May, 2016 - Softonic English

Looking for Video Effects? Check Out These Free Options!

Want to give your videos some professional-looking effects but don’t have the same budget as those summer blockbusters?

Fortunately, there are a large number of cool effects that can enhance the quality of your video projects and are free to use. Take a look at a few of the special video effects that can immediately impress and amaze your viewers:

Powerful backgrounds

If you’re trying to evoke a particular emotion, check out the beautiful video backgrounds at www.footagecrate.com. This collection includes waving American and British flags, various speedlines and swirls, and glowing stadium lights. This site also has a number of great categories of free video effects, including blood splatters, textures, buttons, and transitions. There’s also a section of free public domain footage to use that includes clips from movies, NASA, and cartoons. If you need footage of Popeye, Betty Boop, Mutt and Jeff, or clips from Alice in Wonderland, Little Brown Jug, Frankenstein or the Thief of Baghdad, this is the place for you.

Light-ning strikes

At www.cutestockfootage.com, you can download free backgrounds and effects that manipulate different light presentations. Choose from basic and glass light leaks, lens flares, and bokeh treatments. The site also includes a series of ocean wave and beach textures, green-screened blood splatters, sniper scopes, and transitions. There are some specific effects here for free download, including water on a car side mirror, old film countdowns, and thunder and electricity.

Total tools

With 13 categories of special effects, there’s plenty to choose from at www.free-video-footage.com. The backgrounds section includes business, light, and globe options while the 80 menu backgrounds offer something for every type of video. Other categories include virtual sets, mattes, fonts, special effects, transitions, clipart and lower thirds.

Professional courtesy

Mitch Martinez is a professional director of photography who has worked on hundreds of different commercial and corporate video and film projects. He has generously offered hundreds of stock footage effects files for download on his website, www.mitchmartinez.com. Categories on his site include fire, water bubbles, time lapse, aerial shots, animals, beach, and abstract effects.

Making it easy

Explosions, TV static, vintage film scratches, and flying particles are the most popular free video effects at www.videezy.com. It’s easy to download and use these files in 23 categories, including some not seen on many other free video effects sites. The art and culture category, for example, contains footage of Ferris wheels, New York City, Bible pages, and a British Museum. The music category showcases footage of various guitar and piano players, vintage record players, and concerts. There’s even a random objects section in case your creativity calls for apples, clock towers, dirty dishes, or a military shooting mark moving downstream on a river.

Check out Capture Every Moment: Transform VLC Player into a Screen Capture App to get more out of your video creation experience!

Make Editing a Breeze With These 5 Tips!

Are you looking for some tips to make your videos come alive, catch and hold the viewer’s attention, and tell the narrative you want? With mastery of a few techniques on your favorite video editing software program, you’ll be dazzling and delighting in no time.

Here are 5 tips to improve your editing skills and make your videos shine in the spotlight:

1. Intros and outros need to be natural

When you’re looking to begin or end a scene effectively, see if you have footage that naturally segues the viewer to the scene. For example, imagine you’ve got a murder scene. Try zooming in on the blood and transitioning from the deep crimson to the lips of the star as she begins talking in the next scene. Instead of a fade to black or rapid swipe, you’ll bring your viewer along for the ride.

2. Sharpen the dialogue

There’s nothing that slows down a story or makes a viewer lose interest quite like flat dialogue. Be ruthless when editing to cut out the stray “ummmms” and “ahhs” by using short audio fades.

Is there an unnecessarily long breath that adds nothing to the story? An answer to an interviewer’s question that just isn’t that interesting? Cut away. No one, ummmm, wants to hear, ahhh, the filler, like, anyway. Compare the before and after edits and you’ll see what a different it makes to have crisper exchanges that propel a story forward.

3. Mark the music

Whether you’re working on a full-length feature or a short piece for your YouTube channel, if you’re working with sound, you need to track where you are. Too many editors have a piece of music playing in their timeline tool while editing, wasting hours trying to cut the video to line up perfectly with the crescendos, swells, and other dramatic effects.

