Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, is allegedly working on a standalone app for short-form videos, code-named "Project Ray", according to a report by The Information. The app is said to focus on improving recommendations for new and existing users in the U.S. and will feature more three-minute videos.

The news comes as Meta continues to expand its video offerings, having recently announced a video editing app called Edits, designed to compete with CapCut, a popular video editing tool owned by TikTok parent company ByteDance. The move is seen as an attempt to capitalize on TikTok and ByteDance's uncertain future in the U.S.

Currently, Instagram's feed is a mix of photos, videos (Reels), and Stories, which has led to user complaints about the app becoming cluttered. By spinning Reels out into a standalone app for short-form videos, Meta may be able to create an opportunity for Instagram to refocus on its core features and roots as a photo-sharing app.

It's worth noting that Instagram has been actively promoting its Reels feature, even going so far as to pay creators to post exclusively on the platform. Earlier this year, the company started paying creators to promote Instagram on other platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube. This aggressive push to promote Reels suggests that Meta sees significant value in the short-form video space.

The development of a standalone app for short-form videos also raises questions about Meta's strategy in the video space. Will the company continue to invest in Reels as a feature within Instagram, or will it shift its focus to the new standalone app? How will this impact Instagram's user experience and the company's overall video strategy?

Meta did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the report. As the company continues to evolve its video offerings, it will be important to watch how this new app develops and how it fits into Meta's broader strategy in the social media and video spaces.

The move also highlights the ongoing competition between social media giants, with each platform vying for users' attention and engagement. As the video space continues to grow in importance, it will be interesting to see how Meta's new app fits into the larger landscape and how it will impact the company's position in the market.