Instagram has released its first dedicated iPad app, addressing a longstanding gap in its product line nearly 15 years after the platform launched. For years, iPad users had to rely on the iPhone version stretched onto a larger screen or access Instagram through a web browser, both of which fell short of expectations.
The new release is designed to take advantage of the tablet’s display and introduces a more seamless experience for scrolling, messaging, and content discovery.
The app opens by default on the Reels tab, placing short-form video at the center of the iPad experience. Stories appear along the top, and a sidebar allows quick navigation between the feed, search, messages, and notifications.
Instagram has also added three viewing options for its main feed: All, Friends, and Latest, which users can reorder to their preference. These updates aim to provide more control over how content is consumed.
The launch reflects how Meta is fine-tuning its social products to keep users engaged at a time when competition for attention remains intense.
While Instagram’s parent company continues to push deeper into generative AI and advertising technology, offering a better user interface on iPad could strengthen engagement among creators and casual users alike.
The timing of Instagram’s expansion coincides with the closure of Dot, an AI companion app that gained attention earlier this year for positioning itself as a digital confidante.
Dot was developed by New Computer, a startup co-founded by Sam Whitmore and former Apple designer Jason Yuan. The company announced it will cease operations on October 5, giving users the option to download their personal data before the shutdown.
Dot marketed itself as an AI friend that could learn user preferences and provide support over time, describing the experience as a reflective “mirror” for personal growth. But the closure underscores the challenges of building a sustainable business around emotionally charged AI interactions.
Industry concerns have mounted over the risks of dependency and potential harm, particularly for vulnerable users. Reports of so-called “AI psychosis,” where chatbots reinforce delusional thinking, have drawn greater scrutiny from regulators and policymakers.
Although Dot said the decision to shut down stemmed from diverging visions between its founders rather than regulatory pressure, the company exits at a moment when AI companions are under heightened review.
App intelligence firm Appfigures estimates Dot had about 24,500 lifetime downloads on iOS, suggesting its user base was modest compared with larger players in the sector.
The contrast between Instagram’s long-awaited expansion and Dot’s abrupt wind-down reflects the divergent fortunes in the tech landscape.
Large incumbents like Meta can allocate resources to refine user experiences across platforms, while smaller startups in sensitive areas like AI companionship face sharper risks tied to regulation, public perception, and user trust.
The developments highlight two sides of the consumer technology market. On one side, established platforms like Instagram are expanding into long-requested features that may extend engagement and support advertising returns.
On the other, experimental AI services without a clear monetization model or safeguards face uncertain futures.
