New Metaverse Ambition, Meta Brings 3D Avatars To Instagram

JAKARTA - Meta has just announced bringing 3D avatars to Instagram and updated avatars to Facebook and Messenger. Although it is still in the trial stage, users in several countries can try it.

The company is also adding cochlear implants and hearing aids in multiple colors across all platforms, including VR. The update also brings wheelchair-shaped stickers to Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram Stories and DMs.

In addition, Meta also enhances the appearance of the avatar by adjusting certain face shapes to make it look more authentic. The company says it plans to continue adding more items to the avatar editor.

Users in the United States (US), Canada, and Mexico can now appear as their virtual selves on stickers, feeds, Facebook profile pictures, and more.

"We updated the Meta avatar with more expressions, faces and skin tones, as well as wheelchairs and hearing aids," said Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg in a statement posted on his Facebook.

“We also started experimenting with digital clothing. You can use your avatar across Quest, Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger. One day you will have many avatars ranging from expressive to photorealistic. Looking forward to sharing more soon."

Please note, any changes users make to their avatars on Facebook and Messenger will automatically appear on Instagram as well, and vice versa.

Users still have the option to create different avatars for different platforms. Meta states that over time, the goal will be to make it easier for users to move their avatar from place to place and plan to develop more in the future.

Citing TechCrunch, Tuesday, February 1, bringing only a new avatar, Meta is also partnering with the NFL to give fans a way to support their favorite team ahead of the Super Bowl. From now until February 28, users can choose to support the Cincinnati Bengals or Los Angeles Rams via their avatar. There's also a neutral LVI Super Bowl shirt for users who don't want to pick a team.

“VR and Quest are important parts of our metaverse vision, but we see the metaverse as an interconnected digital world that bridges VR and AR, in addition to more familiar platforms like your phone and computer,” explains Meta's General Manager for avatars and identities, Aigerim Shorman.

“Launching avatars across our platforms is the first step towards making that happen. We hope that your new virtual self will allow you to be represented online as you wish."

For your information, Meta first launched its avatar in 2020 as a way to compete with Bitmoji Snap and has been updating it ever since. This new change comes as Meta launched new avatar options for eyes, nose, beard, and hairstyles last year with the aim of making them more customizable and diverse.