Instagram is currently running an experiment that could fundamentally change how you interact with video content on the platform. The test involves a Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode for Reels, a feature that enables videos to “pop out” of the app and play in a floating window.
Imagine watching a Reel and being able to swipe home, open your messages, and reply to a friend, all while the video continues to play in the corner of your screen. That is the experience Instagram is testing with a small group of users. This move would finally put Instagram on par with other major video platforms in terms of multitasking capabilities.
The implications are huge. For users, it means more freedom and less frustration. For creators, it means a more “sticky” content experience, likely leading to higher completion rates for their videos and better overall engagement. The platform has confirmed that users will be able to easily disable the feature if they so choose.
This forward-looking experiment is coupled with a very concrete and immediate improvement: a brand-new, fully native iPad app. The app is designed to make use of the larger screen, offering a more comfortable and immersive browsing and viewing experience for tablet users.
