WWDC 2018: Apple introduces new Memoji feature that allows users to create virtual versions of themselves

You can customise everything from skin tone to hair colour and lip shape

Apple has announced the launch of a new custom Animoji feature named Memoji.

At its annual Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) in San Jose, California, Apple unveiled iOS12 – the next major software update for the iPhone.

As well as new apps and features for Apple Watch, iPad and Mac, the company revealed a new update to its Animoji feature which allows iPhone X users to deliver recorded messages in a fun way.

Since the initial launch, users have been limited to Animoji character options like cats, pigs and chickens but with iOS12 that’s all about to change.

The first big modification to how Animojis look and operate, Apple unveiled brand new augmented reality emojis which can be customised to look just like you.

“We wanted to take Animoji even further,” Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of Software Engineering, said on stage at WWDC.

“You can now create your very own, personalised Animoji.”

The new Memoji feature allows users to build virtual versions of themselves from the ground up (Apple)

Named Memoji, the feature allows users to build virtual versions of themselves from the ground up with a range of customisable options including skin tone – which can be further modified with a colour slide once you’ve made your choice – hair colour, lip shape, freckles and accessories like glasses and earrings.

Apple has also upgraded its AR technology so that the Memoji is responsive to even more facial expressions using the iPhone X’s True Depth camera module, including winks and tongue movement.

Now, the face-tracking feature means that when you raise your eyebrows, wink or poke out your tongue, so will the Memoji.

The original Animoji are also getting an update. Joining the existing options – which currently include an alien, cat, monkey and a unicorn – are a ghost, koala, tiger and T. Rex.

Apple debuted several other new tools with the iOS12 upgrade too including new Group FaceTime which means you will be able to talk to up to 32 people at once.

It’s also trying to make Siri a better personal assistant with a new function called Siri Shortcuts, which will allow you to set up shortcuts that are accessible straight from your lock screen.