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Few people can actually resist the temptation of getting into the holiday spirit, and the people at Google are the same as the rest of us. Well, that, plus they make a lot more money, but that’s beside the point. Anyway, in the holiday spirit, plus in order to show off one of their new technologies, Google published an interactive 360 degree video on YouTube from Aardman Animations.
“Special Delivery” spotlight story
From the minds of the people behind ‘Wallace and Gromit’ and ‘Shaun the Sheep’ comes this new animation masterpiece, that allows you to look around the setting, as well as to get multiple endings and surprises.
The more times you watch the video, the more things you’ll be able to discover, as since you can turn the camera around at 360 degrees, there are a lot of details you will miss during your first dozen views.
Yes, you read that right. You can watch it over a dozen times, and still miss a lot of things. According to Aardman Animations, the story contains 10 subplots; there are three potential ways for you to view the ending, as well as more than 60 moments that allow you to follow the story in different ways.
The story follows a caretaker that notices a stranger up to mischief on the roof and goes to confront him. Of course, the stranger turns out to be Santa, and shenanigans ensue.
Technology and limitations
Google announced that this is but the first in their series of short, interactive, 360 degree videos, called spotlight stories, and that they will attempt to make them viewable on all platforms.
However, there are a number of limitations so far, but Google is going to try to fix them.
The technology was devised by Google’s Advanced Technology and Products, a division bought from Motorola in 2011.
For Android users, it’s possible to look around the video simply by moving the phone around, using its accelerometer and gyroscope. Pc users will have to use the mouse in order to navigate through the scenery.
Regarding the aforementioned limitations, only certain phones can take advantage of the system, and even use the Google cardboard VR device. The models in question are HTC One M7, the Galaxy Note, LG G2 and G3, the Nexus 5 and 6, and Samsung’s Galaxy S5.
More similar videos will be uploaded by the company next year.
Image source: Flickr
