Disney's Star Wars released a 360-degree clip on Facebook on Tuesday to promote the social network's launch of a 360 video service—a new feature which allows the viewer to look around see the action from different angles.
The 56-second clip was created by Lucasfilm's ILMxLAB—Industrial Light & Magic's Experience Lab—and allows Facebook users to look around in all directions as the camera moves through a desert on the planet of Jakku, which will feature in Star Wars: The Force Awakens—the latest film of the Star Wars franchise due for release December 18.
When the video is viewed on the computer, dragging the cursor on the video adjusts the view. While on mobile devices, moving the phone or tablet around changes the view.
At the moment, a special set of cameras are required used to record a 360 video but Facebook have plans to make it accessible for all users as technology improves.
Facebook said in a press release: "In the future, imagine watching 360 videos of a friend's vacation to a small village in France or a festival in Brazil — you'll be able to look around and experience it as if you were there.
"Along with updates from your friends and family, you will also be able to discover amazing new content on Facebook from media companies, organizations, and individual creators."
The 360-degree feature isn't currently available for Apple customers using iOS but Facebook said they plan to work on this over next few months.
Other 360 videos released on Facebook include clips from GoPro, NBC, Discovery and Vice News.
However, Facebook are not the first to launch the interactive video. Their main rival in online video, Youtube, released a 360 video channel earlier this year in March.
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