Category: The New York Times

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The New York Times VR Now Available for Samsung Gear VR

As announced on the Oculus Blog, NYT VR is now available for users of Samsung Gear VR, featuring a full library of immersive virtual reality (VR) films from the New York Times.

In addition to the VR films created for the New York Times, Samsung Gear VR users will also have access to The Daily 360, a curated selection of 360-degree films from journalists all over the world that were created with Samsung Gear 360 cameras.

Various staff from the New York Times spoke about NYT VR and VR technology in general. Marcelle Hopkins, Deputy Director, Video and Co-Director, VR said: “VR has proven to be a valuable tool for journalism. With this immersive medium, we’re able to take our audience directly to the stories that matter—from an ice shelf in Antarctica to the frontline of Fallujah—to better understand the world around us.”

Graham Roberts, Director of Immersive Platforms Storytelling added: “Whether through powerfully written stories, affecting photography and video, or revealing interactive graphics, The New York Times has been transporting readers to help them make sense of the world for over 165 years. Now we have a new tool—virtual reality—that offers a compelling opportunity to transport, and to create meaning and connections. We are excited to continue our explorations and innovations within this new medium that further elevates our journalism to be ever more impactful and necessary.”

Finally, Varun Shetty, Executive Director, Strategy and Business Development said: “We’re excited to launch our NYT VR app on Oculus and Gear VR. Building a home for our our award-winning virtual reality journalism on the Oculus platform was a top priority for The Times in 2017. We’re looking forward to building a strong relationship with Oculus and working with them to push forward the virtual reality medium and news efforts within VR.”

VRFocus will keep you informed on new VR experiences and apps as they become available.

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New York Times Sponsors VR Film Screening at SIGGRAPH

Well-known newspaper the New York Times will be sponsoring a special screening of virtual reality (VR) short film Under A Cracked Sky along with a special presentation on the New York Times’ integration of VR as part of SIGGRAPH 2017, a conference and exhibition on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques.

Director of Immersive platforms and storytelling for the New York Times will present a 40-minute talk on the mew medium of VR and how the New York Times is integrating the technology into its news reporting. The presentation will also include a showing of VR short film The Antarctica Series: Under A Cracked Sky.

“We are beyond thrilled to be welcoming Graham Roberts, the man who helped spearhead and establish the Times’ NYT VR program, to our conference this year,” said Jerome Solomon, conference chair for SIGGRAPH 2017. “Having a project with the pedigree and prestige of ‘Under A Cracked Sky’ truly establishes the fact that we continue to present our attendees with world-class material and technologies. I am certain people will enjoy Graham’s presentation and short film — after all, it doesn’t get more impressive than The New York Times!”

Graham Roberts notes, “VR is an incredible new tool that gives people a different perspective — it offers the feeling of full immersion within our news stories and reports. I see VR as an important change in the way in which people digest news and interact with the media: It’s a new paradigm through which people can experience brand-new perceptions of the world … it transports the viewer somewhere he or she has never been before.”

SIGGRAPH 2017 will be held on 30th July – 2rd of August in Los Angeles. Further information and tickets can be found at the official SIGGRAPH website.

VRFocus will bring you further information on VR-related events as it becomes available.

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Life In 360°: Insect Royalty In Mexico

Some weeks on ‘Li360’ we end up with something akin to a theme for the week, although with this last week the only theme we’ve had is that there simply hasn’t been one. From Wrestlemania on Monday to flying over Yosemite on Wednesday, we’re doing all sorts of things. We’re not even staying in America for today’s video, thus curtailing even that semblance of cohesion, and we’re again doing something different. This time we’re letting the world, and nature, move around us. As opposed to us moving through it.

We’re off to Michoacan in Mexico to a special butterfly reserve where monarch butterflies have arrived following a long migratory journey from Eastern Canada, a trip of up to 3000 miles for some. The video, produced by The New York Times and Samsung and entitled ‘Basking In Butterflies’ shows a number of locations around the biosphere where the butterflies are either resting or dancing about in the sunlight, zipping over your head and around you in a never ending dance.

It’s quite a sight.

VRFocus will be back on Monday of course with another example of 360 degree video.