Mail Ru : ICQ Launches Masks for Video Calls

22.09.2016

ICQ Launches Masks for Video Calls

The new ICQ release for iOS has a facial recognition and changing system. iPhone and iPad owners will be the first ICQ users to try interactive masks during their video calls, as well as share their new looks with friends. The new technology, integrated into ICQ, allows users to lay 2D and 3D masks over their faces in real time. Masks adapt to facial expressions and movements of the head. Key points on the eyes, cheeks, eyebrows, forehead and nose are used to detect movement.

'Face changing system is a step towards a new level of communication between users. This is another way to have fun with your friends, to shoot a funny video or enliven video calls. The technology opens up new opportunities of augmented reality,'says Igor Yermakov, Head of Instant Messaging at the Mail.Ru Group.

Today, users have 11 masks to choose from: for example, you can try on a beard, turn into a cat or a cyborg. А mask can be put on during a video call, or selected when taking pictures or shooting a video, which can then sent to any chat, shared to ICQ Stories or social media.

The new feature is powered by the innovative face recognition system LUNA, developed by the Russian company VisionLabs, a world leader in computer vision.

'We are pleased that the technologies of face recognition, which are now mostly used in the corporate sector, are beginning to find applications in mass products for users. Masks are a great opportunity for any person to try out augmented reality technologies, and to get new emotions from video chatting,' said Alexander Khanin, CEO of VisionLabs.

In addition to this, there is an editor available to ICQ users, allowing them to draw with their fingers, apply stickers, add geo-badges and text in various fonts to pictures and videos.

The new version is available on the App Store.

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