Become an Animal with Zoom Avatars 

Zoom introduces responsive avatars that mimic a user’s expression 

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Become an Animal with Zoom Avatars 
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Published: March 22, 2022

Tom Wright

Managing Editor

Zoom has introduced an avatar feature that lets users swap their appearance for a virtual animal.  

The Avatars, which are available in Zoom Meetings and Zoom Webinars, will mimic a participant’s movement and facial expressions.

David Ball, Product Marketing Manager at Zoom, said: “Our teams at Zoom are always looking for ways to help you connect with others. 

“Avatars are an easy and entertaining way to engage with attendees and create a bit of fun.  

“They also provide a good middle ground for users who don’t want to appear on camera, but still want to express body language and facial expressions” 

Zoom said that the new feature can recognise the shape of a user’s face, as well as features such as their eyes, but does not use facial recognition. No data related to a user’s facial features is stored. 

Zoom also teased that it could expand the avatars beyond animals down the line. 

How and When to Use Avatars

Avatars are available across Windows, macOS and iOS devices, providing the user is running at least version 5.10.0 of the Zoom client or app. 

The feature can be enabled by navigating to either the Virtual Background or Video Filter options in video settings while in a Zoom meeting. Avatars can be used in conjunction with Virtual Backgrounds and Immersive View. 

Ball said that Avatars can be a middle ground for meeting participants that want to demonstrate emotions when in a meeting but don’t want to appear on video. 

He added that they can also create a more relaxed environment in team-building meetings or virtual paediatric appointments. 

The Avatars complement existing features designed to jazz up Zoom Meetings.  

Immersive View, for example, will drop meeting participants into a virtual meeting scene that shows everyone in the same tile. 

 Meanwhile, filters let users augment their appearance with accessories such as hats, goggles and eye patches. 

 

  

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