You can make it look like you're on a Zoom call in the office, even when you're sipping margaritas in a faraway hammock. The proposition, courtesy of a months-old startup called Pickle, is simple. Simply submit a 5-minute training video of yourself to create an avatar and have it ready within 24 hours. Want to call a colleague from your car? No problem. Tired of getting out of bed? no problem. At a beach club? You're probably pushing it, but judging by the demo video, it's also ideal if no one on the call is paying “you” their undivided attention. (The service currently has basic, standard, and pro versions, ranging in price from about $300 to $1,150 per year.)
The technology, backed by LA startup Krew Capital, currently only works on MacOS, but Pickle said a Windows version will be available next month. Meeting apps users can choose from include Zoom, Google Meet, and Teams, Pickle said, adding on the site, “Due to high demand, cloning is currently delayed.”