Original photo via 9 to 5 Mac.
In case you needed yet another method of using Snapchat to detract from its intended purpose, instantaneous realistic content, you can now send Bitmojis on the app. Now, not only can we entertain our friends throughout the day as dogs, bees, and pandas, but with personal cartoon characters designed to look just like you.
Snapchat announced this week that they have finally integrated the technology after March’s $100 million acquisition of Bitstrips, the startup behind Bitmoji.
If you’re new to Bitmoji, like myself, you probably noticed some of the physical limitations when choosing your avatar. I’m sure the subject will be seeing some heat on social (what isn’t these days?) after the acquisition. A few limitations I noticed are that all the hair options are short and single toned and it prompts women to quantify their chest size between small, medium, and large (please don’t check out my Bitmoji above).
The Snapchat-Bitmoji marriage is not the only union being announced this week. Miranda Kerr used Bitmoji to announce her engagement to Snapchat co-founder and CEO Evan Spiegal. The couple announced their engagement on Instagram yesterday. Clearly their timing was not just a coincidence. I would have gone with a more serious post rather than the complete antithesis, but hey who ever said you shouldn’t combine business and pleasure?
Photo via Miranda Kerr.
Create a Bitmoji account (if you don’t have one), then click the sticker icon where you will be promoted to link your Bitmoji account to Snapchat. Create your avatar following the on-screen instructions, and you will be ready to annoy your friends with cheesy pre-designed Bitmoji messages. For a more detailed explanation, watch the YouTube video here.
You can also use Friendmojis that incorporate your Bitmoji with a friend who has linked their account as well. These can be used in a response to a Snap to that single person as well. So your Bitmojis can hang out just like you and your #squad do IRL.
Brands such as Bergdoorf Goodman, Steve Madden, Joie, and now Ghostbusters have been sponsoring the fashion section of the original Bitmoji app since its release in 2015. We project even more partnerships with fashion, beauty, and entertainment brands. The issue some brands may run into is the possibility of having difficulty adapting their message to the medium, although they may want to. Brands must consider whether or not this trend is right for them and their voice before jumping on the bandwagon.
Check out this clever cartoon Snapchat made to introduce the feature:
