Tomorrow Google I/O 2016 will begin, and in all its glory the visiting audience will bask in the light that is Google’s premier developer conference. Everyone else will have to watch from their PCs and mobile phones—but this year the Internet gets a seat in the audience via 360-degree virtual reality (VR) live streamed video.

VR you ready? Watch the #io16 keynote live on @YouTube 360 this Wed 10AM PT. https://t.co/eZ3yrQCfK0 pic.twitter.com/h5ppO9sVWe

— Google Cardboard (@googlecardboard) May 16, 2016

Google famously released Google Cardboard, a foldable cardboard viewer, with a pair of cheap lenses, that can turn properly sized mobile phones into VR viewers at a price tag of $15. If you happen to have a Google Cardboard or compatible goggles, you’re in luck: you can be part of the audience at the keynote.

If you don’t have one: don’t worry, you can still view the 360 video, you just won’t be able to do it “immersive” style. All you have to do is visit the YouTube link on your PC or mobile phone and view the 360-degree video—it will automatically give you controls to view the 360 scene.

Google Cardboard (Photo: Google)

STEP 1: Install the apps on your mobile phone

Once you have your Google Cardboard viewer (and have made certain it works with your phone) the next step is to get the proper apps installed so that you can use the viewer.

First, visit the Google Play store and install the Cardboard app. Once you have it installed, you can configure it by launching the app and following the on screen instructions. It will even allow you to personalize the app for the viewer you have (by using a QR code on the viewer goggles) but most of them work without any need to modify the Cardboard app.

Next, install the YouTube app (assuming it’s not pre-installed on your smartphone). This one is straightforward, you’ll be launching this in order to view the Google I/O keynote in 360-degree video.

Image credit: Google, Inc.

Up until today this required an Android phone to work, but YouTube recently extended support for Google Cardboard to Apple phones running iOS.

STEP 2: When the day comes visit the Google I/O 360 video link on your phone

On Wednesday, May 18, 2016, at 10am Pacific Time the Google I/O keynote will start and you can watch it with 360-degree live video on YouTube.

Just visiting this article and clicking the link above is enough to get your journey started when you’re waiting during the last few minutes for it to begin.

Once you have the YouTube video running in the YouTube app on your smartphone, it will automatically add the 360-degree controls. You will be able to pan your phone around and look at the stage, audience, etc. as if you had a seat at the event. However, to get the VR experience started you need one more step.

At the bottom of the video you will see a little “Google Cardboard” icon that looks similar to the Cardboard viewer head-on. Click on that and the view will change to a pair of rounded binocular screens on your smartphone. At this point you want to place your phone into the Google Cardboard viewer and enjoy.

If you want further instructions (or help) YouTube has you covered, and there’s a picture of the Google Cardboard icon.

Image credit: Google, Inc.

STEP 3: Place your phone in your Google Cardboard viewer and enjoy

This part can be a bit cumbersome but it’s the necessary end to anything involving the 360 video VR experience with the Google Cardboard viewer: you need to put your phone in it and put it over your eyes. Some viewers have straps to hold them to your head; but the cheapest Cardboards you’ll just have to hold it up to your face.

Viola! That’s it. Hope you enjoy the experience of watching a keynote speech for a one of the world’s biggest Internet service companies in the world speaking to developers and business alike. Perhaps you’ll see SiliconANGLE staff in the audience…or you’ll just have to share the 360-degree live video view with us on Wednesday.

photo credit: #rpTEN – Tag 2 via photopin (license)