WhatsApp is joining the club along with Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram, as it adds Bitmoji-style avatars as a new feature. It has been expected since all the other apps under Meta have adopted this feature too.
As mentioned in The Verge, WhatsApp will start supporting customizable avatars in the latest beta on Android, 2.22.23.9, but limited to some users only.
WhatsApp Avatars
If WhatsApp users go to their Settings, a new category will appear called "Avatar," where they can create a digital version of themselves. Just like it does in the other social media platform, the app will generate a pack of stickers showing the avatar in several poses, emotions, and props. This way, users can express themselves through Bitmoji-like stickers.
WhatsApp has already planned to implement this addition earlier this year, according to Android Police. However, there are still no official announcements about when it will be released for all Android users, or when the feature will be added to iOS. If the feature is unavailable with your WhatsApp yet, you may try to update or install the WhatsApp beta to see if the change is already applied.
The created under Meta can be used on different platforms. If you sync your Instagram account to your Facebook account, you'll be able to use the same avatar on both profiles. It's possible that this will be done for WhatsApp as well, so you wouldn't have to build an avatar similar to what you already made.
Meta Avatars
The Bitmoji-like avatars were first introduced on Messenger and the Facebook Newsfeed back in 2019. Soon enough, they became available in Facebook comments as well as stories. In the early months of 2022, Meta has given the avatars a more 3D look, wherein Facebook users can add them to their Instagram stories, or use them as profile pictures.
The new avatar feature coming to several apps is Meta's way of easing people into the metaverse. As stated by Meta's GM of Avatars and Identity Distribution, Aigerim Shorman, offering the avatars across platforms is the first step to making their vision for the metaverse a reality.
She also added that they see the metaverse as an interconnected world, bridging AR and VR across mobile and computers. According to CNET, Vishal Shah, head of Metaverse, expressed that one of the company's strategies will be selling virtual items. These items would either be for virtual spaces or avatar accessories.
Creating a Virtual Self on Meta
You can create your avatar through the Facebook app. Tap your profile picture in the bottom right, and select Avatars. First, you'll pick your avatar's skin tone, then the customization will lead you to various avatar hairstyles, outfits, and more.
You can tap the mirror icon to see yourself in real-time, that way you can create an avatar by copying your facial features. Once you're finished, tap Done and Save Changes. This will immediately generate an avatar for you.
You can always go to the Avatars in Settings to edit yours by tapping Edit Avatar. If you want to delete it, then tap the trashcan icon, and then Delete. Just note that this is irreversible.
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