Try the reverse approach instead. Rake the time to mark or tag the musical score in your timeline first. Then you can align your video to make it match with the cymbal crashes and blaring trumpets at the proper moment.

4. J cuts feel natural

Video editors love to use the J cut, which lets a viewer hear sounds from a cut or scene before the cut or scene begins. That early sound is the lower, left side of the J. In real life, we often hear something before we see it, so the footsteps, jangling keys or opened door is OK to experience aurally before we do visually. Don’t overuse this effect though. A second or two is all that’s needed.

5. Let it breathe

Like a good wine, sometimes a scene needs some breathing room. Consider using a few seconds of b-roll at the end of one interview segment or dramatic scene before moving on. Sometimes this sensory respite let’s a viewer’s mind catch up, reflect, and prepare for what’s ahead.

If you want to learn more about using video tools, take a look at: Capture Every Moment: Transform VLC Player into a Screen Capture App

Get the Best Shot: 5 Tips for Shooting Video!

Whether you’re filming a child’s recital or sporting event, capturing a family holiday celebration, recording vacation footage, or making the next sci-fi fan film, you want to produce the best video you can.

Technology has advanced considerably in recent years, making it so much easier to capture, record, edit, and share videos; but what separates great footage from average video is often the techniques you use. Instinct and instruction manuals can only get you so far. Here are 5 tips for making sure that your visuals delight your audience:

1. Frame it correctly

You want to be sure that the frame is filled with your subject, though that doesn’t mean said subject needs to be centered. A film of a speaker at a graduation ceremony is more effective if it includes some students in the frame as well, capturing their reactions and responses.

2. Zip the zoom

Probably the first control we all played with on a video or film recorder or our favorite smartphone or tablet is the zoom function. We’re mesmerized by changing the perspective, zooming in and out. The problem is that excessive zooming can make viewers feel nauseated. When you do decide to use the feature, make sure you’re steady and slow as you zoom in or out.

3. Vantage points should vary

If you were to watch a television show or movie that is continually shot from one point of view, you’ll get antsy and distracted. Switching up the location from which you shoot adds variety for the viewer, and you just may find an angle that tells your story more powerfully. If you can’t move to different vantage points, consider changing the angle by kneeling or standing up to film.

4. Make sure special effects truly are special

Much like the zoom discussion, it’s cool that you can film in x-ray mode or add a sepia-toned filter in post-production; however, resist the temptation to go overboard. Does the effect add something to the storytelling? Does the filter truly advance the plot or characters? With the preponderance of free and inexpensive effects available, you may be tempted, but in most cases, less is more.

5. Know when to go wide

Wide shots and widescreen are two different things. A wide shot may be effective to establish a location, but once you’ve shown the pine trees and lobsters, your viewers know you’re in Maine. Use wide shots with discretion and make sure to get to the story.

Now, if you want to show your project on a widescreen television or computer screen, make sure to film it that way. Most modern digital video recorders let you record in 16:9 widescreen mode. Otherwise, you may end up distorting or stretching your footage.

If you’re a video buff, take a look at Capture Every Moment: Transform VLC Player into a Screen Capture App to get even more powerful results from your software!

9 tricks for Spotify that’ll revolutionize your music streaming

It’s no secret that when it comes to a music-streaming service, Spotify is king. Both its free version and subscribed service boast a huge catalog of music, and now, after years of using it, you probably think you’ve nailed the app and consider yourself a bit of a Spotify pro.

Well, what if we were to tell you that you’ve been using the app wrong for years? Ok, that may be a slight exaggeration, but it’s highly likely that you’re not taking full advantage of what the app has to offer.

If you don’t already have Spotify, you can download it for free here.

Have nothing to fear, Softonic is here! Here are 9 hidden tricks for Spotify you should know about:

1. Listen to the song you just discovered on Shazam

So, you’ve just watched a tv commercial that had a catchy backing track to it, yet have no idea what song it is. Thanks to Shazam, you can get the name of the song and the artist in a matter of seconds, but how do you then add it to your Spotify account without having to look it up again?

