Wolf Blitzer introduces us to the future of news in VR.
Just over a year ago CNN dove head first into VR, launching a VR journalism unit and platform dubbed CNNVR. Now the broadcast news network is launching a VR news app just for the Oculus Rift.
The Oculus Rift app, also named CNNVR, lets you experience breaking news video and original 360° stories in VR. The app was created in collaboration with Magnopus, the Los Angeles-based studio responsible for experiences like Coco VR and Blade Runner VR.
CNN is positioning the app as the “first truly live VR news experience,” putting you in the center of the experience as the “producer” of your own show.
Once you load up the CNNVR app, you’ll follow a tutorial voiced by CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer. From there you can choose “News” for the latest breaking video from CNN or “360” to transport yourself to immersive original 360° video from CNN journalists around the globe. The app launches with more than 100 virtual reality stories from dozens of countries, all delivered in 4K resolution with encoding by Pixvana.
Interestingly enough, the CNNVR app also includes a CNN ticker scroll and social integration with CNN’s Twitter accounts, so you can get up-to-the-minute breaking news alerts throughout your experience.
While we don’t expect many to adopt this VR app as a substitute over watching news on TV or their mobile device, the Oculus Rift app may be perfect for diving deeper into stories—placing you on the front lines with reporters.
Image Credit: CNN
