The biggest highlight of the new immersive feature is it lets users watch videos shot in a 360-degree format from different angles. On desktop browsers, users can change angle by using on-screen cursors while on mobile devices it can be done either by turning the handset or by dragging the fingers on top of the video.
Announcing the news, CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in a Facebook post, "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." He shared a 360-degree video shot by ABC News in North Korea.
Zuckerberg added that the support for the new video feature on the social platform will allow people to share a lot more 360 content in the future. Notably, Facebook now has 1.1 billion daily active users.
The company has also launched a dedicated site for 360-degree videos where users can learn how to record and share the videos. The dedicated website also lists some 360-degree videos shared by Nickelodeon, World Surf League (WSL), VICE, and LeBron. In September, publishers who shared 360-degree videos at launch were GoPro, Discovery, and Saturday Night Live.
Apart from support for iPhone and iPad devices, Facebook also touted 360-degree video support for the Samsung Gear VR headset.
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