Meta Trials Quest UI Revamp and 3D Instagram Photos in Latest Horizon OS Update

Oh man, where do I even start with this one? So, Meta, you know the big ol’ company that always seems to have something cooking in the VR world, just threw out a new test for Quest users in their latest Horizon OS (v77, if numbers are your thing). They’re shaking things up with a fresh launcher overlay—sounds fancy, right? And, hold up, they’re also toying with 3D Instagram photos on Quest. Not sure how I feel about that yet, but hey, it’s something.

Back at Connect 2024 (which feels like forever ago), Meta teased this thing called Navigator. Finally, it’s hitting Quest. It’s meant to be this central hub or whatever for your apps and quick actions. You know that feeling when you’re digging through your phone for something, and you see all those apps staring back at you? Kinda like that vibe. And, get this, you can pin up to 10 things in your library. So, if you’ve got a short memory like me, that’s a win.

Meta’s rambling about how Navigator is all about ease and spatial systems and whatnot. Multitasking is gonna be easier, they say. Maybe they’ve got a point, or maybe it’s just corporate fluff. I’ll leave that one hanging. But if you’re into fiddling with settings mid-game or mid-anything, this might be the thing for you.

Oh, and there’s this YouTuber called ‘The Construct’ who’s got a video on Navigator. If you’re the kind who enjoys rabbit holes on the internet, give it a watch. They’re demo-ing how it all works. First impressions and all that jazz.

Anyway, the deal is Navigator’s rolling out to a few peeps in the Public Test Channel first. If you’re one of those brave explorers, congrats. For the rest of us, patience is a virtue, or at least that’s what they say.

Now, switch gears with me for a second—Instagram’s getting a little makeover on Quest too. Meta’s testing something where their AI does this magic trick, turning your 2D photos 3D. Wild, right? It’s like they’re building this bridge from today’s screens to tomorrow’s immersive wonderlands. Or something like that.

If you’re the kind of person who loves pressing buttons and toggling switches, there’s a note about enrolling in Quest’s Public Test Channel. It’s all through the Meta Horizon app on your phone, diving through settings like ‘Devices’ and ‘Advanced Settings.’ Toggle this, switch that—easy peasy.

And that, my friends, is the latest dish from Meta’s VR world. Wonder what’s next? Only time will tell. Or maybe a leaky insider. Who knows.