Meta is reshaping the way we live social media in virtual reality, launching a new capability that brings everyday Instagram images to life in 3D on Quest headsets. It’s not some gimmicky trial run—this is a significant leap toward making our online existence feel more real and embodied, powered by cutting-edge AI.
So, how exactly does it work? With AI view synthesis algorithms, Quest headsets are now able to introduce depth and realism into any ordinary Instagram photo—no fancy cameras or elaborate setup necessary. It’s a subtle but dramatic makeover: flat pictures are automatically re-rendered pixel by pixel to look dimensional and realistic when seen through a headset.
For the time being, the feature is available in limited testing, so not all users will have their Instagram feed come to life in 3D immediately. But for those who are part of the early release, it’s a sneak peek at how social content might develop into a more immersive, spatial experience.
This 3D refresh is only one of the many improvements in the larger v77 system update coming to Meta Quest 3, Quest 3S, Quest Pro, and Quest 2. Among the largest changes is the addition of Navigator, a new system interface that will act as the hub of your VR existence. Imagine it as the Quest equivalent of the Windows Start menu—simplified, quick to access, and tailored to virtual reality’s specific requirements.
With Navigator, you can bring games, apps, notifications, and system settings to you in a single overlay. You can pin a maximum of 10 favorite apps or games for instant access and turn them on by merely pressing the Meta or Oculus button on the right controller. It comes in without breaking your existing layout, so you can multitask effortlessly.
The v77 update brings many other significant changes as well:
- Movable Windows: You can now choose a window to roam with you throughout your virtual environment—ideal for multitasking without continual repositioning.
- Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) Audio Support: This beta feature supports compatible speakers and headphones with improved efficiency and reduced power consumption.
- Text to Speech: A New accessibility feature reads aloud text on the screen when you move over it, making VR more accessible to visually impaired users.
- Personalizable Name Tags: Although frames on name tags are being discontinued, you can still make them personalized using stickers.
- Smarter Meta AI Activation: Meta AI is now activated with a two-button combination—pressing the Meta button and then the grip button—to minimize accidental activations.
This isn’t Meta’s initial venture into 3D photos. A feature on Facebook back in 2018 used dual-lens images to build depth. What makes this new one stand out is that it uses AI to convert any flat image into a 3D experience, making the tech accessible to everyone, with no additional hardware required.
And more than a simple graphic trick, the update represents a bigger push toward a more experiential digital future. As Meta continues to marry AI, VR, and social media, it’s obvious they’re working toward stepping beyond two-dimensional screens and into spaces you can step into.
With v77, the Quest platform is moving slowly toward that vision—one photo at a time, one update at a time, one headset at a time.