Microsoft Puppets: SwiftKey gets Animoji-like virtual characters

Many users might be happy with the default virtual keyboard that comes with Google Android, but most of them probably never tried SwiftKey. Now, there is one more reason to take this free piece of code for a spin: an AR emoji feature simply called "Puppets" that has just been added to the latest Beta release of this app.

Android users who want to try this feature can choose between turning into a dinosaur, a panda, a cat, an owl, or a dog. Once recorded, the video can be used virtually anywhere and is not limited to a specific messaging app or platform.

The catch with SwiftKey's Puppets is that instead of using the depth sensor that lacks in many mid-range and low-end devices, this piece of code takes advantage of the front-facing RGB camera that virtually all Android handsets have. This way, Microsoft managed to increase the number of devices that would support this feature by a significant degree.

SwiftKey Beta users on Android Nougat and later can take Puppets for a spin, but "more recent and powerful smartphones" can provide the best experience, reveals Microsoft. Are you one of those who uses animated emojis on a regular basis or one of those who consider them useless? Have you ever tried SwiftKey? Using another virtual keyboard, maybe? Feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments section.