- A new update brings the full Scaniverse map to Android users of Niantic Scaniverse;
- Scaniverse is now available in Japanese and German for users in two of our highest-usage regions
What if you could explore and play across the world in 3D, no matter where you are? What if phones and headsets helped us connect more to the world?, rather than escaping it?
The foundational step of creating a playable world is gathering 3D imagery from all over. Since we launched a global map on Scaniverse for iOS in August, thousands of people in over 100 countries have scanned and posted public places they find interesting. These scenes, from Stonehenge to street art, are fun to look at now, and will become even more valuable as Niantic and developers around the world create experiences that interact with them. (We’ve got more to share on our vision for a playable world.)
Uploading your scans to the Scaniverse map is always optional and never automatic. When you do, you’re actively contributing to the Visual Positioning System (VPS) that helps build out a 3D map of the world. It’s global, community-powered map-making— each scan contribution helps turn real-world locations into tomorrow’s hyper-realistic immersive experiences.
Already, the Scaniverse community has built the world’s largest collection of 3D Gaussian splats—or simply, splats. That’s the technology at the heart of this photorealistic, playable 3D representation of the world. We think splats change everything when it comes to 3D graphics; check out this long-form piece for much more detail on their history, function, and future.
Today marks the next stage in the evolution of this platform, with the release of three distinct improvements that make this project more accessible and fun: a beta web app for Meta Quest to explore 3D photos around the world, expanding the Scaniverse map to Android, and adding Japanese and German language support on the iOS app.
Into the Scaniverse beta web app for Meta Quest
Into the Scaniverse is an immersive WebXR app for viewing 3D Gaussian splats, developed entirely in Niantic Studio and designed for Meta Quest, and available today in beta. For the first time, you can see user-generated splats from the Scaniverse map on the Meta Quest—including your own! You can learn more on how the team used Niantic Studio to build Into the Scaniverse on the Studio blog.
The start to finish process—scan on iOS, process, upload, view in Meta Quest—takes less than five minutes.
Into the Scaniverse renders on-device, so as you turn your head, it’s instantly responsive and truly feels like you’re there. Unlike a 360° photo, it’s more than a panorama—tilt your head and move your body to fully explore, not just look at, any scene. As with the mobile Scaniverse app, it’s completely free to use. It’s available in the browser now, with a native Meta Quest app expected soon.
Head to intothescaniverse.com in the Meta Quest browser, then fly in an airship across an illustrated globe to hop into tens of thousands of splats around the world in over 100 countries. Choose a crystal and you’ll drop into a scene. Or, if you’ve connected your account, simply choose one of your own splats (Account connection currently only for iOS).
This is just the beginning, and there’s more work to do. To achieve the required performance, we developed a series of splat optimization techniques. Visual fidelity is sharper with nearer and smaller objects, while the backgrounds are less detailed than what can be seen on a phone or in a browser. We’re sharing this early version of the app so we can start getting feedback from the community while we make the final optimizations for launching a native Meta Quest App.
An important component of that future is the platform that powers the web app. Niantic Studio is our free visual editor and web gaming engine that gives developers and creators the tools to build real-world WebXR experiences. Into the Scaniverse demonstrates several of Studio’s capabilities, including rapid prototyping, remote collaboration, and integration with cloud services and libraries. Studio’s web-based editor made it easy to iterate on designs and test globally, while the Simulator allowed the team to preview 3D splats and interactions as end users would experience them.
Scaniverse Map on Android
The most frequent request we get is to bring the Scaniverse map to Android. Done!With Scaniverse 4.0, Android has the same access to a global map of splats as iOS, including posting, exploring, and searching. The Discover Feed is now available for Android as well, teleporting you to beautiful places around the world with a swipe. Get it and use it for free.
We launched the first version of the Android app this May, so this is a big step toward feature parity with the iOS app. Learn more!
Japanese and German on iOS
Yōkoso, Willkommen! A majority of the contributions to the Scaniverse map come from countries whose primary language isn’t English, so we’re translating the app, starting with Japanese and German. It’s iOS only for now, and more languages are coming.
Kobe Port Tower by @tomo223
Brandenburg Gate by @gu1
Bonus: 3D Pho-ho-hotos
Looking for a way to get started with Scaniverse? Until December 24, people around the world are Scanning Spirits Bright, following daily prompts to create 3D scans based on seasonal themes. Some are directly related to the holidays, others are indirectly inspired. Browse what folks have contributed, or scan your own for a chance to win prizes. Completing daily prompts and sharing to the Community earns you entries for weekly sweepstakes drawing for holiday gift cards.
Darling Harbour, Sydney by @BlenderSushi
The winter holidays highlight feelings of warmth and community. Similarly, these updates are just the beginning of what’s possible when people from all corners of the globe capture and share the spaces they love in 3D. Imagine how amazing it will be when people around the world can play together
Whether you’re exploring breathtaking scenes on a Meta Quest headset, mapping your favorite local spots on Android, or joining the holiday fun, every scan brings us closer to creating a world that everyone can play in, from anywhere.
Grab the latest versions of Scaniverse for iOS and Android, and if you have a Meta Quest, check out the WebXR beta. Where will your curiosity take you?