As more people begin to prefer reading the news on their mobile devices, The New York Times is reminding its subscribers—and potential new ones—that there are still some perks to subscribing to the print version of the paper.
The New York Times will launch it own virtual reality app next month, and to celebrate its release the media outlet has plans to deliver a free Google Cardboard headset to its 1.1 million print subscribers. In addition, Times Insider subscribers and a select amount of Times digital subscribers will have a promo sent to their email that will allow them to also redeem the headset for free.
The Google Cardboard VR viewers will be shipped along with a copy of The New York Times over the weekend of Nov. 7 and 8.
"Google Cardboard brings the magic of virtual reality to anyone with a smartphone in an easy-to-use way," Mike Jazayeri, director of project management for VR at Google, said in a press release. "We're excited to support The New York Times's use of immersive storytelling at an unprecedented scale to bring awareness to this important issue."
Developed in collaboration with the virtual reality studio IM360, the app called NYT VR will feature a series of virtual reality short films that will be released throughout the end of the year and continue throughout 2016.
The first film to be released is titled The Displaced, which tells the story of three child refugees from South Sudan, eastern Ukraine and Syria. It was made in collaboration with virtual reality company Vrse.
Other VR films will include a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the "Walking New York" cover image, along with a third film that will be released in December, with more planned for next year.
"The power of VR is that it gives the viewer a unique sense of empathic connection to people and events," Jake Silverstein, editor in chief of The New York Times Magazine, said in a press release. "In the context of international reporting and conflict reporting, where our readers rely on us to bring them news and stories from remote and inaccessible places, this has huge potential. Through this immersive video experience, we can put our readers at the center of the most important story of our time."
Along with viewers being able to watch the film in virtual reality using the Google Cardboard viewer, a 2D version of the film will also be released on the NYT website.
The NYT VR app will launch on Nov. 5 for free for iOS 8 and higher and Android 4.3 and higher.
Source: The New York Times
Photo: Becky Stern | Flickr
