Meta has launched this Wednesday the personalized avatars in WhatsApp, which can now be sent and received in the form of ‘stickers’ -with a total of 36 models created from an avatar— both in group and individual chats, or use them as a profile picture.
Meta avatars are customizable virtual characters similar to the Bitmoji of Snapchat or the Memoji from Apple, and from now on, they can be used on all Meta platforms.
The company had been working on this format for WhatsApp for months and implementing its corresponding tests through the Android versions, available since October, and iOS, published a few days later.
As WhatsApp has indicated on its blog, users will be able to create their own personalized avatar using a wide variety of features that allow for the combination of “various hairstyles, facial features, and clothing.”
Once the avatar is configured, 36 ‘stickers’ of it will be generated, which reflect different emotions and actions (smiling, clapping, blowing a kiss, etc..). These can be sent to both individual and group chats.
The avatar can also be used as platform profile photo, since it simulates a digital version of the user. In addition, WhatsApp has stressed that it will continue to include style updates, such as lighting, shadows, hairstyle textures to improve the avatar.
In this way, the messaging service aims to provide the user with a “quick and fun” way to communicate with your friends and family, as well as a tool to convey feelings in another way. “They are also excellent for preserving your privacy, since they represent you without you having to include your photo,” WhatsApp has indicated.
This implementation of avatars is part of Meta’s interest in developing the metaverse. In addition, the company has been introducing advances such as the possibility of using avatars in three dimensions (3D) in some of its applications, such as Facebook.