Meta takes on Snapchat: Zuckerberg’s firm launches Bitmoji-like cartoon avatars on Instagram, Facebook and Messenger as part of its ambition to transform into a ‘metaverse’
Meta is rolling out 3D avatars to Instagram, Facebook and Messenger
The avatars also include the option to add ‘assistive devices’ such as hearing aids
Users can also sync how their avatars appear across the multiple Meta platforms
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Meta is taking on Snapchat with the launch of Bitmoji-like cartoon avatars on Instagram, Facebook and Messenger as part of its ambition to transform into a ‘metaverse’.
Mark Zuckerberg’s firm has announced it’s rolling out 3D avatars to Instagram Stories, Instagram direct messages (DMs), Facebook and Messenger for users in the US, Canada and Mexico.
On Facebook and Facebook Messenger, these avatars were previously in 2D, but they’re now being converted to 3D, a Meta spokesperson told MailOnline.
It means Facebook users can show up as their three-dimensional virtual selves in Facebook profile pictures, comments, stickers, stories and more.
The new 3D avatars have more realistic expressions, faces and skin tones, and include the option to add ‘assistive devices’ such as hearing aids.
Meta’s avatars are similar to Bitmoji, the animated avatars that Snapchat users create to represent themselves, which were made available in 3D last summer.
Facebook (the company, not the product) renamed itself Meta in October, as part of its long-term project to turn its social media platform into a metaverse – a collective virtual shared space featuring avatars of real people.
In the future, the social media platform will be accessible within the metaverse using virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) headsets and smart glasses.
Mark Zuckerberg revealed the updates in a post on his Facebook page on Monday along with a short animation showing his own updated 3D avatar. Meta already overhauled avatars in VR to make them more expressive last year.
‘You can use your avatar across [VR headset] Quest, Facebook, Instagram and Messenger,’ Zuckerberg said. ‘One day you’ll have multiple avatars ranging from expressive to photorealistic. Looking forward to sharing more soon.’
The update adds ‘assistive devices’, including cochlear implants and over-the-ear hearing aids, to all Meta platforms, including VR.
Meta is also letting wheelchair users send stickers of their avatar on Facebook, in Messenger chats, and in DMs on Instagram.
Meta is starting to experiment with digital clothing too, including official NFL shirts that users can digitally wear for the Super Bowl on February 13.
Source: daily mail
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Meta takes on Snapchat: Zuckerberg’s firm launches Bitmoji-like cartoon avatars on Instagram, Facebook and Messenger as part of its ambition to transform into a ‘metaverse’