Apple’s latest operating system, iOS 17, has been launched worldwide with many new features and improvements. However, some users may be disappointed to find out that there are no new emoji characters in the update. But don’t worry, Apple has not forgotten about the emoji lovers. The company is planning to add some new emoji characters in a future version of iOS 17, which are expected to arrive in 2024.
What are the new emoji characters?
The new emoji characters are part of the Emoji 15.1 specification that was officially approved by the Unicode Consortium last week. The Unicode Consortium is the organization that sets the standards for emoji and other symbols across different platforms and devices.
The Emoji 15.1 specification includes six brand-new emoji concepts, four gender-neutral family combinations and updates to six people emoji that now have direction specifications such as facing right or facing left. Here are the new emoji characters that are coming soon:
- Phoenix: A mythical bird that is reborn from its own ashes. It symbolizes renewal, transformation and resilience.
- Lime: A green citrus fruit that is often used for flavoring drinks and dishes. It can also represent freshness, health and sourness.
- Brown mushroom: An edible fungus that grows in the wild or cultivated. It can be used for cooking, medicine or recreational purposes. It can also signify nature, magic and diversity.
- Shaking head vertically: A gesture that indicates agreement, affirmation or approval. It can also express enthusiasm, excitement or satisfaction.
- Shaking head horizontally: A gesture that indicates disagreement, negation or disapproval. It can also express disappointment, frustration or regret.
- Broken chain: A symbol of freedom, liberation or independence. It can also represent breaking away from something or someone that is holding you back.
When will the new emoji characters be available?
The new emoji characters will not be available immediately after the approval of the Emoji 15.1 specification. It takes some time for smartphone makers like Apple to design artwork for the emoji and add them to their operating systems.
Apple usually adds new emoji characters in a minor update of iOS after the major release. For example, last year, Apple added 21 new emoji characters in iOS 16.4, which was released in February 2023.
Therefore, we can expect to see the new emoji characters in a future version of iOS 17, probably in early 2024. However, Apple has not confirmed any official release date for the new emoji characters yet.
How to use the new emoji characters?
Once the new emoji characters are available on your device, you can use them just like any other emoji. You can access them from the emoji keyboard on your iPhone or iPad by tapping on the smiley face icon on the bottom left corner of the keyboard.
You can also search for the new emoji characters by typing their names or keywords in the search bar on the top of the emoji keyboard. For example, you can type “phoenix” or “bird” to find the phoenix emoji.
You can also use the new family combinations and directional people emoji to create more diverse and inclusive representations of yourself and others. You can choose from different skin tones and genders for each person in the family or group.
For example, you can create a family with two adults and two children of different skin tones and genders by tapping on the family icon on the bottom right corner of the emoji keyboard and selecting your preferred options.
You can also use the directional people emoji to show different actions or movements of people with different abilities or preferences. For example, you can show a person walking facing right or a person in a wheelchair facing left by tapping on the person icon on the bottom right corner of the emoji keyboard and selecting your preferred options.
Why are emoji characters important?
Emoji characters are more than just fun and colorful symbols that you can use to spice up your messages and social media posts. They are also a way of expressing yourself and communicating with others in a universal language that transcends words and boundaries.
Emoji characters can convey emotions, feelings, opinions, attitudes and intentions that may be hard to express with words alone. They can also add context, nuance and humor to your messages and make them more engaging and interactive.
Emoji characters can also reflect your identity, culture, personality and interests. They can help you create a personal brand and connect with like-minded people who share your passions and values.
Emoji characters can also promote diversity, inclusion and representation of different groups of people who may not have been adequately represented before. They can help you celebrate your uniqueness and respect others’ differences.
Emoji characters are constantly evolving and expanding to keep up with the changing world and society. They are a reflection of our times and trends, as well as our hopes and dreams.
