Google lets you embed 360-degree content into apps and websites with VR View

If you remain unconvinced that VR is going to be the next big thing, then I’m not even going to argue with you. Say hi to the folks at the Flat Earth Society for me the next time you guys get together. To everyone else, it’s becoming increasingly clear that this technology that seemed fringe and niche even just a year ago is going mainstream in a big way, and major players like Google are doing everything they can to boost its signal. The latest innovation from the sultan of search? VR View: a clean and easy way to put immersive content directly into your website, Android app, or iOS app.

VR View supports 360 VR images or videos, and they can be interacted with in 2D on a regular screen, or in 3D through the use of a Cardboard viewer. All it takes to throw this kind of content onto a website is a simple iframe, and to integrate it seamlessly into your app, just grab the latest Cardboard SDK for Android or iOS and make a few tweaks here and there.

It’s Google’s hope that this technology can benefit a range of industries from travel to real estate to entertainment to reporting. They want to see VR content become ubiquitous across the web. It’s pretty easy to see the advantages of this kind of quick-VR integration. Touring apartments while you’re looking for a new place will be easier than ever, and taking in the view from a number of resort hotels while you’re planning your next getaway will ensure that you’ve got the best vista for romance.

What do you think of Google’s attempt to bring VR to the internet and mobile apps at large? Fool’s errand, or the next obvious step in innovation for the technology? Let us know your opinion and where you see VR going in the near future in the comments below! If you’d like to check out how to start putting VR content on your website or app, check out the developer’s page over here.

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