Well, it’s simple, when Shazam displays the name of the song you were looking for, tap on the icon in the top-right corner (see below) and select “Add to Spotify Playlist”.

You can download Shazam for free right here: (iOS) | (Android)

2. Use the super powers of playlists

Playlists are a great way to organize your music on Spotify, but when they get too long (it’s easily done), it can become messy to find specific songs. Fortunately, playlists have certain features that can help you organize your music even more.

a) The desktop version, as well as the iOS and Android versions allow you to search within the playlists. All you have to do is type into the Filter search whatever you’re looking for and the app will show you anything related to that word or phrase.

b) You can also create folders within playlists (however, this is only available on the desktop version). To do this, go to the left-hand side of the program and right-click on the list where you want to create a folder. Select the “Add Folder” option and type in the name you want to give it.

3. Create perfect playlists for your friends

One of the most interesting options for playlists is the ability to create “collaborative lists”. To do this, go to any playlist that you’ve already created and in the options, select “Collaborative Playlists”. You can now share this with whomever you want, and they will also have the ability to add and remove songs. This option works on both the desktop and mobile version, and it’s a great platform for creating the perfect playlist for an upcoming party!

4. Avoid the embarrassment with your guilty pleasures

Musically, we all have specific tastes, and for many of us, there are certain artists and genres that we probably wouldn’t like the rest of the world to know about. By default, playlists created on Spotify are made public (therefore your friends can see exactly what you’ve been listening to), but do not fear.

To make your playlists private, simply go to Preferences > Social, and deactivate the option labelled “Automatically make new playlists public”. You can also activate the “Private session” option, this way your followers won’t know what you’ve been listening to.

5. Recover deleted playlists

Creating a playlist on Spotify is simple, however deleting one is even easier! If you need to retrieve a playlist that you may have accidently deleted, all you need to do is access the official Spotify website. Go to your profile and access the “Recover playlists”. Here, you can select the list that you wish to restore, and get it back instantly! Panic over!

6. Discover what you would listen to if you were your parents

Our musical tastes certainly change over time, and you can definitely define the decade by the sound. If you want to know what you would be listening to if you were born 10, 20, even 50 years before your time, you have to try Taste Rewind.

The is web application works as follows: You select three artists that you currently listen to on Spotify, and the app will provide you with the “equivalent” artist(s) from a certain era. Taste Rewind will help you to discover artists you may never have heard of because of your age, and who knows- you may just love it!

7. Use Spotify without downloading anything

Using someone’s computer without Spotify installed? Or maybe you’re surfing from an internet café? (What is this – the 90s?) Well, luckily Spotify has a great web version so you don’t need to install anything on the PC in order to gain access to all you music. To do this, simply access “play.spotify.com” from any browser and enter your details.

Please note that most of the tricks discussed on this page don’t work from the web-version of the app, but at least you won’t need to succumb to browsing the net in silence!

8. Listen without stopping – wherever you are

Ever found yourself listening to Spotify on your PC, and you need to leave the house or office, yet would like to continue exactly where you left off from on your mobile device? Well, Spotify comes to the rescue, with its not-so-well-known feature called “Spotify Connect” – an option that allows you to jump from device to device without having to do anything. This option is only possible when the app detects that two or more devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, and can be configured from any version of the program.

9. Create an impromptu karaoke

Spotify has a great option that shows you the lyrics to the song you’re listening to. In order to display the lyrics of the song currently playing, simply select the “Lyrics” button in the bottom-right of the screen (only available for desktop version). If karaoke is your thing, don’t forget to check out “The Karaoke Channel” for instant access to some karaoke classics!

Did you know that simply by using Ctrl + N , you can create a new playlist on the desktop app? Don’t miss our 23 favorite keyboard shortcuts for Spotify right here!

