WSJ launches virtual reality app

The Wall Street Journal launched Thursday the WSJ virtual reality app on Daydream.

Viewers will experience the Journal’s journalism on Google’s Daydream platform. They can step inside a virtual room specially designed for the app and stay informed with breaking news, follow the markets with a live markets data visualization and immerse themselves in compelling narratives with interactive 360-degree videos.

The first interactive 360-degree video on the WSJ VR app tells the story of cyclist Denise Mueller who is seeking to become the fastest woman ever on a bicycle. The film follows her to the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah to capture her land speed record attempt.

“We’ve produced interactive, virtual reality storytelling that allows the Journal’s reporters and editors to take readers and viewers of our journalism anywhere in the world,” said Andy Regal, global head of video at The Journal, in a statement. “With this new technology, we look forward to deepening our audience’s connections to the people behind the most compelling stories across the globe.”

Over the coming weeks, the WSJ VR app will feature new interactive 360-videos that take viewers behind the scenes to see multimillion dollar classic cars, the jungles of Colombia and the set of a hit primetime TV show.

Roger Kenny,‎ ‎design tech lead, VR at Dow Jones, will oversee technology of the WSJ VR app. He is the company’s first employee dedicated solely to virtual reality and augmented reality platforms and was instrumental in the Journal’s launch into virtual reality last year with the award-winning 3D NASDAQ interactive.

The WSJ VR app is available for download from Google Play. Users will need Daydream View, the virtual reality headset and controller, and any Daydream-ready phone, such as Pixel or Pixel XL, from Google.