The iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite beta 2 updates are part of Apple's ongoing efforts to address diversity, and it's extending beyond organization and into software, with a much wider array of cultures and ethnicities for face and hand symbols.
Emoji have become popular because they're efficient, sometimes amusing, but mostly humanizing. They allow for the inclusion of emotion and feeling beyond what plain text can transmit. It's for that very reason that emoji need to be inclusive — so that people everywhere can see themselves reflected in their use.
The way it works is like this: The iOS 8.3 or Yosemite keyboards starts off with a "neutral" (i.e. classic yellow) emoji. Tap/click and hold and you get five alternate skin tone options. These are based on the Fitzpatrick scale for standard dermatological representation, as adopted by the Unicode Consortium.
In addition to the flags and skin tones, there's also greater gender diversity for families, new electronics, and more. No word yet on some of the more controversial elements of the new Unicode standard.
iOS 8.3 and OS X 10.10.3 are still in beta, so it's possible that the exact number, style, color, and character of the new emoji will change between this beta and its release — expected some time this spring.
It's great to see Apple using its popularity and power to push for more and better inclusivity. Hopefully it's just the beginning, and for all platforms.
3:30pm: Updated with implementation details and OS X 10.10.3 integration.
Apple shows us how to create stunning videos in its new iPhone video
Apple has shared a new Behind the Scenes video to YouTube, this time giving us a look at how easily some cinematic effects can be created using little more than an iPhone.
Apple's services are having another bad day with iCloud features affected
Multiple Apple services are suffering from an outage again.
Phil Schiller talks design, emotion, and more in new Lamborghini interviews
As Lamborghini celebrates its stunning Countach, the Italian car firm spent some time with Apple Fellow Phil Schiller — a big car enthusiast. The result is two videos in which Schiller talks about himself, Apple, and of course the Lamborghini Countach.
Touch on the Best Xbox Cloud Gaming (xCloud) games with touch controls
Wanna play some of the best games Xbox Game Pass has to offer but don't want to bother with any additional accessories? Not to worry, check out our picks for the best Xbox Cloud Gaming (xCloud) games with touch controls on iPhone and iPad.