Facebook logo (Photo : Reuters )
Facebook is reportedly developing a mobile video app that provides smartphone users with a virtual reality (VR) experience without the use of VR goggles. The standalone app provides spherical 360-degree videos that allow users to enjoy ultra-realistic games and entertainment.
An unnamed source at the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported the news. Last year Facebook purchased the virtual reality device producer Oculus VR for $2 billion in cash and shares, according to News.
Facebook is planning to launch a new Oculus Rift device in the first quarter of 2015. CEO Mark Zuckerberg shared at a March developer's conference that the social media giant would support 360 videos in News Feed, according to ABC News.
The social network's users will experience photos and videos in a new and thrilling way. They will be able to enter the world in which a spherical video was captured, and view it from various angles.
Zuckerberg has described virtual reality as the platform that will eventually replace mobile phones. It will be the "most social" platform ever developed.
Various other tech companies have developed VR products. Google's VR viewer Cardboard connects to nearly any mobile device with the Cardboard app. Meanwhile, Samsung's Gear VR headset has a price tag of around $200 and connects to some Samsung handsets.
Next week Oculus will host its second yearly developer conference. It will be held in Hollywood, California. Virtual reality fans will get to discuss topics such as streaming VR video and mobile device performance.
Oculus VR was founded in 2012. The company's name is the Latin word for "eye."
This video is an Oculus VR demo with co-founder Palmer Luckey:
