Facebook Messenger Gets Snapchat-Like 'World Effects' AR Stickers

Facebook is rolling out a new feature for Messenger that lets you drop 3D objects into your surroundings, using the built-in camera tool, making it yet another popular app to incorporate AR features - apart from Snapchat. Called World Effects, this feature can be activated using the native camera app on Messenger. Alongside, Facebook is also introducing several other holiday-themed features.

World Effects has been launched just in time for the holiday season - in the US. "World Effects technology enables you to drop 3D objects into your surroundings. For example, add a 3D heart floating over someone's head and then try panning your phone's camera from side to side. Or use an arrow to point to an exact object or location in a panorama so your friend knows what you're referring to. Or better yet, add a new fun, celebratory robot to an otherwise every-day setting and spice things up a bit," said a post on the official Facebook page of Facebook Messenger.

Messenger has multiple stickers including a heart, robot, arrow, and you can also put up word bubbles like "love," "bae," "heart" and "miss you" on the live camera feed. To add a World Effect, open the Messenger Camera (from your inbox or from inside an existing conversation by tapping the camera icon), and then scroll to choose from the camera effects. Pick an effect and then tap to add it to your image.

Google recently launched similar AR stickers exclusive to its Pixel and Pixel 2 smartphones. The update, rolling out to Android 8.1 Oreo users, offers a new experience for users letting them express themselves with virtual characters and emojis that come to life.

Separately, Facebook has begun rolling out features like customisable holiday cards, Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanza-themed stickers and Live effects, as well as effects for Live broadcasts, and holiday photo montages, The Next Web reports.