OREANDA-NEWS. The long-awaited option of using augmented reality (AR) has appeared in the Viber messenger popular among Russians, Lenta.ru reports. Users will now be able to overlay their photos and videos with masks created using the technology used in the Snapchat application.

Rakuten Viber notes that such masks react to changes in human facial expressions, so the user can easily change facial expressions, conduct various experiments, and the mask will repeat his changes.

So far, dozens of AR masks with different effects are available in Viber. Among them are images of animals, beauty filters and augmented reality filters. In addition, masks with elements of national costumes were produced especially for the Russian segment. Hundreds of new filters are expected to be added to the list by the end of 2021.

To use AR filters and masks, you must click on the camera icon on the bottom panel in the open chat window. After that, users will be able to create a photo, video or gif with augmented reality effect.

“The advent of augmented reality masks was a logical step for us. This is a kind of example of the evolution of communication: first, Internet users communicated using emoticons, then stickers, emoji and the ability to create gifs appeared, and now - AR masks, ”Anna Migal, senior director of business development at Rakuten Viber in the CIS, commented on the innovation.

It is noted that partners of the messenger and various brands will be able to create their own masks. Globally, this has already been done by the WWF, the World Health Organization and FC Barcelona. This option will also become available to Russian companies.