Virtual Reality for Any Church of Any Size - Facebook Video Oculus App
Oculus has recently made two additions to its Oculus Go device. I wrote in a previous post that an estimated 22 million virtual reality devices are floating out there in the world at the start of 2018. Oculus Go is expanding this market and most importantly bringing in non-gamers. Oculus Go focused on content apps like Netflix, Showtime, Hulu, Facebook, and family-friendly carnival games. Oculus Go is not what virtual reality will be, but its the stopgap to help move virtual reality into the future.
Two ways churches can leverage the platform without spending a dime:
Small Groups > Oculus Rooms app
- Weekend Services > Facebook Video app
“Watch the best Facebook videos on your TV including Facebook Shows, videos from friends and Pages you follow, top live, and recommended videos. Or revisit videos you’ve watched or shared on Facebook. Enjoy it all, with the new Facebook video app for TV.”
I’ve already written about the way small groups can use the Oculus Rooms app. In this post, I want to share about the Facebook Video app. The new Facebook Video app on Oculus Go allows you to access video content from any pages you follow along with Facebook Live events. The app also seamlessly integrates with the Oculus TV app. It's not a fancy app, but a fun video aggregator app by Oculus. The app is similar to Apple's TV App for the iPhone and Apple TV.
"Oculus TV is a hub for must-watch programming, from your favorite Hulu* and SHOWTIME* shows, sports programming including MLB Live games via Facebook Watch, the best in pulse-pounding esports, and more-all on a massive virtual screen, equivalent to a 180-inch TV in real life. Your New Living Room-Wherever You Are At the center of the Oculus TV experience is a sleek, modern, and entirely immersive viewing area. Designed with comfortable lounging in mind, this new space is blissfully distraction-free, making it the perfect place to binge watch your favorite shows or catch up on the latest Hollywood hits." - Oculus Team
What does this mean for your church?
Your church has easy to access content on virtual reality right now. Next step? Tell your members to download the Facebook Video app and make sure they already like your page. After installed, they can access past video content or tune in to your church's Facebook Live in the comfort of a virtual reality room.
No standalone app needed. No development costs. Free VR experience.