Facebook is launching new features powered by Meta AI that allow users to animate profile pictures, edit Stories and Memories, and add animated backgrounds to text posts. The new features aim to make the platform more fun and expressive.
Animated profile pictures
Animated profile pictures are the main new feature. Users can turn a static photo into a playful animation in just a few seconds. Preset animations are available, including natural, party hat, confetti, wave, and heart. Meta plans to add more animation options throughout the year so users can celebrate seasonal moments and special events.
For the best results, Meta recommends using a photo that shows one person facing the camera with their face clearly visible and not holding any objects. Photos can be selected directly from the phone's photo gallery or from images already uploaded to Facebook. Once the photo is animated, it can be shared to the feed and displayed on the profile.
Restyle for Stories and Memories
The Restyle feature allows users to transform the aesthetic of images in Facebook Stories and Memories using preset style options or custom text-based AI prompts. Facebook will also recommend Memories with Restyle options directly in Stories.
After uploading a photo to Stories or when viewing Memories to share, users can tap Restyle and either use Meta AI to make custom edits or choose from categories such as Styles (anime or illustrated), Moods (vibrant), Lighting (ethereal), Colors (cool or pink), and Backdrops (beach or cityscape).
Animated backgrounds for text posts
Facebook is gradually rolling out the ability to add animated backgrounds to text posts in the feed, making them more fun and distinctive. When creating a new text post, users can tap the rainbow A icon and choose from several static and animated backgrounds, such as falling leaves or ocean waves. Meta plans to introduce seasonal backgrounds in the future to make posts feel timely and festive.
Efforts to attract a younger audience
Facebook still has more than 2 billion daily active users, but in recent years it has struggled to attract and retain a younger demographic. To address this, the platform has adopted new technologies, including AI, and introduced a more youthful redesign.
Other recent updates include a friends-only feed and the ability to use unique display names in groups, similar to how Reddit handles usernames in communities. The platform is also trying to revive its poke feature by launching a new dedicated button on user profiles that notifies recipients of pokes through notifications.
These new features aim to make it easier for users to express themselves in fun and unique ways, allowing them to create share-worthy content and connect with friends on Facebook.
Source: about.fb.com