23 keyboard shortcuts to make the most of your music on Spotify

Spotify is one of the most popular programs for streaming music, and you may find that a lot of time can be lost while you’re scrolling and clicking in order to manage your music. Luckily, Spotify has some great keyboard shortcuts, to ensure that you’ll never miss a beat again!

As they’re very similar to other programs, they’re very easy to learn, , but don’t hesitate in adding this page as a favorite so it’s always to hand! You’ll be a Spotify master in no time at all!

Don’t have Spotify yet? Download it for free right here.

23 keyboard shortcuts for Spotify

Ctrl+N – Create a new list

Ctrl+X – Cut

Ctrl+C – Copy

Ctrl+Alt+C – Copy

Ctrl+V – Paste

Del – Delete

Ctrl+A – Select all

Space – Pause

Ctrl + Right – Next track

Ctrl + Left – Previous track

Ctrl + Up – Increase volume

Ctrl + Down – Decrease volume

Ctrl + Shift + Down – Minimum volume

Ctrl + Shift + Up – Maximum volume

F1 – Show help

Ctrl + F – Filter songs / lists

Ctrl + L – Search box

Alt + Left – Go back

Alt + Right – Go forward

Enter – Play selected list

Ctrl + P – Favorites

Ctrl + Shift + W – Sign out of current user

Alt + F4 – Close Spotify

Don’t miss our complete guide for Spotify here.

Sound Design 101: Find Out How Your Videos Can Really Stand Out!

Digital video recorders have become much more powerful in recent years, giving vivid footage and excellent details. However, many videographers know all too well that these new recorders also do a great job at capturing extraneous, background, and unwanted sounds.

How do you keep viewers from being distracted and frustrated when watching your masterpieces? There are steps that can be taken before and after you shoot that will improve the quality of your final product greatly. Here are 5 tips that will have your videos sounding better:

1. The microphone matters

Maybe more than anything, the right microphone makes a huge difference in audio quality. Microphones today come in a wide range of sizes and with an array of extra features and capabilities. Wireless mics are great for conversations and allow for mobility. Handheld mics are the go-to choice for journalists and interviewers. Lavalier, shotgun, boundary, and stereo mics also serve various functions well.

Be sure if you’re using a mic outdoors that you have wind protection. Otherwise you’ll hear the whoosh of Mother Nature instead of the performance or dialogue you want to record. Rain protection is also needed where appropriate.

2. Separate recording.

Sure, DV cameras allow you to capture sound levels consistently. However, in some cases, these circuits cannot be disabled or bypassed. Deploying a separate audio recorder can solve this issue. You’ll get better audio and, given the sophistication of modern video editing software, syncing should not be an issue.

3. Choose you’re locations carefully

In many cases, it’s about location, location, location. When scouting spots, try to bring the camera you’ll be using and headphones. This will help you find problems before shooting starts. That wind chime may seem innocuous when listening with just your ears, but with headphones, your hearing will be much more focused.

4. Editing can fix lots of mistakes

The whole purpose of editing is to put together a cohesive product and correct any goofs that were made during filming. While a number of video editing software programs have effective audio editing functions, consider using separate, dedicated audio software. Audio programs usually give you many more tools to leverage.

And if that wind chime makes it into your footage, don’t panic. Restoration software can work as a standalone or a plug-in, letting you reduce or eliminate ambient noise, crackles and the dreaded hum from electronic devices.

5. Learn the basics

With a little bit of practice, you can improve your sound quality and learn how to make smooth audio edits to get rid of those unexpected coughs and sounds. Trimming your audio tracks and using tools such as cross-fading can make your videos better. Equalization (EQ) and mixing multiple audio tracks also makes sure that voices are emphasized at the right time and dampen sounds that you don’t want to be as prominent.

Learn more: Capture Every Moment: Transform VLC Player into a Screen Capture App!

What’s the Real Difference Between Free Web Browsers?

Many internet users, whether beginners or power users, don’t think twice about the browser they use. According to this analysis on Sitepoint, Google Chrome is tops in the market with over 54% of all Desktop and Tablet users.

