In a bid to give users more fun while doing video chats, Facebook has added new features including animated reactions, filters, masks and effects, and the ability to take screenshots -- available for one-on-one and group video chats.
Users’ can now share their emotions with a reaction, add a filter to feel like best self, make someone laugh with a bear mask, and even take pictures of their time together.
“Choose one of the five Messenger emoji icons to amplify your emotions and express love, laughter, surprise, sadness or anger. These reactions will animate onto the screen and then disappear, so you can express yourself in the moment,” Facebook said in a blog post.
Most reactions have different versions depending on whether your face is on or off the screen.
Tap the love reaction (like when you’re in a group video chat with your three best friends and someone shares amazing news) when the camera is facing you and tap it again when the camera is facing outward to see the difference.
Users’ can select from a variety of filters, ranging from subtle lighting tweaks to bold colour changes -- like black and white, red, or yellow. You can also live preview to test the filter on yourself before letting others see it.
Facebook has also added animated effects, like falling hearts and twinkling stars, to give your video chats expressive flair.
“Check out what happens when you wave your arm in front of the camera while using one of those effects. Unlike reactions, masks and effects stay on the screen for the duration of the video chat (or until you take them off or switch to another one,” the company added.
Another feature in the Messenger video chat is to easily capture and share your memories. Simply tap the camera icon to take a picture of your video chat to save it to your phone’s camera roll.
You can also send the picture to the person or group that you are video chatting with. So, throw on a love reaction, black and white filter, or flower crown mask and snap a pic with your friends and family.
