09-01-2017 | MALTE REINHARDT

• Deutsche Telekom is expanding its Virtual and Augmented Reality offerings
• Magenta Virtual Reality app as a central platform for the VR experience
• Deutsche Telekom Message+ app for video calls with AR effects

Deutsche Telekom is adding two new free services to its Virtual and Augmented Reality portfolio. The new Magenta Virtual Reality app provides users with exclusive VR material – from 360° videos through to VR apps – all on one central platform. With Telekom Message+, Deutsche Telekom is now the first provider in Germany to add automatic emotion recognition and AR elements to video calls to really up the fun factor.

“Thanks to Telekom, it will be particularly easy to experience new, virtual worlds: With Magenta Virtual Reality, we bundle exciting VR and 360° content in one app,” says Michael Hagspihl, head of Consumers at Telekom Deutschland. “We invite everyone to take advantage of Telekom's latest innovation – with every Android smartphone, with or without VR glasses – and go on a new virtual journey with us.”

Top entertainment with Magenta Virtual Reality

Magenta Virtual Reality is Deutsche Telekom’s new VR platform. It combines the best VR content in sport, music and entertainment. The package includes Deutsche Telekom’s own content such as sport videos in 360° and all MagentaMusik 360 concerts. What’s more, users can enjoy exclusive 360° videos and VR app collaborations with partners such as Red Bull, Jaunt and Digital Domain.

No matter who your mobile phone provider is, anyone can use Magenta Virtual Reality on their smartphone for free. All that’s required is for you to place your smartphone into a set of VR goggles or cardboard frame – and off you go! If you prefer, the app can also be used without VR goggles in 360° mode. The app is available for Android and supports Samsung Gear VR powered by Oculus, Google Daydream and Google Cardboard. The higher the resolution of the smartphone’s display, the better the result.

Telekom Message+ – emotion recognition and AR effects during video calls

Deutsche Telekom is the first German provider to offer Snapchat’s popular AR effects in live video calls. The Telekom Message+ app automatically recognizes users’ emotions and can add numerous overlay masks or fore- and backgrounds. It’s a great way to have even more fun with video calls – without eating away at your data allowance. Deutsche Telekom customers can download the app free of charge from Google Play. iOS users can also get in on the game with Telekom Message+ from the end of September.