YouTube has introduced 360-degree videos to its service, letting users watch the films through their browser as well as by using their phones as a version of virtual reality.
The Google-owned company suggested the new tool could be used to let viewers “see the stage and the crowd of your concert, the sky and the ground as you wingsuit glide, or you could even have a choose-your-own-adventure video where people see a different story depending on where they look”.
Using the YouTube app for Android, users will be able to change the angle of videos depending on where the phone is pointing.
The videos can also be watched on the main YouTube site or on embedded videos in the Chrome browser by dragging the point of view around with a mouse.
YouTube said that it was working on bringing the functionality iPhone, iPad and other devices soon.
The company will be showing off the technology at its “YouTube space” in LA.