Twitter is adding a whole new dimension to Periscope, its live streaming platform. Starting today, Periscope will support live streaming of 360-degree videos from select broadcasters on Twitter. The announcement comes weeks after Facebook's support for 360-degree live videos.The new 360 degree live videos on Twitter and Periscope will come with a 'Live 360' badge, differentiating them from traditional live videos. Viewers of live 360 videos can interact with them by moving their phone or swiping the screen. The only catch with Twitter's new announcement is that 'only select partners' will be able to live stream 360 degree videos as of now.
"We’ve always said that joining a broadcast is like stepping into someone else’s shoes and seeing the world through their eyes. Today, we’re introducing a more immersive way to experience those moments — with live 360 video," Periscope notes in a blog post.
There are only a handful of mediums to experience 360-degree videos, with YouTube being the most prominent of the lot. With Twitter and Periscope's native support for 360 live streams, the platform itself will mature and encourage more broadcasters to go live with 360 degrees views. "For those looking to create this special livestream, you’ll need to use the Insta360 Nano camera, although Periscope said creators are allowed to 'experiment with connecting other 360 cameras' using its Periscope Producer service which was introduced earlier this year," reports VentureBeat.
The biggest challenge for 360 live will be the lack of an easy to use device like smartphone. Most 360 degree cameras available in the market are either too expensive or lack compatibility with platforms like Facebook Live and Periscope. Recently, Twitter introduced a live streaming option directly from its native app for Android and iOS, but the ability to go live in 360 degree format will only be available from Periscope.