X expands its vertical video feed to global users

Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, is rapidly expanding its new X Video Feed, a dedicated vertical video experience, to users worldwide. After its initial rollout in the U.S., the feature is now reaching global markets, including India, Australia, and several European regions. This marks a significant shift in X’s strategy to compete in the ever-evolving video-driven social media landscape, as confirmed by a company spokesperson.

The feature, currently available only on iOS, provides users with a seamless, TikTok-inspired video-scrolling experience through a designated tab in the app. Positioned prominently next to the Grok button, the X Video Feed integrates short-form videos with an engaging swipe-up navigation style, capitalizing on the growing popularity of vertical video formats.

A Gradual Yet Strategic Rollout

The global rollout of the X Video Feed is underway, but Android users will have to wait as the feature is still exclusive to iOS devices. While X has not specified when the Android version will become available, the staggered rollout strategy allows the company to refine the feature based on user feedback.

X’s move to enhance its video experience aligns with a broader trend in the social media industry. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube have set the standard for short-form, immersive video content that drives user engagement. By incorporating these features, X aims to establish itself as a competitor in this lucrative market.

Leveraging Uncertainty Around TikTok

X’s launch of the vertical video feed comes at a time when TikTok faces potential bans or regulatory hurdles in key markets. In the U.S., the platform’s future remains uncertain, as lawmakers and regulators continue to scrutinize its ownership and data security practices. The enforcement of a TikTok ban has been paused, but the platform’s vulnerability provides an opportunity for competitors like X to capture market share.

With TikTok’s dominance in short-form video being questioned, X is positioning its video feed as a compelling alternative. The platform’s integration of video ads after every few scrolls is not only a revenue-generating strategy but also a way to keep users engaged for longer periods.

The Role of the X Video Feed in Driving Revenue

The X Video Feed isn’t just about entertainment—it’s a key revenue driver for the platform. By embedding ads seamlessly within the video feed, X has adopted a monetization model similar to Instagram Reels and TikTok. This feature allows advertisers to tap into highly engaged audiences while enabling X to diversify its revenue streams.

Moreover, video content has proven to be more engaging than static posts, meaning users are likely to spend more time on the app. The combination of ad placement and increased screen time positions the X Video Feed as a powerful tool for boosting the platform’s profitability.

X’s Expanding Video Ecosystem

The rollout of the vertical video feed is the latest addition to X’s broader video ecosystem. Over the past two years, the platform has heavily invested in video capabilities. In 2022, X introduced the ability to scroll through short videos by tapping and swiping on video content within the timeline. Additionally, the launch of a stand-alone TV app showcased the platform’s ambition to cater to long-form video viewers, creators, and organizations.

With the introduction of the X Video Feed, the platform is bridging the gap between short-form and long-form video content, creating a comprehensive video experience for users. This diversification allows X to cater to a wider range of user preferences while encouraging creators to publish video content directly on the platform.

The Future of X Video Feed

The introduction of the X Video Feed signals a transformative shift for the platform, positioning it as a serious contender in the competitive world of short-form video content. By blending entertainment with monetization strategies, X is leveraging the growing demand for vertical video to engage users and attract advertisers.

As the feature expands to Android and continues its global rollout, X will likely refine its offering to better compete with established players like TikTok and Instagram. The combination of user engagement, ad revenue, and innovative video experiences makes the X Video Feed a key pillar in Elon Musk’s vision for the platform’s future.

Ultimately, the X Video Feed represents more than just a feature—it’s a strategic move to redefine the way users interact with video content on social media

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Social Tech

Meta is terminating workers at Reality Labs

by George Mensah 2025-04-26

Meta has confirmed another round of layoffs, this time targeting its Reality Labs division, though the exact number of affected employees remains undisclosed. This move comes as part of the company’s ongoing “Year of Efficiency” initiative that began in 2023, which has already seen Meta reduce its workforce by about 22% across multiple waves of cuts.

Areas Most Affected by the Cuts

The restructuring has particularly impacted:

Oculus Studios teams developing games for Quest VR headsets
Hardware development groups working on future VR/AR devices
Supernatural, Meta’s flagship VR fitness platform acquired for $400 million in 2021

A message posted to the official Supernatural Facebook group suggests these changes aim to “help us work more efficiently on what the future of fitness could be,” indicating possible strategic redirection rather than complete abandonment of the fitness vertical.

