Getty Images, the stock image company known for its vast archive of copyrighted photos, is now publishing some of their spherical content on the Gear VR ‘360 Photos’ app, with the promise of future access on the new Oculus Rift set to release Q1 2016.
With a constantly growing archive of over 80 million copyrighted images under its belt, Getty Images has turned a curious eye towards VR by freely publishing a number of their 360 images directly to Gear VR. The company’s collection of 360 content will also be available on Oculus Home, the companion software to the much awaited Oculus Rift.
Their pro-quality spherical images range from scenic vistas overseeing Greek vineyards and European town squares, to exclusive events like the Cannes Film Festival and 2014 FIFA World Cup.
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“Captured by the world’s best photographers we have unrivaled 360 degree imagery and it is exhilarating to see this content fuel the next generation of virtual reality experiences. The 360° View by Getty Images collection enables a deeply engaging experience in virtual reality, a technology poised to transform the way individuals interact with the visual world,” said Hugh Pinney, VP of Editorial content for Getty Images.
Gear VR’s ‘360 Photos’ app is a curated space where users can freely view compelling 360 content. Opening the doors to more high-quality photo-spheres from a global partner such as Getty Images, will significantly increase the depth and breadth of the content available on Oculus Home.