The action camera maker company GoPro announces livestreaming tools and virtual reality (VR) application. The LiveVR and GoPro VR apps create an integrated end-to-end VR video suite.
Right now, the virtual reality industry in general is trending, after Gear VR from Samsung opened the way in making virtual reality headsets a consumer product. Facebook owen the biggest name in the VR industry, Oculus, and Mark Zuckerberg has announced that virtual will play a big role in company's future.
GoPro, a well-known action camera maker, shows its intention to penetrate the virtual reality market as well. According to Engadget, just a few days ago GoPro officially unveiled its six-camera Omni VR rig. Now, GoPro is launching a version of its HEROCast wireless streaming tool for VR called LiveVR, along with a channel for 360-degree VR videos called GoPro VR.
On Monday, April 18, the action camera company has launched the GoPro VR on the web, along with its Android and iOS apps. Similar to how existing on-demand GoPro video channel works for "regular" footage, the virtual reality platform will host GoPro VR video content.
The spherical/VR video content to be found on the GoPro VR platform will initially come via GoPro's sponsored artists and athletes. It is expected that soon will also follow some user generated content.
As it inherited Kolor Eyes "spherical content" website and app after the acquisition of the French company Kolor, GoPro technically had already a virtual reality platform. Tech analysts suggest that the new GoPro VR might be based on the development of Kolor Eyes software and it could be a rebranding of that.
GoPro's announcements are part of the NAB conference that started on Monday. The company will also show early demos of live, wireless virtual reality streaming branded LiveVR. The system will be used at sporting events and as part of GoPro's partnerships with the MotoGP.
The Verge reports that GoPro will also present its other tools to broadcasters at the NAB conference. They include integrated goal-post systems, custom camera rigs, along with the new system for broadcasting live 360-degree video.
