YouTube now plays virtual reality videos

Get to watch videos that’ll make you feel like you’re there on YouTube. The streaming video giant is letting you watch virtual reality videos on Android. All you need to do is to have a Google Cardboard viewer and the YouTube app on hand. To get to watch a VR clip, just tap on the Cardboard icon seen in the additional options of a video and you’re good to go. You can try out the Hunger Games Experience or the other VR clips here. For creators, Google is offering you check out technologies like Jump to help you make VR videos.

YouTube on Android has also added the capability to watch any YouTube content on Google Cardboard. Again just tap on the Cardboard option from the video’s additional options and get that virtual movie theatre experience.

Source: YouTube Official Blog | Download: Google Play Store (Free)

Thermador showcases virtual reality cooking demos at Canadian Furniture Show

Thermador Canada is showing what else can be done with virtual reality with its latest prototype: 3D 360-degree coking videos using the Oculus Rift platform software. It’ll be showing off the experience at the upcoming Canadian Furniture Show from June 4 to June 7.

The demo makes use of Stereoscopic 3D 360-degree video to show the three two-minute videos in French or English by Chef Daren Bergeron and Chef Nikko Jacino. The lessons also feature Thermador’s Gas Cooktop, Freedom Induction Cooktop, Pro Grand Steam Range with BBQ, and Professional Series Steam Oven. After the trade show, the VR experience will be offered at select Thermador dealers in Toronto, Montreal, and Quebec City.

Source: Thermador 

Google introduces certification program for Cardboard clones

Google Cardboard is an affordable way to experience virtual reality for the first time. It’s no wonder that clones have started to crop up. Google wants to rein them in or legitimize them with a new certification program. They want to unify the clone headsets and have them working under the badge “Works With Google Cardboard.” They will set guidelines for it and look over your headset so that they can assure that the clone headset will work with all Cardboard software. Seems like a good deal for developers we have to say.

Source: TechCrunch

Google tipped to be dipping into virtual reality

Not wanting to be left behind, Google is reportedly working on a version of Android that can power virtual reality apps. According to the Wall Street Journal, the company has a team of “tens of engineers” working on this project at the moment. Google reportedly plans to distribute this version for free, much like what they did for Android originally. We’re not sure how the market will react to this, especially with the likes of Facebook, HTC, Sony, Samsung, and Microsoft in the game. But the more options we have, the better.

Source: Phys.org