The latest Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue 2016 App takes a bold step into the world of VR, featuring an exciting new series of bikini clad, 360 video content. Naturally, we had to check it out, strictly for business review purposes of course… and well, let’s just say the lenses on your Google Cardboard will steam up pretty quickly with this app!
In addition to the standard photo content, the app (which is available on Android & Apple.) currently features 10, 360 videos. (5 of which are free to download and 5 that are accessible either $1.99 each, $4.99 for Premium or for VR print issue subscribers who also receive a branded Google Cardboard viewer.)
The swimsuit models currently featured are various shots featuring Nina Agdal, Irina Shayk and Hannah Davis. The 360 content, which was shot by Wevr is super high quality and the models are right in your face. There is also some amazing beach scenery. (Admittedly, I didn’t manage to see the beach though. Still looking…)
(Update, oh wait! We finally found the beach!)
Hats off to Sports Illustrated for taking their content to the next level. We think this is an excellent business case for selling 360 and VR as a premium content upsell and we hope to see more 360 & VR support in coming issues.
Sean Earley is the Executive Editor of AR/VR Magazine & co-founder of RobotSpaceship Podcast Network. He is the Director of New Biz Development and Publishing at KEMWEB, a musician, producer & consultant. He loves guitars, VR and coffee.
