Have you ever had to ignore a WhatsApp video call from a family member or friend simply because you weren’t camera-ready? It happens! Some people, perhaps due to shyness or not feeling their best at the moment, prefer to hide their faces during Zoom calls. This is especially true for ladies who may not have styled their hair or applied makeup before they tap the “green button.”
Now, Meta offers a solution to this predicament! The company has introduced a new feature that allows you to participate in video calls on Messenger and Instagram using your virtual Meta avatar. This innovative feature creates an animated video call experience where you and your friends can see and hear each other, without revealing your actual faces.
So, if you’re someone who prefers not to show their face during certain video calls, Meta’s new concept of real-time calls using your avatar could be a helpful solution.
However, I find it to be an incomplete solution because your face remains hidden anyway. It could simply be a voice call, and it feels strange to me to watch a cartoon avatar on the screen while hearing a human voice in the background. Although Meta claims that the avatars also mimic your facial expressions and mouth movements, making it easier to understand what someone is saying while chatting as an avatar.
Following The Verge‘s illustration, Meta’s concept only represents an expansion of its avatar system, which the company has been slowly developing as an integral part of its metaverse vision. You can simply call it an introduction of additional avatar options not necessarily a new feature that helps you get comfortable staying on a video call, though unprepared. Meta anticipates that this idea will facilitate a new wave of engagement by establishing stronger connections between users and their virtual representations, a Social Media Today‘s report notes.
Alongside the expansion of avatar options, the company is introducing animated avatar stickers, allowing users to express themselves through gestures like a thumbs-up or rolling on the floor laughing. These animated stickers will be compatible with various platforms such as Instagram and Facebook Stories and Reels, Facebook comments, as well as 1:1 message threads on Messenger and Instagram, as stated in Meta’s official blog post.
Furthermore, Meta aims to standardise the appearance of avatars across virtual reality (VR) and its suite of applications. By doing so, Meta aims to eliminate the uncanny resemblance to a “cake pop” and enhance realism. This standardised look not only offers users a more lifelike representation but also provides an opportunity for individuals to showcase their unique style. Meta envisions this as a way to entice users to explore and invest in virtual clothing options available in the company’s avatar store.
