GoPro’s first batch of Fusion 360 cameras is now headed to some big brands, agencies and content creators as part of a pilot program to help source initial content partners.
GoPro started taking applications in April. Picking from a pool of more than 20,000 applicants, the company has chosen 10 prospective 360 content creators to receive their unreleased 5.2k spherical video camera. Recipients include travel vlogger Louis Cole (‘FunForLouis’), the Golden State Warriors, USA TODAY NETWORK, FOX Sports, AccuWeather, Digital Domain, Getty Images, Legend 3D, Inc., Rapid VR, and RYOT.
“GoPro’s efforts to advance immersive capture are impressive and we’re excited to get our hands on Fusion,” said Michael Davies, FOX Sports SVP Field & Technical Operations. “We have a great slate of programming we’re hoping to experiment with using Fusion, including the CONCACAF Gold Cup, UFC and NCAA Football season this fall.”
“We are excited to get Fusion into the hands of creative professionals, both to see the content they create and also to receive feedback that helps us refine the overall user experience for when we launch Fusion to a broader audience later this year,” said Nicholas Woodman, founder and CEO at GoPro.
According to a hands-on by Apple Insider, the GoPro Fusion is fairly compact, fitting into a body slightly thinner than an Apple AirPort Express. Viewing through a Samsung Gear VR, Apple Insider reports that footage captured by the Fusion was clean and seamless thanks to GoPro’s software which “largely eliminated stitching between the twin lenses, and deleted any trace of unsightly mounts.”
Fusion will also come with special software for editing to make it easier for the average consumer to use the footage without being familiar with 360-degree video.
GoPro is launching a limited commercial release of Fusion by the end of 2017. No details on pricing or hard technical specs are currently available.
Applications for the Fusion Pilot Program are still open. the company expects to add more pilot partners to the program later this summer.