Updates include animated avatars, photo editing tools for Stories and Memories, and the ability to add animated wallpapers to text posts.
According to experts, in an effort to maintain Facebook's suitability for young users on its flagship application, Meta is betting that these new features will bring a more personalized experience, attracting the Z generation.
The new dynamic avatar feature applies motion effects to still photos, making the subject look like they are waving, creating heart shapes or wearing virtual birthday hats. For best results, Facebook advises users to use clear photos of a person looking straight at the camera. Photos can be taken directly from the user's photo library or from existing images on the platform. The company also plans to add more animated photo options throughout this year.
Facebook is also upgrading the Stories feature - short posts with photos and videos that disappear after 24 hours - and Memories - a feature that displays posts from the same day in previous years - with the "Restyle" tool, using Meta AI to change the appearance of images uploaded by users.
After uploading photos to Stories or selecting a Memory to share, users can tap Restyle and enter a text reminder or choose from available themes. There are also options to adjust mood, light and color, as well as change to new backgrounds such as beaches or city scenes.
To make text posts more lively, Facebook is also gradually deploying dynamic wallpapers. By clicking on the new rainbow "A" icon, users can choose from many different static and dynamic scenes, such as fallen leaves or sea waves, to make their posts more prominent on the news feed. The company said seasonal wallpapers will be added soon.
With about 2.1 billion active users daily, Facebook is still the world's leading social network. However, in recent years, Facebook has had difficulty attracting and retaining young users.
To solve this problem, the platform has applied new technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), and introduced a younger redesign.
