What’s new in the emoji world? A lime, mushroom, phoenix, and more

Unicode

Do you know what a lime, a mushroom, a phoenix, nodding heads, and a broken chain have in common? They are some of the new emojis that Unicode, the global messaging standard, has approved. The 15.1 update will bring 118 new emojis, many of them variations of existing ones with different skin tones or orientations. Some of the new emojis are more inclusive and diverse, including people walking, running, kneeling, using wheelchairs or white canes in different directions; and four new gender-neutral family units.

But don’t get too excited yet. The new emojis are not available on your keyboard right now. They were approved on Sept. 12, but they will take some time to be released. Emojipedia predicts that they could be ready by late 2023 or early 2024. And they might look slightly different depending on your smartphone brand.

Source | Via

Apple iOS 14.5 has more gender-inclusive emojis

New iOS updates mean more emojis. This time, the 217 new emojis coming will include more gender-inclusive symbols. There will be options for both women and men emojis to sport beards. The update will also let you choose the skin tone for the couples' emoji.

There are three new smiley options, including the Exhaling Face, Face With Spiral Eyes, and Face in Clouds. For those who want to let others know they got vaccinated for COVID-19, Apple updated the Syringe emoji to take out the blood. There's also a new Heart on Fire and Mending Heart emoji, which sports a bandage on it. 

And for branding purposes, Apple updated the Headphone emoji to make it look like its new AirPod Max headphones.

Source: Emojipedia

iOS 12.1 rolling out today with Group FaceTime, Depth Control as well as Dual-SIM functionality

Apple plans to roll out iOS 12.1 which brings various new features such as Group FaceTime calling for up to 32 people at a time, Dual-SIM capability using a nano SIM with the latest iPhone XS and iPhone XR phones as well as over 70 new emoji and depth control preview for camera app. 

With iOS 12.1, FaceTime is more fun and flexible, with simple ways to add another person, join an active FaceTime call, or use the same camera effects available in Messages to add stickers, filters or appear to friends and family as an Animoji or Memoji. When an invitation is received, people can choose to join using audio or video from iPhone, iPad and Mac. Hit jump for a rundown of new features. 

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iOS 12.1 update to bring more than 70 new emoji

Seeing how emoji have become a norm in communication today, Apple is adding up to 70 new emoji for iPhone users on iOS 12.1.

More than 70 new emoji will be coming soon to iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Mac, including new characters with red hair, gray hair and curly hair, a new emoji for bald people, more emotive smiley faces and additional emoji representing animals, sports and food. The new emoji are available in today’s developer and public beta previews of iOS 12.1, and will be available in upcoming software updates for iOS, macOS and watchOS. 

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