Together with its news that 1.5 billion logged in viewers visit YouTube every single month, the company has announced a new video format called VR180 at VidCon, which YouTube hopes will make virtual-reality content more accessible and more affordable for creators and viewers.

VR180 is a collaboration between YouTube and Google Inc.’s Daydream VR team. Creators will be able to shoot videos with any camera with a VR180 certification. Daydream has also partnered with various manufacturers whose VR180 cameras will be on shelves by winter.

VR180 videos will allow viewers to enjoy an immersive 180-degree 3D experience when viewed in a VR headset like Cardboard and Daydream, but will still have a normal perspective when watched on a 2D computer screen or phone. VR180 videos will also be viewable on the PlayStation VR YouTube app and will also support live streaming. Creators will eventually be able to edit their videos with tools like Adobe Premiere Pro.

While VR180 cuts 360-degree videos in half, it doesn’t seem viewers are enjoying the full perspective anyway.

Google introduced heatmaps for 360-degree and VR videos with over 1,000 views last week, allowing creators to get an idea of how viewers are engaging with their content. Despite viewers being able to look around in 360-degree videos, Google found that people spent 75 percent of their time focusing on the 90 degrees in front of them.

The limited field of view does have its advantages, such as providing viewers with a sharper 4K resolution directly in front of them, smaller file sizes, and less concern over stitching and parallax issues. And creators won’t have to worry about hiding camera equipment while shooting. In addition, VR180 cameras will be much more affordable than the 360-degree options.  

VR180 cameras

Google’s Daydream team has partnered with several manufacturers, including YI Technology Inc., Lenovo Group Ltd. and LG Electronics Inc., to build VR180 cameras. Google said the VR180 cameras will be “as easy to use as point-and-shoot cameras” and will come with a similar price tag.

Other manufacturers can apply to the VR180 certification program. One of the first partners is Shenzhen ImagineVision Technology Ltd and its Z CAM product line. Z CAM’s upcoming 3D180 camera (pictured below) will be VR180 certified.

The VR180 cameras from YI, Lenovo and LG are only set to hit shelves this winter, but any eligible creators eager to try out a VR180-enabled camera can apply to loan one from one of Google’s YouTube Spaces, located in nine cities around the world.

VR creators, viewers and developers can sign up for VR180 updates on the Google VR website.  

Additional YouTube updates

In addition to the main VR180 news, YouTube also announced various updates for its mobile and desktop apps, YouTube TV and more.

Viewing experience in mobile and desktop app

The YouTube mobile app has been updated to dynamically adapt videos to the size you choose to watch it in, which means the YouTube player will adapt itself to fill the screen depending on whether you are watching a vertical, square or horizontal video.

A redesigned desktop version of YouTube is currently being tested in a preview, which includes a Dark Theme option.

Easier ways to share videos

Last year, Google made it easier to share YouTube videos directly with specific contacts. The feature will be available in Latin America and expand throughout the U.S. soon.

To share a video, tap the Share button > select the relevant contacts > add a message > hit Send. Each new video you share will create a new chat and recipients can respond with text or videos.

Expansion of YouTube TV markets

After launching in five cities in April, Google is expanding its TV subscription service, YouTube TV, to 10 new markets in a couple of weeks. The new cities include Dallas-Fort Worth, Washington, D.C., Houston, Atlanta, Phoenix, Detroit, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Miami-Fort Lauderdale, Orlando-Daytona Beach-Melbourne and Charlotte.

YouTube Red Originals – 12 new projects

Since launching YouTube Red in October 2015, Google has screened 37 original series and movies on the platform, which has generated nearly a quarter billion views.

Google has shared details of 12 new projects coming to YouTube Red this year, including new shows like Good Game, Lifeline and others.

Images: Google; Z CAM