Meta is looking to familiarize the masses with the use of self-depictive, animated 3D avatars, debuting the feature on Instagram.
Meta is now introducing the ability to create and use avatars in Instagram Stories and in DMs. In addition, it is also updating the 3D avatars already present on Facebook and Messenger.
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The new avatars offer added personalization options like new facial shapes. In addition, as avatar figures become increasingly familiar to the multiple millions of daily users of Meta-owned platforms, the company is adding new assistive device options like cochlear implants, hearing aids, and wheelchairs – all of which will contribute to normalizing the inclusion of users with disabilities.
In the US, Canada, and Mexico, users can take up their avatar persona within stickers, feed posts, Facebook profile pictures, and on Meta Quest VR.
“Since revealing our long-term vision of the metaverse at Connect 2021, we’ve continued building out this next evolution of social technology, building towards a future where you can sit in the same room as loved ones who are actually thousands of miles away or work naturally with a talented team that spans the globe,” Aigerim Shorman, General Manager for Avatars and Identity explains.
“Being able to have the same avatar across our platforms is an early step toward making this a reality, and one we’ve been working toward for a long time. We hope your new virtual self enables you to represent yourself online the way you want to be represented.”