Apple focuses on gender diversity, family, and gun violence with new iOS 10 emoji
If you hate emoji, I am sorry to tell you that they do not seem to be a fad. In other words, the little pictures are here to stay. Just accept it, y'all -- emoji are fun!
Today, Apple announces that over 100 emoji are being added to the upcoming iOS 10 operating system. The company is putting a lot of thought and care in these new characters, you see, as it is focusing on diversity in both families and gender, plus the latest epidemic of gun violence.
"More than one hundred new and redesigned emoji characters will be available to iPhone and iPad users this fall with iOS 10. This exciting update brings more gender options to existing characters, including new female athletes and professionals, adds beautiful redesigns of popular emoji, a new rainbow flag and more family options", says Apple.
The most controversial aspect of the emoji update for iOS 10 is changing the real-looking pistol to a water pistol instead. Apple previously protested the addition of a rifle emoji, so this shouldn't come as a surprise. Some second amendment advocates may see this as an attack, but lets be honest -- there is no need for violence with emoji -- especially with all of the shootings in the news lately.
ALSO READ: Unicode Standard 9.0 is official with 72 new emoji like shrug, avocado, gorilla, and more!
Apple deserves major kudos for its focus on diversity, however, such as the addition of a rainbow flag. The new emoji also show an increase in women doing what have stereotypically considered to be men's jobs, such as a construction worker. iOS 10 users will even get emoji for single-parent households -- both a single mom and a single dad.
What do you think of Apple's newest emoji for the upcoming iOS 10? Tell me in the comments.