Behind Meta’s Reality Labs Restructuring

Mixed Signals in Meta’s VR Strategy

Meta spokesperson Tracy Clayton explained the changes reflect structural shifts meant to improve efficiency in developing “future mixed reality experiences.” This carefully worded statement suggests:

A continued commitment to VR/AR development
Potential reallocation of resources toward more promising projects
Possible deprioritization of certain existing VR content

The Broader Context of Meta’s VR Challenges

These layoffs occur against a backdrop of:

Disappointing Quest headset sales, with the Quest 3S already seeing price cuts
Strong performance of Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, exceeding expectations
Ongoing financial losses in Reality Labs, which reported $3.8 billion in operating losses in Q1 2024 alone

Analyzing the Implications

What This Means for the VR Industry

Content Development Slowdown: Fewer resources for Oculus Studios may mean fewer first-party VR titles
Strategic Reprioritization: Meta appears to be shifting focus from pure VR toward mixed reality
Hardware Uncertainty: Layoffs in hardware teams raise questions about future device roadmaps

The Supernatural Paradox

The treatment of Supernatural is particularly noteworthy:

Legal Victory: Meta successfully defended its acquisition against antitrust challenges
High Investment: The $400 million purchase was one of Meta’s largest VR content acquisitions
Current Downsizing: Despite this, the team is now facing cuts

Expert Perspectives on Meta’s Moves

Industry analysts suggest several interpretations:

Cost-Cutting Measure: Part of Zuckerberg’s efficiency drive amid massive Reality Labs losses
Strategic Pivot: Possibly reallocating resources toward AI integration in VR/AR
Market Realignment: Responding to slower-than-expected VR adoption rates

The Road Ahead for Meta’s Metaverse Vision

While these cuts might suggest wavering commitment, Meta maintains it’s still investing heavily in mixed reality. Key questions remain:

Will these efficiency moves accelerate profitability in Reality Labs?
How will content quality be affected by reduced development teams?
Does this signal a broader shift in Meta’s metaverse strategy?

One thing is clear: Meta continues to balance its ambitious long-term VR/AR goals with the financial realities of running a public company. These layoffs represent another adjustment in that delicate balancing act rather than a wholesale retreat from the metaverse vision.

Social Tech

On Instagram, the mothers are thrifting

by George Mensah 2025-04-12

Late one evening, my phone buzzes — it’s a notification from Instagram: “Clark’s Closet Connection’s countdown has ended.” Excited, I tap into the page, knowing that a fresh batch of coveted secondhand treasures is about to go live.

Within seconds, new posts start flooding the feed. Size 10 Mario-themed sneakers, adorable Moana-print Hanna Andersson pajamas, a vibrant 3T Boden skort — each item is claimed almost instantly. Shoppers, mainly busy moms, comment “me!” to reserve their finds, racing against one another in a first-come, first-served frenzy. Tonight, 36 items are posted; 24 are snatched up before the final listing even goes live.

The woman behind the operation is Ashley Hauri, a Kansas City-based entrepreneur who has turned reselling into a thriving, community-centered business. Once an active seller on platforms like Poshmark, Hauri is part of a growing wave of thrift store flippers shifting their efforts to more personal spaces like Instagram — even though the platform isn’t exactly optimized for online commerce.

“Instagram is one zillion percent not set up for selling,” Hauri admits. “But it’s about the community. I get to watch customers’ kids grow up. I’m connected to them beyond just a sale.”

Why Instagram? Building Relationships Over Transactions

While platforms like eBay, Depop, and Poshmark offer structured selling tools, Instagram allows resellers to build something deeper: genuine relationships. Buyers become more than just transactions — they become part of a tight-knit community. Sellers like Hauri can share life updates, celebrate milestones with their customers, and engage in real conversations.

This shift toward social-first selling reflects a broader trend where authentic connection is becoming just as valuable as the product itself.

The Rise of Resale Culture: More Than Just Saving Money

Although online reselling isn’t new — fashion entrepreneur Sophia Amoruso famously launched her brand Nasty Gal through eBay back in 2006 — the concept of “thrifting” has exploded in popularity over the past decade.

Today, buying secondhand is no longer viewed as a niche hobby; it’s a mainstream movement driven by millennials and Gen Z consumers who prioritize:

Sustainability: Secondhand shopping reduces the environmental impact of fast fashion.
Uniqueness: Vintage and one-of-a-kind finds offer a way to stand out from mass-produced styles.
Affordability: High-quality pieces at a fraction of retail prices are hard to resist.

The numbers speak for themselves: the resale industry is projected to grow nine times faster than the broader retail sector by 2027, according to market research.

Mobile-First Shopping: A Shift in Consumer Behavior

One of the most significant drivers behind this growth is convenience. Thanks to smartphones, millions of shoppers are browsing, buying, and even bidding on secondhand items through apps they already use daily. They no longer need to step inside a brick-and-mortar thrift store to score deals or support sustainable fashion.

Social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook Marketplace are becoming virtual thrift stores themselves — offering curated drops, direct communication with sellers, and a personalized shopping experience that traditional e-commerce struggles to match.

The Future of Reselling: Community Is Key

As the resale economy continues to expand, it’s clear that the next wave of successful sellers won’t just be those with the trendiest inventory. The winners will be those who can build trust, foster community, and create a human-first shopping experience — even in a digital world.

Ashley Hauri’s success story isn’t just about flipping thrift finds for profit. It’s a testament to the power of authentic connection in a marketplace increasingly driven by technology.

In an era where personalization, sustainability, and community matter more than ever, platforms like Instagram — despite their limitations — are proving to be fertile ground for the future of secondhand shopping.

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