WhatsApp, the widely used messaging application, is embracing the power of animation with its latest offering – animated avatars. Leveraging the capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI) from its parent company Meta, WhatsApp has elevated its avatar creation process, enabling users to craft personalized animated avatars using a single image.
Elevating Conversations with Animated Avatars
The recently launched beta version 2.23.16.12 update on the Google Play Store introduces animated avatars, breathing new life into user profiles. This update, which is currently available to a select group of beta testers, adds an animated dimension to avatars, categorizing them by emotions such as happiness, amusement, frustration, and more. Reminiscent of Snapchat’s Bitmoji, these animated avatars infuse additional emotions into WhatsApp conversations through their expressive animations.
The Art of Creation: AI-Powered Personalization
Leveraging AI prowess from Meta, WhatsApp’s avatar creation process has been transformed. Now, crafting a personalized animated avatar requires just one image. When users select an animated avatar, it is transmitted as a sticker. The recipient then has the option to save this animated icon as a sticker in their favorites section.
Implementing Animated Avatars: How-To Guide
To utilize this innovative feature, users need to first set up an avatar on their WhatsApp profiles. This can be accomplished by navigating to Settings > Avatar > Create your Avatar. Once the personalized avatar is established, users with the latest beta version will notice an additional tab next to emojis, stickers, and GIFs. Through this tab, users can send animated avatars to their contacts.
Limited Availability for Now
Presently, the animated avatar feature is exclusively available to WhatsApp beta users who are operating version 12.23.16.12 or above. Additionally, this feature appears to be compatible solely with Android devices. WhatsApp is anticipated to introduce animated avatars to its stable version in the upcoming period.
Furthermore, it’s important to note that only the sender needs to be on the beta version to create and send animated avatars. Recipients, regardless of whether they are using older or stable WhatsApp versions, can still view and receive animated icons as stickers, irrespective of whether they are using Android or iPhone devices.
Looking Ahead: WhatsApp’s Evolution
In addition to animated avatars, WhatsApp is exploring other feature enhancements. Users can participate in the beta program through the Google Play Store or manually install the beta version via APK. Beyond avatars, WhatsApp is experimenting with a pre-group creation setting that enables users to establish group settings even before creating the group.
Moreover, WhatsApp is actively developing spam protection tools to identify and filter out spam calls, bolstering the existing capability to mute unidentified callers. As WhatsApp continues to evolve, these features contribute to an ever-improving messaging experience for its global user base.
