Quest v77 Tests A Total UI Overhaul & 3D Instagram Photos
Meta is rolling out the Horizon OS interface overhaul to some Quest owners on the PTC and will bring it to everyone "over the coming months". The new system interface, called Navigator, was announced at Connect 2024 back in September with a short teaser clip. With v77 of Horizon OS, Meta says Navigator is rolling out to some users on the Public Test Channel (PTC), expected to gradually reach all users over time.
The Navigator Interface
Navigator moves main system interfaces like Library, Quick Controls, and Camera into a new overlay that appears over both immersive and 2D apps. This includes a translucent background, a significant departure from the previous approach of treating system interfaces like any other 2D app. The library feature allows users to pin up to 10 items, reminiscent of the start menu on Windows. Meta has indicated that Navigator is just the beginning of a broader evolution of Horizon OS, with more enhancements planned for spatial computing in the future.
"We designed Navigator based on everything we’ve learned over the last decade. And this is just the beginning of a broader evolution of Horizon OS. We’ve got much more planned for the future of spatial computing, so stay tuned," Meta writes.
3D Instagram Photos
Meta is also "running a test" of turning photos in some users' Instagram feeds into 3D using the Instagram app on Quest. Through AI view synthesis algorithms, Meta can convert existing 2D photos into an immersive format, adding depth to images when viewed on Quest.
"Thanks to our AI view synthesis algorithms, we can transform the existing photos that show up in Instagram feed pixel by pixel—no fancy 3D cameras required. That means flat photos that weren’t originally captured in 3D will automatically be converted into an immersive format that gives 2D images a sense of depth when you view them on Quest," the company explains.
Horizon OS v77 Updates
Meta states that v77 of Quest's Horizon OS brings various changes and features. As with all Horizon OS updates, v77 will roll out gradually over a period of days or weeks. Even after updating to v77, some listed features may not be immediately available due to separate feature rollouts.
Developers have raised concerns about performance regression with recent Horizon OS updates. Meta's CTO has acknowledged these issues and stated that the company is actively working to address them.
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