Google launches interactive 3D application

9th July 2008

Search engine Google has launched a new application in which users can interact with one another in a 3D virtual world.

Part of the firm's Google Labs, the Lively application enables users to express themselves by personalising a room and creating an animated character - or avatar - to represent them in the virtual world.

Users can customise their space with digital artwork and play YouTube videos from their virtual television sets. In addition, they can also upload music tracks from their personal computer to play in the virtual space, according to Information Week.

"Of course, you can chat with each other, and you can also interact through animated actions," wrote software engineer Niniane Wang, who describes the application as a 3D virtual experience, on the Official Google Blog.

"In our user research, we've been amazed at how much more poignant it is to receive an animated hug than seeing the text '[[hug]]'."