Meta jumps ahead of Android XR by incorporating spatial scrolling into Instagram
Meta is piloting a test that adds a more interactive dimension to Instagram photos, using technology developed by its Reality Labs division. The test entails converting traditional 2D images to an immersive 3D format when viewed through the Meta Quest VR headset. Meta's AI view synthesis algorithms are leveraged to make this transformation.
In a blog post, Meta announced that select users will soon be able to experience this 3D photos feature on Instagram while scrolling through their feed using a Quest headset. The company cautions that this test is limited and may take some time before it becomes widely available.
Elsewhere, Meta introduced a new test for users enrolled in its Public Test Channel. This update features a new interface called "Navigator," which consolidates apps, games, friends, settings, and more in one convenient location. Testers can pin up to 10 apps for quicker access, and the library will display the most frequently used apps when needed.
In the realm of extended reality (XR) devices, Android XR, Google's operating system, was showcased at Google I/O 2025. During the event, the company highlighted its plans for Gemini-powered smart glasses and AR glasses, boasting of their multimodal interaction capabilities, real-time overlays, and deep Gemini AI integration. However, as of now, there has been no wide-scale rollout or detailed demonstration of spatial scrolling specifically within Google’s own apps for XR devices.
In comparison, Meta has already initiated limited testing of spatial scrolling for Instagram on Meta Quest devices through its Public Test Channel. This test makes Instagram content more interactive using the Quest’s spatial interface, setting a lead in end-user testing for social apps on XR devices. Google's Android XR, while ambitious in its vision for spatial features across its app ecosystem, currently lacks a publicly available, app-specific implementation of spatial scrolling for end-users.
In summary, Meta is ahead in real-world spatial scrolling tests for social apps on XR devices, whereas Google’s Android XR is still undergoing development and collaboration phases for such features. Reddit users are encouraged to visit our website for the latest updates on these developments.
Meta's spatial scrolling test for Instagram on Meta Quest devices, using social-media and technology, has already begun, offering a more interactive experience for select users. Meanwhile, Google's Android XR, while integrating AI and aiming for spatial features, currently lacks a public, app-specific implementation of spatial scrolling, which is being test-led by Meta in the realm of social apps on XR devices.