So many features seem similar on different web browser products, and there may be a preferred browser for office or home use, but most people don’t really think about their options when given the opportunity.

However, there are significant differences among the various free browsers available today. Let’s take a look at some of the key differences among these 10 free browsers, which include the familiar Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer along with some great alternatives you might not have even heard about before.

Let’s Meet Our Competitors

OK, we’re going to go ahead and assume you’re already familiar with the big players in the Web Browser world: Google Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Safari. But what about the other six free browsers in our list? Here’s a quick look at these lesser-known free web browsers.

Avant Browser
Available in two versions, ultimate and lite, Avant Browser features quick page loading speed, low resource consumption, and built-in advertisement and pop-up blocking.

Deepnet Explorer
Deepnet Explorer brings together the web browser with an RSS news reader, P2P client integration and built-in detection and protection from phishing attempts.

Maxthon Cloud Browser
Maxthon is the perfect web browsing alternative for people who really like having options. It boasts a dual-screen option, extensive filter functions, and a built-in RSS reading feature.

Opera
Despite a strong fan base, the Opera Browser never really has been able to get the same attention as Chrome, IE, Firefox or Safari. This is a shame because it’s a great all-around web browser.

SeaMonkey
This web browser with a cute little name is like a little brother to Firefox. It’s built by the same people–the Mozilla Foundation–and it shares a lot of similarities. SeaMonkey attempts to bring broader Internet functionality to the browser, and includes an RSS Feed client, IRC chat and even a built-in HTML editor.

Torch
Torch Browser is an alternative browser built on Chrome that includes several compelling new features. It boasts audio & video download via streaming, a BitTorrent manager, it’s own download manager and several built-in social functions.

Now that you’ve met the competitors, let’s see how they stack up…

Speed

Your time is precious and you don’t want to waste it waiting for applications to load, especially a Web browser, which can be opened multiple times over the course of the day. And while initial loading speed isn’t necessarily the most important factor, it can be a leading indicator of overall performance of the browser.

In recent online tests using a special stopwatch utility, here are the three fastest-loading browsers from our group of 10. This is a very speedy bunch of web browsers.

Firefox (1.55 seconds)
Chrome (1.56 seconds)
Safari (1.85 seconds)

When the startup test was performed again, this time by loading each browser 10 times and calculating the average, Firefox again came out top with an average startup time of 1.09 seconds, followed by Safari (1.3 seconds) and Torch (1.5 seconds).

When it came to the navigation time to go from a browser to a different website, Torch was tops (2.8 seconds), followed by Firefox (3.21 seconds), and Opera (3.29 seconds).

On the other end, here are the three worst browsers for those measures:

Initial startup time: Deepnet Explorer (4.1 seconds), Internet Explorer (4.53 seconds), and Avant Browser (6.6 seconds)

Average startup time: Internet Explorer (2.7 seconds), Deepnet Explorer (3.5 seconds), and Avant Browser (5.4 seconds)

Navigation time: Deepnet Explorer (6.3 seconds), Avant Browser (6.4 seconds) and Internet Explorer (9.88 seconds)

Configurations Support

When it comes to operating systems, there is not a lot of variance among browsers. All 10 support Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows XP, and Windows Vista. All but four (Avant Browser, Deepnet Explorer, Internet Explorer, and Torch) support the Mac OS. Only four browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Maxthon, and Opera) can be found on Android while only four (Chrome, Maxthon, Opera, and Safari) have iOS editions.

Technical Help and Support

Web browsers are intuitive for both basic and advanced internet users. But every once in a while, you get stuck. When that happens, you want to be sure there are plenty of available resources to help you out.

Of the 10 browsers listed above, there are many commonalities involving technical help and support. Each browser provides the following resources: an online knowledge base, user forums, frequently asked questions, and email support.

Nine of the 10 offer an online user guide (Avant Browser is the exception). Eight of the 10 provide user tutorials (Avant Browser and Deepnet Explorer do not).

