NATIONWIDE -   If a picture is worth a thousand words, how about the emoji? The ever-popular emoticons are expanding to offer even more visual storytelling options.

In celebration of World Emoji Day, Apple and Google announced the release of new emoji designs expected this fall.

Apple’s 59 new designs, which will be available with their upcoming software updates for the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch, will cover a wide range of topics and themes:

  • An update to the ‘Holding Hands’ emoji to include more than 75 possible combinations of skin tones and genders holding hands

  • An expansion of disability-themed emoji, such as a guide dog, an ear with a hearing aid, wheelchairs, a prosthetic arm, and a prosthetic leg

  • A yawning smiley face

  • New outfits like a one-piece swimsuit, a sari, and a construction vest

  • More foods, including a waffle, a falafel, butter, and garlic

  • Additional animals, such as a sloth, a flamingo, an orangutan, and a skunk

  • Various other figures, like a banjo, a parachuter, a kite, and a yo-yo

Additionally, Google will release 71 versions of couples with different skin tones as well as a Diwali Diya lamp when the company releases its Android Q later this year.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, how about the emoji? The ever-popular emoticons are expanding to offer even more visual storytelling options.

In celebration of World Emoji Day, Apple and Google announced the release of new emoji designs expected this fall.

Apple’s 59 new designs, which will be available with their upcoming software updates for the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch, will cover a wide range of topics and themes:

  • An update to the ‘Holding Hands’ emoji to include more than 75 possible combinations of skin tones and genders holding hands

    APPLE EMOJIS FEATURING MORE DIVERSE COUPLES

  • An expansion of disability-themed emoji, such as a guide dog, an ear with a hearing aid, wheelchairs, a prosthetic arm, and a prosthetic leg

    APPLE EMOJIS FEATURING DISABILITY THEMES

    COURTESY APPLE

  • A yawning smiley face

    COURTESY APPLE

  • New outfits like a one-piece swimsuit, a sari, and a construction vest

  • More foods, including a waffle, a falafel, butter, and garlic

  • Additional animals

    APPLE ADDS NEW ANIMAL EMOJIS
     

    COURTESY APPLE

Additionally, Google will release 71 versions of couples with different skin tones as well as a Diwali Diya lamp when the company releases its Android Q later this year.

The theme across both companies new emoji? A heightened awareness of the diversity of their users.