In its first venture into consumer software, Intel launched a messaging app called Pocket Avatars this Thursday. The app is available in Google and Apple's app stores for Canada and US.

There are a myriad of messaging apps available on the Internet, so what makes Pocket Avatars stand out from the rest? Apparently, the app allows its users to convert their faces into avatars like a blowfish, or the Statue of Liberty.

Like Us on Facebook

The app, Intel asserted, will enable the company to show people that it is more than a chipmaker. The app will also serve to showcase the facial-tracking code used to power the app. The code was designed at Intel Labs, by the company's R&D group.

"People just don't know how much software we actually do that's in the devices you carry that are based on Intel chips," Mike Bell, the general manager of Intel's New Devices Group, said at a launch event. "So we thought this was a great way to say, 'Hey, look at the cool stuff we actually do.' "

Intel said it has high hopes for its new avatar app, and that it wishes to create a wave in the app world. It is worth noting here that there are some really powerful and established messaging apps which Pocket Avatars will have to tackle with. These include WhatsApp, Snapchat, Skype, etc. 

TagsPocket Avatars, Intel