Facebook 'working on virtual reality video smartphone app'

Facebook is reportedly working on an app that will take 'spherical' videos, in an attempt to bring virtual reality to mobile phones.

Mark Zuckerberg has been quoted as saying virtual reality "is the obvious next thing after video" for the social network, which last year snapped up Oculus VR, the maker of the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset.

To follow through on that vision, the company is working on a standalone smartphone app, the Wall Street Journal reported.

It would allow users to take 360-degree videos, moving inside the video to view it from different angles, it added.

It is thought the app would be available on Apple and Android devices, though it is unclear when or if it would be launched.

Facebook bought Oculus for $2 billion (£1.3 billion) last year.

Its Rift headset is expected to go on sale for early next year for around $1,000.

It has so far been put to use in gaming and a partnership with Microsoft means Xbox One users will be able to stream games to the device via a computer with Windows 10.