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Zoom is getting this controversial Microsoft Teams feature

Zoom, a platform for online meetings, has released beta versions of its virtual avatars throughout the globe as part of its collection of filters.

Avatars, which Zoom announced on its blog, would enable users to “present [their] virtual self” and so make meetings “more flexible and exciting,” according to Zoom.

This “unique and enjoyable” addition follows on the heels of Microsoft Teams’ October 2022 Technical Access Program addition of identical, but better looking, avatars for users, which were inspired by Meta’s Horizon Workrooms workplace metaverse.

Why?

Zoom states in its blog post that the use of avatars helps employees look present and engaged, makes presentations “more lively,” and facilitates “fun activities” in the modern hybrid workplace.

Avatars may provide a happy medium for service users who would rather have their cameras turned off, but others who are less enthusiastic about “workplace fun” may have a harder time getting on board.

The leading vendors of collaboration tools seem to be preoccupied with finding methods to make meetings more tedious.

After Zoom unveiled its own peculiar face filters in March of the same year, TechRadar Pro revealed in December 2022 that Google Meet had approved three of them for public usage.

There may be more serious risks associated with video calling developments than just the need for more tacky filters. Zoom stated the app will be available on “all new Tesla vehicles shortly,” TechRadar Pro reported in November 2022.

Zoom has unveiled four new features, one of which is avatars. Like Teams Premium, it provides customised setup templates for meetings depending on size and context, such as big meetings and classrooms.

The administrator-enabled Q&A function, which was previously reserved for webinars, is now accessible for all meetings. Threaded chats, a mainstay of Slack (and now also Google Chat), are now available.