Google has introduced a new feature that turns a selfie into a customised cartoon character that resembles your likeness.
Dubbed a ‘Google Mini’, these cartoon avatars can be shared across a multitude of different services, including WhatsApp chats, Facebook and text messages, as well as anywhere else that supports Google’s keyboard app, Gboard.
The tool is available worldwide today for Gboard users on iOS and Android.
The stickers bear a striking resemblance to Snapchat’s Bitmoji characters, which can also be created via a selfie using the dedicated Bitmoji app.
Google has mimicked Snapchat features before, adding a tool called Reels to YouTube last year that shared many aspects with Snapchat Stories.
Google has introduced a new feature that uses a selfie to turn your face into a sticker. Once you’ve created a ‘Mini’, you can share it in WhatsApp chats, Facebook and text messages, and anywhere else that supports Google’s keyboard app Gboard
Google uses artificial intelligence to create Minis from photos of your face, and is able to create more than 100 different expressions and poses in total.
The tool combines machine learning, neural networks, and artist illustrations to build the best possible representation of you.
It takes into account factors such as your skin tone, hair colour and style, eye colour, face shape and facial hair to build each sticker.
To access the feature, select the new Mini button within Gboard and follow the instructions to take a selfie.
The app then takes a few seconds to build your sticker while it assigns skin tone, accessories and more to match your look.
The tool combines machine learning, neural networks and artist illustrations to build the best possible representation of you. It takes into account factors such as your skin tone, hair color and style, eye color, face shape and facial hair to build each sticker
Once complete, users can either choose to customise the AI’s creation or leave their Mini as it is.
They can then send it via Gboard across multiple apps on their phone.
To use the tool, download the latest version of Google Gboard from the Google Play or Apple App store.
The cartoon faces are reminiscent of Bitmoji, the customisable characters available in Snapchat as well as Gboard.
On Snapchat, users can build a unique Bitmoji by taking a selfie and using it as a reference point via Bitmoji Deluxe.
Google stirred controversy last year when it copied Snapchat Stories – one of the core features of the photo-sharing app.
To access the feature, select the new Mini button within Gboard and follow the instructions to take a selfie (left). The app then takes a few seconds to build your sticker (centre) while it assigns characteristics that match your look. You can then send it in chat apps (right)
The website unveiled a new video format in November called ‘Reels’ that lets users create 30 second videos.
The Reels feature is part of a wider effort by YouTube to expand its Community – an area of the site that is only accessible to creators with over 10,000 subscribers, who can share polls, pictures, texts and GIFs with viewers.
It follows similar attempts to copy Snapchat Stories by Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.
The stickers bear a striking resemblance to Snapchat’s Bitmoji characters, which can also be created via a selfie using its Bitmoji app