New Delhi, NFAPost: Meta has launched updated 3D Avatars to Facebook and Messenger in India. The new Avatars are more expressive, more customizable and more diverse.
To better reflect the billions of unique people on this planet, Meta is adding new facial shapes and assistive devices for people with disabilities.
Meta is rolling out updated 3D Avatars to Facebook and Messenger, and for the first time Instagram Stories and DMs.
Starting today people in India can show up as their virtual self across apps via stickers, feed posts, Facebook profile pictures, and more. This also marks the first time Avatars will be available on Instagram.
Meta India Director and Head Partnerships Manish Chopra said representations in the metaverse should reflect the diversity of the real world.
“Avatars are just the first step toward enabling everyone to express themselves in their unique ways. When you create your avatar you can choose the right facial features, body types, clothing styles, and more to create your virtual self. We offered more than one quintillion different combinations when we launched our updated avatars last year, and we’re continuing to add more options to give people even more ways to express themselves,” said Meta India Director and Head Partnerships Manish Chopra.
Last year Meta spent a significant amount of time and energy on improving its 3D avatars with new customization options that allow users to craft their own digital persona with an impressive amount of detail.
Today, the company announced new updates that promise to expand the platform even further. Today’s update adds Cochlear implants and over-the-ear hearing aids (for one or both ears) in a variety of colors, and on all platforms including VR.
Meta General Manager for Avatars and Identity Aigerim Shorman said being able to have the same avatar across the platforms is an early step towards making this a reality, and one working towards for a long time.
“We hope your new virtual self enables you to represent yourself online the way you want to be represented—whether that’s to friends and family, your local community, or beyond,” said Meta General Manager for Avatars and Identity Aigerim Shorman.
It also includes wheelchairs, which will appear in stickers on Facebook, in Messenger chats and in DMs on Instagram. Meta will continue to add more options over time based on feedback from the community.
Meta is also improving the look of Avatars. Subtle adjustments have been made to certain facial shapes and skin shaders to make avatars more authentic.
Throughout 2021, Meta added new eyes and noses, beards and hairstyles, outfits, body types and more. New items will continue to be added to the Avatar editor throughout 2022.