Friday, July 17 is World Emoji Day. If that is Really one thing. Laughter aside, we have some interesting emoji related news to share. Google Gboard is getting a new quick access emoji bar. It is currently in beta, but it will be released to all Android users soon. The new feature will allow you to quickly add ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ to try to ruin a person’s day. Or release 🍻 when it’s time for another Zoom Happy Hour, without having to open a separate emoji keyboard. Sure, it may sound minor, but considering how dependent we’ve become on image-based communication, any shortcut is helpful.
Additionally, Google will add 117 new emoji to Android 11 this fall. Some are an effort to improve the inclusion of their emoji options, such as the man with the veil, the woman in a tuxedo and the person who feeds the baby with a bottle. Some are just plain fun, like the tamales (😋), the piñata, and the anatomically correct heart. Some have been redesigned to play well in the dark mode, like the skunk. And some … some are a return to beloved designs from the past that were changed by someone with very lack of criteria. A great welcome back to 2013 frog and turtle!
