#Roommates if you haven’t done so already, you might want to download the new Apple iOS update because it’s filled with tons of new features, specifically emojis. Always looking to be groundbreaking, Apple’s new emoji keyboard now contains over 400 gender neutral emojis in the latest step towards diversity and inclusion.
Apple’s new iOS 13.2 software is its most diverse yet, as there are now 457 gender neutral options for current human characters. Additionally, Apple users now have the option to mix and match two women, two men, or a woman and man, while a new combination shows people holding hands without a specific gender.
The new emojis are now able to be even more customized with race and gender because a wider variety of skin tones are available. To further stress the importance of representation in emoji characters, there are now more disability-themed emoji options as well, including those with characters in wheelchairs, with prosthetic limbs and representing the vision-impaired. These are now known as new accessibility-focused emojis.
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In support of women’s issues, a period emoji has also been introduced, which looks like the raindrop emoji, but is instead red in color. The update is the result of a request made by Apple in March 2018 to request more emojis that were inclusive of those with disabilities in a proposal sent to the Unicode Consortium.
In the request letter written at the time, Apple stated:
“Currently, emoji provide a wide range of options, but may not represent the experiences of those with disabilities. Diversifying the options available helps fill a significant gap and provides a more inclusive experience for all.”
Many Apple users have been asking for years for emojis that are more diverse and represent real people, so it’s nice to know that their requests have finally been answered.
Roommates, what are your thoughts on this?
