Hulu is now allowing users to watch its content in a virtual room with friends.
According to VentureBeat, the streaming service has partnered with Oculus to add support for Oculus Rooms to its Samsung Gear VR app. The update means viewers will be able to watch Hulu content in a room with friends who join in remotely.
Competing SVOD services like Netflix have also launched VR apps but Hulu’s recent update provides an important missing component from most VR experiences, and that’s a social aspect.
Hulu has also added support for Oculus Rift touch controllers so that viewers using Oculus’ VR headset will be able to use the handheld controllers to navigate content.
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As more VR hardware comes to market, SVODs have more platforms for which they have to make their content compatible.
Late last year, Google announced that HBO Now and HBO Go became available for the device. Later this month, Netflix will be available on the headset, which now works with the Motorola Moto Z and Moto Z Force smartphones as well. Netflix has already added support for Samsung’s Gear VR headset.
In the interest of addressing fragmentation concerns as the VR market grows, Sony, Google, Facebook and other companies announced the formation of the new Global Virtual Reality Association (GVRA).
“The organization will foster dialogue between public and private stakeholders in VR around the world and make education and training material available to the public. Working groups will be organized around important topics for the industry, enabling us to produce relevant research and guidance,” the GVRA said on its website. “We will also host and participate in international discussions on important topics in VR to shape the public discussion on the technology. Ultimately, the group will develop best practices and share them openly.”