Zoom's new avatars let you hold meetings as a cute animal

Aiming to make "magical and spontaneous moments" special, Zoom is trying to make virtual meetings more fun with avatars. The new feature will allow users to become their favourite animal which will mirror their movements and facial expressions on screen.

The official Zoom blog explained that its new avatar feature helped to engage and entertain attendees during meetings, especially those who dont want to turn their camera on. The avatart mimics users' expressions and head movements. Facial image are not stored on the device or Zoom while using this filter, neither are they used for facial recognition. The avatars cannot distinguish between different individual faces.

The new feature is available on Windows and macOS desktop devices and iOS mobile devices. Your Zoom app needs to be updated to a version of 5.10.0 or higher, and the feature needs to be enabled by the meeting host as well. You can choose your avatar by first enabling your camera, opening meeting toolbar to select 'Stop Video’ option. In the menu you can then choose 'Choose Virtual Background' or 'Choose Video Filter' option. Navigate then to the avatars section and select your avatar for the meeting.

Zoom suggests using avatars for hybrid work, creating an atomosphre for learning in class like Storytime, and creating memorable moments.