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Google’s Spotlight Stories Now Available on iOS

Previously developed for Android phones, immersive, 360-degree interactive animated films from Jan Pinkava, Glen Keane, Mark Oftedal and Justin Lin are now available on the iPhone and iPad.

'Buggy Night' directed by Mark Oftedal.

Google Spotlight Stories, a mobile app featuring immersive, 360-degree interactive animated films, has now made its way to iOS devices. The app has been available on Android phones since fall 2013, when Google first introduced the new mobile storytelling format to consumers.

The app offers stories built using 3D and 2D animations, boasting 360-degree spherical cinema-quality video, sound sphere audio, and “sensor fusion techniques” that take advantage of the device’s gyroscope, accelerometer and other sensors to provide an immersive viewing experience. Rather than employing a locked camera position, the Spotlight Stories allow users to explore the animated content by moving their bodies and phones to view different parts or angles of the stories as they unfold.

All four of the Google Spotlight Stories previously available only on the Android platform are now available for the iPhone and iPad, including Windy Day from Google Spotlight Stories creative director Jan Pinkava, Duet from legendary animator Glen Keane, Buggy Night from Mark Oftedal, and the short film Help by Fast and Furious director Justin Lin.

Forthcoming projects already in production include Shannon Tindle’s On Ice, Patrick Osborne’s Pearl, Felix Massie’s Rain or Shine, and Aardman’s holiday-themed Special Delivery directed by Tim Ruffle.

Glen Keane's 'Duet.'

Jan Pinkava's 'Windy Day.'

'HELP' directed by Justin Lin.

(via The Verge)

Jennifer Wolfe's picture

Formerly Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network, Jennifer Wolfe has worked in the Media & Entertainment industry as a writer and PR professional since 2003.