YouTube launches 360-degree live streaming

Video sharing platform YouTube has introduced a 360-degree live streaming and spatial audio to its platform for both the viewers and event organisers.

"Now anyone, with just their phone, can have that front-row experience without having to be there," technology website The Verge quoted Neal Mohan, chief product officer, YouTube, as saying.

Just as watching a concert in 360 degrees can give you an unmatched immersive experience, spatial audio allows you to listen along as you do in real life, where depth, distance and intensity all play a role.

Mohan's announcement arrives just after Facebook unveiled its plans for expanding live-streaming and its own design for a 360-degree camera, the report said.

"As a user, you don't need to do anything," Mohan said, adding, "There is no fancy technology to purchase or integrate."

Just open the YouTube app on your smartphone and you are ready to go.

According to Mohan, along with 360-degree live streaming, they are also launching spatial audio for on-demand YouTube videos.

"We are working with companies like VideoStitch and Two Big Ears to make their software compatible with 360-degree live streams or spatial audio on YouTube and more will be available soon," Mohan noted.

He said that the company would also make 360-degree live streaming and spatial audio technologies available at all YouTube Space locations around the globe.