Twitter is getting more and more serious about live video. Its latest step towards that goal is the introduction of the 360-degree live video streaming.
Around 6 a.m. today, Dec. 29, the first ever 360-degree live stream through Periscope was taken. Alex Pettitt, broadcaster, and Periscope expert, shared the momentous event on his Twitter account. The live stream showed Pettitt and model/travel vlogger Brandee Anthony walking around a fort in Florida.
Twitter announced the feat in a blog post. The company hopes the new feature would allow the company to make up for a rather downtrodden 2016 which saw the service supposedly being used by personalities to spread lies and fake news, and the company letting go of people and later shutting down Vine.
To determine if a Twitter or Periscope video is shown in 360, look for the LIVE 360 badge. If the badge is present, just tilt the phone or swipe across the screen. Those using a desktop or laptop can still see the 360 video by simply clicking and dragging the screen. This action rotates the camera allowing a 360 view of the video.
The 360-degree view is a great way for broadcasters and vloggers (video bloggers) to make more thorough observations and reports which the viewers can enjoy.
All Twitter and Periscope users have access to the live 360 videos. They can watch them anytime. However, only a select group of partners can go live in 360 using Periscope right now. Twitter did not say anything about its plans of expanding the feature outside the limited number of partners but it is likely that the feature will be offered to the general public in the future.
The Verge reports that 360-degree broadcasting is nothing new. Facebook earlier tested this feature on Facebook Live. This put some pressure on Twitter and Periscope after some publishers moved and signified their intent to move to Facebook Live to get more viewers. But with the release today of LIVE 360 and the announcement that they already have select partners, they have overtaken Facebook which is only planning to strike deals with partners "in the coming months".
