ecosphere

ecosphere is a free media and travel and exploration app from PHORIA that presents 360-degree documentary episodes about conservation. It visits remote places where indigenous and local groups work to let people and wildlife thrive side by side. PHORIA calls it a social impact documentary platform. It has been on the Meta Horizon Store since June 7, 2020.

What you can do

The app is organized into seasons, and each episode is a 360-degree film you watch from inside the scene.

• Season 1: Kenya, Borneo and Raja Ampat, with Meta, WWF and Silverback Films Ltd as partners.
• Season 2: Sea of Islands and Pathways Colombia, with Musalem listed as coming soon. Partners are Media Farm Studios, Meta and the United Nations DPPA.

The second season follows people who work with the United Nations on the future of the planet. It shows how communities in Fiji and Colombia work together to become more resilient and to protect the people who come after them.

There is nothing to play or score here. It is a viewing app, best for anyone who enjoys nature documentaries and wants to feel present in the places they show.

Comfort

Meta rates it as comfortable for most people. It supports sitting, standing and room-scale play and uses controllers, with no hand tracking listed. Since the episodes are 360-degree video, you watch from a fixed point, so a swivel chair works well.

Platforms and what to know before buying

• Price: free on the Meta Horizon Store.
• Headsets: Meta Quest 3, Meta Quest 3S, Meta Quest Pro and Meta Quest 2, plus the original Meta Quest.
• Internet: not required.
• Ads: no in-app ads.
• Early access: no, it is a full release.
• Language: English.
• Age rating: 3+.