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Google’s secret weapon for creating amazing immersive virtual reality experiences

Updated May 28th, 2015 2:49PM EDT
Google VR GoPro Jump YouTube Platform
Image: GoPro

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Google on Thursday unveiled a variety of interesting new products and initiatives at Google I/O 2015, including Android M, Google Now, Google Photos, which will be available to users in the near future. But the company also took the wraps off its new major virtual reality plans, revealing a secret weapon that will help it offer users amazing immersive VR experiences.

For the latest breaking news from Google’s event, be sure to check out our event hub!

Google has partnered up with GoPro to create a special Array camera that can capture 360-degree footage (see image above). The device records video with help of 16 cameras, stitching together the video captured by each of them to create a virtual experience.

Google will then use its new Jump VR software to upload the video to YouTube, from where users will be able to access it using VR headsets.

Videos recorded with Array can be played on the Cardboard low-cost VR headset that Google introduced last year. At Google I/O, the company also announced an updated, improved Google Cardboard headset.

Google’s complex GoPro / Jump project will be available to users starting with July.

Chris Smith Senior Writer

Chris Smith has been covering consumer electronics ever since the iPhone revolutionized the industry in 2008. When he’s not writing about the most recent tech news for BGR, he brings his entertainment expertise to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and other blockbuster franchises.

Outside of work, you’ll catch him streaming almost every new movie and TV show release as soon as it's available.