Pete over at Mashable notes that WeeWorld just launched WeeMee avatars, and announced a partnership with AOL. 10 million WeeMees have been created in more than 39 countries, allowing users to post a personalized avatar on blogs, social networks, e-mail signatures, instant messengers and cellphones.
Yahoo IM has been the reigning king of IM avatars for quite some time and it was about time for AOL to step (catch) up. WeeMee avatars are cute and kids will love them. I’m not so sure about adults.
WeeMee and Yahoo avatars can be similarly configured. WeeMe appears to offer less options for certain features.
Yahoo has branded clothing, audibles and ties to popular bands. I’ve always wondered why they don’t do more with this. You can use your Yahoo avatar at Yahoo 360 and your main profile, although I don’t see people using them in email or on blogs much.
If you like checking out avatars, take a look at the newly-launched Cyworld minime avatars.
WeeMe:
Cyworld:
Yahoo:
Flash-based avatars are an intermediate step between static dating/social/blog profiles and full-blown immersive environments. Me? I’m in SecondLife, looking at property, thinking about building a grotto and teaching my avatar to do backflips. The learning curve is steep but we’re all going to be dating and socializing in SecondLife in a few years anyway. Might as well get their early and get comfortable.
Technorati Tags: avatars, instant messaging
