WhatsApp recently announced the launch of personalized 3D avatars for its users. Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, announced the feature in a Facebook post where he said they were working on many more styles for the avatar across their apps. Meta has also promised its users more styles with respect to lighting, and hairstyles soon.
Meta had announced earlier this year in May about introducing 3D avatars which users could use as their profile pictures or for feeds. The feature is already available across Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger and would represent a 3D version of an individual, which can be created using different combinations of outfits, hairstyles, and facial expressions. Further, the company also has plans on developing the avatar to add legs to it which they intend to launch by next year. Further, users can select any of the 36 customized stickers to show various emotions. It is similar to the Snapchat Bitmoji and Apple Memoji stickers.
The feature has been launched after months of beta testing with iOS and android users that was first reported in June by WEBetaInfo – WhatsApp’s beta tracker. Meta will officially release the feature in a few weeks. Once released, the public can use the avatars to upload their profile picture or even send stickers featuring different emotions. Additionally, Meta also spoke about its desire to keep adding more advanced features to make it more fun and convenient for users.
To use the new 3D feature, you need to:
- Make sure you finish any pending updates on WhatsApp and install them
- Open WhatsApp and go to the settings
- Click on avatar
- Go to ‘Create your Avatar’
- Customize your avatar
One can use this feature only within WhatsApp, and users cannot make use of 3D avatars created on Facebook or Instagram. You will have to create the avatar within the app.
In 2019, when Meta introduced 3D avatars on Instagram and Facebook, it was only limited to a few countries like Europe, New Zealand, Australia, and Canada. A year later, it was expanded to the USA. However, Mark said that the company would try its best to ensure that the new WhatsApp avatar gets launched in most countries and that they were working on it. Earlier this year, Meta also launched an avatar store where users could dress up their 3D avatar with outfits from luxury brands like Prada.
Meta said the feature is a new and fast way to share feelings with your close ones. It would also help one represent themselves without worrying about posting their real picture online. Since people easily recognize users from a picture, this new feature will make it less likely for anyone to recognize you that easily. This helps people maintain privacy and anonymity online. The main intention behind this is to represent the company’s belief to let individuals be their authentic selves online so that they can connect and express themselves better to anyone they meet online.
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