The one area where three browsers stand out from the crowd is old-school telephone support. Only Internet Explorer, Opera, and Safari let you get another human being on the phone to talk you through issues.

When taking speed, support, and systems into account, there are major differences among available browsers. Taking each for a spin lets you find the one that works best for you.

Features Compared: All of the Major Browsers Go Head to Head!

With so many good browsers available today, it’s hard to sort through all the great features and functions to find the one that works best. Many factors can determine the best browser for you, whether you’re a casual user, a serious researcher, a parent wanting to protect your children, or a business person.

Let’s take a closer look at the features available on some of the most popular browsers available today:

Chrome

Edge

Firefox

Internet Explorer

Opera

Safari

Vivaldi

What features set each of these browsers apart from the competition?

Browser Compatibility

When it comes to compatibility, there are some major differences. Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and Vivaldi work with Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux systems. Internet Explorer is limited to just Windows. Safari is only functional with Mac OS X, having eliminated Windows system version support. The newest player on the stage, Microsoft’s Edge, is only functional with Windows 10, not on older Windows operating systems.

Let’s take a closer look at the features and special functions of each browser.

Chrome

As the early leader in browser innovations, Chrome remains the leader in extension breadth. Chrome provides seamless interaction with other Google products such as Gmail or Google Drive.

Edge

It’s new, so it doesn’t have the vast libraries of add-ons and extensions as its competitors. This browser does have a clean “reader mode” that makes sitting back for a nice read much more enjoyable.

Firefox

As an open-source browser, Firefox offers frequent updates about every six weeks. Firefox has some extensions that make it stand out in the crowd, including support for Macbook Retina and grouped tabs. Given the extension history for Firefox, it remains the most customizable of all current browsers.

Internet Explorer

When you want to put a pin in it, IE is the way to go. The Microsoft stalwart lets you pin websites to a Windows 8 task bar. What sets IE apart with its pinning is the right-click feature, which lets you customize menus for specific pages such as Facebook.

Opera

Opera is all about bundling and privacy. Built-in ad blocking and VPN functions keep surfing results private and fast. The Speed Dial is what truly sets Opera apart. A customized touchscreen home page, Speed Dial lets you construct the all-in-one-place page that has all of your favorites arranged and accessible.

Safari

The Apple browser lags behind some of its competitors when it comes to customization. If you’re an iCloud user, Safari lets you integrate across platforms. Its Reader tool lets you read articles without bothersome ads or other clutter.

Vivaldi

Another new entry to the browser wars, Vivaldi does not support extensions by default. What sets Vivaldi apart right now is the ease of its customization and its notes feature that lets you track information about a specific URL or add a site as a sidebar.

With so many different options, there is certainly a browser that’s right for you. When browsing, you want to be sure you stay safe. To learn more, check out The Best Antiviruses of 2016.

Virtual Reality Browsing in 2016: Is It Worth It?

Virtual reality (VR) is a reality in 2016. The question for many web users is whether it is worth it.

While it may be early in the evolution of VR, there have been promising advances in a range of technologies, including web browsers. While many people think about the use of VR in gaming, news content and, ahem, intimate activities, the technology exists today to use VR to browse 2D content.

Let’s take a look at some of the VR web browsers on the market in 2016.

SteamVR Web Browser

It’s no surprise that Steam would take the lead in VR web browsing. The browsing experience on the SteamVR browser is rich and comprehensive. There is also a growing library of VR-compatible games to try out, too.
SteamVR provides for seamless transitions between browsing and playing games without jumping from application to application. In the Big Picture mode, the capable browser plays the games and can display nearly any type of web content, including Adobe Flash.

Oculus Web Browser

This free app for Windows features clean and basic VR browsing. It’s not very fancy, but the Oculus Web Browser renders pages beautifully and supports HTML. If you want to watch embedded HTML videos on sites like YouTube though, you’ll need to install a third-party codec.

