Tech

Avatars are now on WhatsApp

A personalised avatar can serve as a profile photo or one of 36 custom stickers reflecting emotions and actions

Updated 3 years ago · Published on 07 Dec 2022 6:00PM

Avatars are now on WhatsApp
Meta says using an avatar instead of a real photo could be a form of privacy. – Pic courtesy of Meta, December 7, 2022

TODAY, Meta has brough avatars (any relation to upcoming movie are coincidental) to WhatsApp, allowing users to personalise even more their experience using the app. 

Avatars are a digital version of you that can be created from billions of combinations of diverse hair styles, facial features, and outfits. On WhatsApp you can now use your personalised avatar as your profile photo or choose from one of 36 custom stickers reflecting many different emotions and actions.

Sending an avatar is a fast and fun way to share feelings with friends and family. It can also be a way to represent yourself without using a real photo so it feels more private.

For many people this will be the first time creating an avatar, and WhatsApp (and parent company Meta) says they will continue to bring style enhancements including lighting, shading, hair style textures, and more that will make avatars even better over time.

The ability to customise an avatar's appearance with skin tone, hair, body type and outfits, among other things, should allow WhasApp users to represent the diversity of their identity.

“We're bringing avatars to WhatsApp! Now you can use your avatar as a sticker in chats. More styles coming soon across all our apps.” says Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta.

Avatars are rolling out to users everywhere today. – The Vibes, December 7, 2022

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