Meta’s newest update to WhatsApp brings users animated versions of themselves, similar to Apple’s Memojis.
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Meta adds avatars on WhatsApp
Meta’s latest addition to its messaging application WhatsApp, after Channels, is animated avatar stickers. Now you can add moving, reacting versions of your digital self into your WhatsApp chats, providing another way to use your avatar within Meta’s apps.
This marks the latest in Meta’s broader avatar push, which has also seen it add avatar profile pictures, simulated profile backgrounds, avatars in video calls, and more.
just when you thought you couldn’t have more fun in a chat we added Avatar Animated Stickers like these ⬇️ to drop in all your chats. pic.twitter.com/R51aTZ88D8
— WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) September 20, 2023
Back in July, Meta added animated avatar stickers for Instagram and Facebook stories, videos, and message threads in the applications. If you haven’t already, you can create your own avatar to use as stickers or even during video calls. On Instagram, your avatar is shown on your profile when your profile picture flips to reveal the avatar for a split second.
This way Meta can expand the metaverse access beyond VR alone, with users now able to engage in VR spaces as their virtual characters via their mobile device or PC.
As stated by Meta: “We’ve all been there: A call comes in but your hair looks like a hot mess. Or you’ve just been bawling your eyes out while re-watching ’From Scratch’ for the umpteenth time (no judgment). Sometimes, we’re just not camera-ready. Wouldn’t it be great if there were a third option between camera-off and camera-on to let you feel a little more present on the call?”
WhatsApp has now started testing out animated avatar stickers in selected regions, with this new expansion providing more animated options. More information is yet to be released.
Will you be using the new avatar stickers?
Vote now and tell us if you think these avatar stickers are cool. Do you think it’s leading to the larger metaverse promised to us by Meta?
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