JanusVR

Arguably one of the leading players right now in VR browsing, JanusVR provides a nearly complete immersive viewing experience. With JanusVR, links are interpreted as portals and pages become rooms. Pictures hang on virtual walls in environments that can be edited by users. If specific HTML tags are embedded, special 3D content appears. JanusVR is taking a different, albeit incomplete, approach.

Samsung Internet for Gear VR

Using either the Samsung Gear VR headset or Oculus, users can surf web content, including 3D and videos shot in 360 degrees that are available on Facebook and YouTube. For “regular” videos, the user has a far deeper, immersive experience with the content. The Samsung browser lets you import bookmarks, manage multiple tabs and use voice recognition. The Gaze Mode lets you open a menu by staring at it.

FullDive VR 3D Browser

Like most new technologies, a large portion of the available VR headsets are pretty pricey. The FullDive is an inexpensive alternative. Available on Google Play, the app driving the FullDive browser lets users browse the web in a VR space and allows text input either by voice command or onscreen keyboard tool. The fully downloaded version has lots of other toys to play with, but the user experience is still in need of refinement.

MozVR

Right now, the Mozilla project is basically a concept video rather than a full-fledged product, but there’s potential. Using an Oculus Rift, users who have installed the add-on (this is Mozilla, after all) can sample special content in a gallery. Many of those samples work with a Google Cardboard VR headset with an Android or iPhone.

There is so much excitement around VR web browsing, and with good reason. Keep your surfing safe and check out The Best Antiviruses of 2016.

360 Video in 2016: Can You Keep Up?

Examples of the extraordinary power of 360-degree video abound. On the first two pages of a Google search for “360 video”, you’ll find a wide range of examples: elephants, sharks and shipwrecks, musical performances, and even a tornado.

It is very likely that 360-degree video is the next big thing when it comes to online experiences. That prediction is largely based on the recent entry of arguably two of the most influential tech giants into the field of 360-degree video.

YouTube announced in March 2015 it was supporting uploads of 360-degree videos onto the video sharing platform. Using the YouTube mobile app or a desktop browser, users can experience 360-degree videos by moving a cursor (desktop) or their finger (mobile). Even embedded videos supported the new functionality.

YouTube developed partnerships with top makers of 360-degree cameras, including Bublcam, Giroptic, Kodak, and RICOH. Uploaders needed to add special scripting language to allow the videos to display in 360 degrees.

In September 2015, Facebook announced it would be adding 360-degree videos to its news feed. Users can now choose the angle from which to watch videos recorded using multiple cameras to record all 360 degrees of a scene at the same time.

Viewers can interact with the feature using the cursor (desktop) or finger (mobile) to change the perspective from which you see the videos. Early adopters partnering with Facebook included Saturday Night Live, Star Wars, and Discovery. By November, the feature was available on iOS devices.

In mid May 2016, the company announced that it also supported using 360-degree photos as well.

Transforming technology

What’s driving all of this innovation? Mostly, it’s the availability of inexpensive technology to make 360-degree videos. Cameras are available for several hundred dollars to create these visuals that just a few years ago cost thousands of dollars, required multiple staff, and were cumbersome to use.

As the prices continue to plummet, more and more consumers will find 360-degree videos an accessible, affordable, and viable recording option.

The potential is significant. At the widely popular music festival Coachella, YouTube was able to live stream selected performances for the first time. In addition, YouTube announced the introduction of spatial audio for some on-demand videos. By adjusting the perspective from which you view the music, you’re aural experience changes too. Distance, depth, and intensity will change depending on your virtual vantage point, allowing you to see and hear a virtual event even more like you would in person.

The possibilities are extraordinary! Its practical applications range from better instructional videos for students to auto accident reconstruction. Travelers can share experiences with much more detail. Journalists can provide more detailed perspectives while reporting stories. Entertainers can reach broader audiences with better performance experiences.

Although in-browser 360 video is amazing, you’ll still want to protect yourself when browsing the web. Check out The Best Antiviruses of 2016 for more.