Facebook 360-Degree Video (Photo : Twitter)
Facebook already added 360-degree video support to desktops and laptops, and Android phones and tablets in September. The virtual reality-like videos are also now available on iOS devices and Samsung's Gear VR headsets. Following the social network's $2 billion purchase of Oculus Rift last year, big brands such as AT&T, Samsung, Nescafe, Corona, Ritz Crackers, and Walt Disney World are now on board to launch VR-style ads for the social media giant.
Facebook's new video creation tool is now compatible with a VR-like ad format that appears as sponsored posts in News Feeds, according to Ad Week. This gives brands the ability to produce more creative Facebook advertisements.
The videos can be watched on Android and iOS devices, and also the Gear VR. In addition, Facebook is teaming up with 360 camera makers including IC Giroptic, Real Tech, and Theta so their apps will include a button for publishing videos to the social network's website.
The tech company has also launched a 360-degree video content microsite. It includes resources such as editing tools, upload guidelines, filmmaking techniques, and FAQs.
Facebook is implementing a strategy it used for photos and videos. The goal is to make the social network look and feel more dynamic, pave the way for more user-created content, and roll out ads in the new format, according to Tech Crunch.
Since April Facebook's daily video views have skyrocketed from 4 billion to 8 billion. That has made it more competitive with video-sharing services such as Google's YouTube, and more affordable to add high-cost video ads into content.
The social network will likely use the same method to roll out virtual reality-like ads. However, due to the sky-high cost of producing 360-degree and VR videos, brands could provide funding in exchange for some light marketing.
Facebook's Oculus Rift headset is set to launch in Q1 of 2016.
Here is a 360-degree Star Wars video:
