YouTube now supports 360-degree videos; virtual reality cat content incoming

It was only a matter of time: YouTube now supports 360-degree videos.

We first noted reports of the imminent addition back in January. As of today, users can upload 360-degree content from cameras like the Ricoh Theta, and play them back on the Web or with the YouTube Android app.

Interested uploaders can read technical details about the video format on GitHub. Though YouTube is working on making 360-degree content work automatically, in the meantime you’ll need to add special metadata to ensure it’s properly played back.

Thankfully, you won’t need a VR headset to watch it. On the Web (read; Chrome), you can scroll around the video using your mouse like you would on Google Maps’ Street View. On Android, it’s a lot more fun – you can look around by moving your phone or tablet.

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Still, we’d imagine the best experience will be with virtual reality headsets. Besides, the red on Google’s new View Master matches YouTube’s nicely.

If you can’t quite wrap your head around what 360-degree videos will look like (pun quite intended), YouTube’s made a playlist of content you can try right now:

➤ A new way to see and share your world with 360-degree video [YouTube]