Retail News CRM

Tag: AVATAR

  • Update to iOS version of WhatsApp adds multitasking feature already available on Android

    Update to iOS version of WhatsApp adds multitasking feature already available on Android

    Back in December of last year, we told you that WhatsApp was conducting a beta test involving a Picture-in-Picture (PiP) feature for video chats on iOS. Now, according to 9to5Google, we can tell you that version 23.3.77 of the iOS variant of the WhatsApp app is available, allowing users in the middle of conducting a video call to access another app without having to pause or disconnect the video call that is in progress.

    The PiP works like this. When you are engaging in a video call and want to multitask by opening another app, exiting WhatsApp will minimize the video chat and allow it to float above other apps. You can move it around the screen with your finger while the video chat continues and the other app you want to open is underneath it. The feature might not work right away and WhatsApp says it will disseminate it over the coming weeks.

    The update to version 23.3.77 also includes new features, including adding captions when sending documents to contacts in personal or group chats. You will also be able to use longer group subject names and descriptions when describing a WhatsApp group. Following the update, these names and descriptions can be as long as 2,048 characters which is a huge increase from the prior 512 characters allowed.

    Stable-mates Facebook and Instagram allow users to create personalized avatars and now WhatsApp users can do so as well. To create your own avatar, open the WhatsApp app and go to Settings > Avatar > Create Your Avatar. Follow the directions and tap on Done. That’s just the first step. To make your new Avatar the profile picture on WhatsApp, open the app and tap on your profile picture. Then tap on Edit > Edit.

    Again, this update is for iOS only since Android users already have Picture-in-Picture capabilities for video chat on WhatsApp. If you want version 23.3.77 of WhatsApp for iOS right away, you can install the version of WhatsApp from the App Store since it already includes the aforementioned features including PiP for video chat.

  • Facebook launches new Avatar feature for News Feed and Messenger

    Facebook launches new Avatar feature for News Feed and Messenger

    Facebook is desperately trying to keep up with the competition by launching alternatives to some of the nifty features that other social network giants offer to their users. Facebook Avatar is such a feature that wants to compete with Snapchat’s Bitmoji selfie stickers, so if you’re using the latter, you’ll find Facebook’s new feature quite familiar.

    There’s been a ton of work put into this from the product and design perspective to find out, with how many people on Facebook, how to make this as representative as possible. They’re a bit more realistic so they can be your personal avatar vs trying to make them cute, funny, and cartoony, said Facebook Avatars communication manager Jimmy Raimo.

    The new Avatar feature is now available in Australia and it’s usable in Messenger and News Feed comments. The rest of the world will get it in late 2019 or early 2020 on all compatible platforms.

    If you’re living in Australia, you should start seeing a smiley-face button in the News Feed comment composer and Messenger sticker chooser, which will allow you to create your Facebook Avatar. Although only users in Australia will be able to create these Avatars, users worldwide will see them without any issues.

    Although there’s no option to create an Avatar starting with a selfie or profile pic yet, Facebook says that it’s going to implement it if they manage to master the creation process. Another important thing confirmed by Facebook is that these avatars won’t be monetized, at least not at launch, so there won’t be any accessories or clothing options that you’ll be able to get for real money.

    Last but not least, Facebook might allow users to include Avatars as profile pictures or in Groups, but that’s more of a long term project rather than an immediate plan.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Fashion’s first virtual Instagram influencer

    Fashion’s first virtual Instagram influencer

    Miquela Sousa is an influencer like any other, except for one big difference – she’s a virtual avatar that exists only online.

    She rocks Supreme, Prada and Chanel, and attends exclusive events with other influencers. But she’s isn’t real in the traditional sense of the word.

    She is 19, half Brazilian, half Spanish and based in Los Angeles. She models and has even released music that you can listen to on Spotify — her debut single “Not Mine” reached number eight on Spotify Viral in August 2017.

    Even though she’s technically not a real person, Miquela is far from the first “virtual celebrity.”

    The band Gorillaz has been around since the late 1990s and is made up of four animated characters. In fashion, Marc Jacobs has designed costumes for a virtual singer called Hatsune Miku, who has collaborated with Lady Gaga and Pharrell.

    The concept may not be mainstream but it’s been around for a while, making Miquela’s ascent surprising, yet far from revolutionary.

    Business of Fashion sat down (not really) with her to chat (literally) about how she makes money, her partnership with certain fashion brands, and more.

    The hot picks of this virtual interview are the following :

    “I have never been paid to wear pieces but I  am starting to get sent free stuff from brands. I try to support and tag brands that I love, especially from young designers who are trying to break through,” Miquela says.

    Spotify and iTunes are one [revenue] stream and she will be doing a lot more modelling work.

    Some of the biggest agencies in the world have reached out. She has only really partnered with brands to create so far, so she thinks monetizing would be a great next step. “Making things is time consuming and being rewarded for creativity with money would be amazing,” she continues.

    Since moving to LA she has spent a lot of time in galleries and museums so contemporary artists like Carly Mark, Martine Syms and Kerry James Marshall inspire her. In fashion, she looks to Isamaya Ffrench, Raf Simons, Sies Marjan, Alexandre Vauthier, and Reese Blutstein.

    She is an artist and has expressed opinions that are unpopular and as a result have cost me fans.

    “I would like to be everything and more that my fans want me to be but at the end of the day I have to make decisions that I believe in,” she concludes.

    Lees ook: