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Childish Gambino has demonstrated Google ’s latest feature in a fittingly strange and animated style.
Right in the middle of the Grammys, the rapper appeared in an ad that first appeared to show him dancing with a mirrored version of himself. But it quickly became clear that the two were slightly different – and then, shortly after, one of them revealed itself to be an animated, virtual version of the singer.
The ad was made to demonstrate Google’s new feature called Playmoji , which allows people to hang out with virtual versions of celebrities and other characters. The tool allows people to brighten up their photos or videos by adding a dancing singer or fighting superheroes in the background, for instance.
All of those characters are overlaid using Google augmented reality technology which means they fit smoothly into the area around them. The virtual characters will cast shadows and move around in the light, for instance, as if they were really in the video.
The video showed off the new Childish Gambino version of the Playmoji, which is able to dance to his real hits as well as allowing people to take selfies and videos that will see the character react to your own facial expressions. But there are many more waiting in the app, all relatively easy to add in.
Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guestsShow all 75 1 /75Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Jameela Jamil arrived to the red carpet in a red tulle dress and Brian Atwood shoes
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Janelle Monae wore a Jean Paul Gaultier dress and statement hat
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Future wore all black on the Grammys red carpet
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Du Yen opted for an unforgettable colourful outfit of pom poms
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests J Balvin kept it simple on the red carpet in a black top and black pants
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Mark Ronson wore Celine by Hedi Slimane
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Halle Bailey and Chloe Bailey arrived in black gowns with accent tops
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Cardi B wore a leopard-print outfit with matching wings for her performance at the Grammys
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Aida Cuevas wore a multi-coloured poncho on the red carpet
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Kendra Erika arrived in a flowing black gown
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Joelle James wore a hot pink gown as she posed with her Grammy
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Miley Cyrus chose a black Mugler pantsuit and accessorised with black and gold heels
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Miley Cyrus wore gold and black heels for the Grammys red carpet
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Kelsea Ballerini chose a nude Jenny Packham dress and Eva Fehren jewellry
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Miguel wore a white jacket and purple pants on the red carpet
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Jack Antonoff wore a double-breasted gray jacket
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Swae Lee of Rae Sremmurd wore a white and gray patterned shirt and pinstripe pants
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Brandi Carlile arrived in a long tuxedo jacket and bowtie for the 61st annual Grammys
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Toni Braxton chose a purple and gold gown for the Grammys
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Hennessy Carolina wore a statement orange outfit with billowing sleeves
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Natasha Lyonne wore a black sequin dress on the red carpet
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Charlie Puth chose a brown Prada suit with a red shirt and black shoes for the 61st Grammys
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Tracee Ellis Ross wore a lime green Ralph & Russo jacket and matching pants
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests HER donned sunglasses and a purple Coach pantsuit for the Grammys
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Andra Day chose a purple tutu
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Bonnie McKee arrived at the awards show in a strapless gown and red clutch
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Chaka Khan wore a gold and black dress with black boots
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Smokey Robinson wore a black and red tux alongside Frances Glandney
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Zedd arrived in a classic black tux complete with a bowtie
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Alex Rodriguez chose a purple and teal tuxedo jacket for the red carpet, alongside Jennifer Lopez
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests St Vincent donned a black and white gown by Giambattista Valli Couture with a long train
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Anna Kendrick arrived in a light pink Ralph & Russo dress with feather details, complete with silver Stuart Weitzman heels
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Katy Perry showed off the back details on her pink Balmain gown
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Margo Price wore a red Kimberly Parker Atelier gown on the red carpet
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Kylie Jenner followed the pink theme with a pink Balmain pantsuit and matching gloves
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Dua Lipa wore a silver floor-length Atelier Versace dress with a train and Bulgari jewels
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Ella Mai arrived on the Grammys red carpet in a billowing blue Ashi Studio gown
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Fantasia Barrino wore a statement white gown accented with a black sleeve
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Post Malone wore a pink jacket and matching pants
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Katy Perry chose a pink Balmain dress and purple eyeshadow
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Cardi B opted for a vintage Mugler statement outfit for the red carpet, complete with matching gloves
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Lady Gaga wore a Celine by Hedi Slimane metallic silver dress on the red carpet and accessorised with Tiffany & Co jewellry
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Jennifer Lopez wore a white Ralph & Russo gown with a statement hat and Jimmy Choo shoes
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Ashanti arrived in a ruffled gown of gold and black
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Young Thug stood out on the red carpet in a fluorescent green hoodie and red leather jacket
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Nina Dobrev chose a nude Christian Dioar gown with small ruffle detail, a black clutch, and Harry Winston jewels
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Heidi Klum wore a white Stephane Rolland dress on the red carpet with Lorraine Schwartz jewellry
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Jada Pinkett Smith attended the Grammys in a nude dress with a feathered train
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Bebe Rexha wore a red ruffled tulle gown by Monsoori
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Dolly Parton chose a red dress with a ruffled neckline
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Host Alicia Keys wore a red Armani Prive gown and completed the look with Bulgari jewellry
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests BTS matched in black tuxedos and bow-ties
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Kacey Musgraves wore a stunning Valentino nude gown inspired by her album cover
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Ashlee Simpson and Evan Ross attended the Grammys, with Simpson opting for a silver jumpsuit with feathers by Georges Chakra Couture
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Singer Alessia Cara arrived in a black gown with cut-out designs
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Camila Cabello attended the Grammys wearing a purple long-sleeved Armani Prive sequin gown
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Meghan Trainor wore a white custom Christian Siriano jumpsuit with silver sequin details
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Joy Villa arrived on the red carpet wearing a border wall-inspired gown with "Build the wall" written on the back
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Ricky Martin and his son made an appearance on the red carpet
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Questlove arrived on the red carpet wearing an all-black tuxedo
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Leon Bridges opted for a mustard-coloured outfit with his name emblazoned on the chest
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Saint Heart donned a butterfly-inspired gown
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Diplo arrived to the Grammys red carpet wearing a classic black suit and loafers
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Fatoumata Diawara wore a statement neckpiece on the red carpet
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Mimi Saballa arrived to the Grammys red carpet in a gold jumpsuit
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Tori Kelly wore a black Paule Ka gown and Hearts on Fire jewellry on the red carpet for the 61st Grammys
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Singer Ricky Rebel arrived to the red carpet wearing a "Make America Great Again" jacket
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Rashida Jones wore Ralph Lauren
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Tierra Whack wore a colourful feather floor-length jacket
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Kaskade wore YSL and Balmain
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Tia Fuller chose a silver gown for the red carpet of the Grammys
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Eve arrived to the 2019 Grammy awards in a black Ashi Studio pantsuit with matching train
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Lee Ann Womack chose a white and black dress embellished with a pink bow
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Raquel Sofia arrived on the red carpet for the 2019 Grammys in a blue gown
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Grammys 2019: The best-dressed guests Nicolle Galyon arrived on the red carpet ahead of the Grammys in a hot pink dress
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But even though the app is made by Google and available on Android, it will only work on the company’s own Pixel phones. Luckily every Pixel phone does get it, however, all the way up from the first version to the brand new Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL.
“We worked closely with Childish Gambino and his music video choreographer, Sherrie Silver, to make sure the Playmoji’s dance moves rival those of Childish Gambino himself,” Google said when the character was released.
“By using ARCore’s motion tracking, light estimation, and ability to understand the real world, his Playmoji looks and feels lifelike, whether he’s in front of you or in a selfie next to you.
“He even reacts to your facial expressions in real time thanks to machine learning – try smiling or frowning in selfie mode and see how he responds.”
The feature can be added to compatible phones by heading to the Google Play Store and downloading the Playgrounds app . Once that’s downloaded and installed, everything should be fairly self-explanatory.
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