live 360-Degree Videos

Following YouTube’s 4K 360 live streaming, Facebook which has already featured standard live streaming has now introduced Live 360 videos.

Facebook launched its Facebook Live streaming feature back in April to public which allowed the users to publish live video footage with their phone cameras using facebook app or watch live video feeds. Later Facebook also added the feature to play 360-degree videos.

But with the recent announcement, Facebook combines the two functions and now you can play live 360 videos which are published by a select facebook pages. Yes! it’s not yet available publicly.

While the Live Video feature on Facebook gives people quick reach to the something which is going on in the world right now, the new Live 360 video will immerse viewers fully into the scene, “letting them explore on their own and experience a new environment.”

Live 360 transports people into new experiences—right as they happen.

Having partnered with National Geographic, Facebook will launch Live 360 video – live from Mars Desert Research Station facility in Utah. Wherever you are, you will be able to discover and explore this video on Facebook.

Over the past 80 days, seven space scientists from around the world have lived in pods simulating every aspect of life on Mars, including total isolation from humanity. As part of its global effort around MARS, National Geographic will be live on Facebook in 360 degrees as the scientists emerge from the pods. They will take you behind the scenes to explore the living quarters, see how the scientists suit up in their space suits, and take a rover out for a spin across the Martian landscape. This first Live 360 will also include a Q&A with a line-up of science experts, writers and thinkers, and will take questions from the Facebook audience.

FB Live 360 demo / Tech Crunch

Currently, the feature is only limited to select pages of the partners with Facebook, Live 360 video will be available to more Pages via the Live API in the coming months, and we look forward to rolling it out more broadly for all Pages and Profiles in 2017.

Well it’s not something exactly like the standard Live Video streaming that only needs your phone to go live. You will need a 360 degree camera connected with your phone and interact via Live API.