YouTube offers an instant portal into everything weird, wacky and downright out therethat the online world has to offer. The latest phenomenon sweeping the video-sharing site is 360-degree videos: yes, videos that let you glimpse the action from all angles and directions -- not just where the camera is pointing.
Here's a round up of the most mind-blowing 360-degree videos available right now. As long as you're using a Chrome browser you can tap and drag to move around the camera -- or if you're using the YouTube app on an Android device, simply move your smartphone to pan around.
Bear in mind that some of the quality isn't great: it's still early days and 360-degree videos take up 4 to 5 timesas much bandwith as a traditional YouTube video -- but, as these examples show, the possibilities are endless...
Go Formula One racing
Ever wanted to experience the white-knuckle rush of Formula One racing? Now you can almost literally get into the driver's seat and take a McLaren car for a spin around the track in this high-octane 360-degree video from Red Bull. Phew.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClAuhgFQpLo&feature=youtu.be
Take a hot air balloon rope swing
If heights are really not your thing, then look away now. This queasy-making video takes you hundreds of miles above the ground in a hot air balloon with an intrepid group of rope-swinging adrenaline junkies. Don't. Look. Down.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RPurvYriHI
Experience a sweaty, raving music festival
If you've always liked the idea of going to a completely insane, non-stop music festival, but can't quite bring yourself to face the idea of three days of portaloos, bad hygiene and mud-bathing, then this is for you. Experience all the glorious madness of Belgium's Tomorrowland music festival without even needing to reach for your wellies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j81DDY4nvos&list=PLbsGxdAPhjv_tgCNWGaGvSnlIMZNkmnrM&index=2
Get trapped in a spine-tingling horror movie
DimensionGate Inc. specialise in 360-degree horror, sci-fi and fantasy films – and as this unnerving horror film shows, the results are eerily atmospheric and genuinely knee-jerking. Not for the easily spooked.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mFFr8LBsUg
Ride over the Swiss Alps in a fighter jet
Shot from the cockpit of a Swiss Air Force F-5 jet by Patrouille Suisse, this video offers breathtaking bird's-eye views of the Swiss Alps from high above the clouds. A flying experience you don't exactly get by travelling British Airways...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdZ02-Qenso
Go scuba diving with your clothes on
Get up close to shoals of languidly swimming fish, beautiful coral reefs and the fascinating marine life thriving below the waves of Green Island, Taiwan. Whether you're a diving aficionado or just fancy a serene underwater escape, this 360-degree video is strangely mesmerising – and better yet, no wetsuit is needed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OzlksZBTiA
Get turned upside down on a rollercoaster
If you're addicted to the adrenaline rush of rollercoasters, then this video will have you hitting the replay button until you're dizzy. Bringing the thrills and spills of an extreme loop-the-loop rollercoaster at the Parc Asterix theme park to white-knuckle life, this is definitely not for those who like to keep their feet firmly on the ground. Sick bags at the ready!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDcbc1tAneQ
View the Earth from the ISS
This 360-degree VR experience aims to recreate what it would be like to view Earth from space, aboard the International Space Station. But if being as near as you're ever likely to get to being an astronaut for 64 seconds isn't exciting enough, you're also treated to being caught up in a spontaneous meteorite shower. Now you didn't get that in Gravity...
Fly a WWII fighter plane
Captured at the 2015 Abbotsford International Air Show, this video puts you in the cockpit of a P-51D Mustang "VALHALLA" jet. Pan to the right and you can also see the Air Combat Command's F-22 Raptor flying side-by-side.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=10&v=-RFjROsovWs
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
