Meta Avatars Can Now Be Used for Video Calls on Instagram and Messenger

JAKARTA - Instagram and Messenger users can now use their Meta avatar to answer and make video calls. This new feature will come in handy when they aren't camera ready.

In video calls, users will not only be shown a still image, but users and their interlocutors can talk to each other via avatars that move in their stead.

This new feature can be used on Android and iOS, "We've all been there: A call comes in but your hair looks messy. Sometimes, we're not ready with the camera," said Meta in his official blog, quoted on Wednesday, July 12.

"Wouldn't it be great if there was a third option between the camera off and the camera on so you feel a little more present on the call?" he added.

Apart from that, Meta also added the ability where users can share animated avatar stickers on Instagram and Facebook Stories, Reels, Facebook comments, message threads on Messenger.

Animated avatars include cheerful waving greetings or slow clapping to show the user's avatar dance moves, and other expressions.

Avatar stickers can now become social activities, where users can add multiple friends to Facebook Stories by tagging them, so that user avatars can come together and do things together in the metaverse with the avatars.

It doesn't stop there, social stickers of users and friends can also be shared in message threads 1:1 to make private jokes, relive shared moments, or simply enjoy a sense of togetherness, even when apart.

Others, Meta is also testing a new feature on Facebook and WhatsApp where users can take selfies directly to create avatars. After the selfie, the user will be presented with various avatar options and further personalize them to represent themselves.

That way, users don't have to bother creating or designing their avatar from scratch. Since this feature is still in testing, the company is still working on it for official release soon.