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Emoji, also called smileys or emoticons, are a popular way to express yourself in digital messages and on websites. Originally, they were widely used in Japanese culture, but now they have become popular worldwide and are available on many devices. In this article, we will discuss how to use emoji on iPhone and iPad, along with the latest updates and changes to the emoji keyboard.
New Emoji in iOS 10.2
In iOS 10.2, Apple released 72 new emoji characters, including a new job and same-sex emojis. Some of the new female characters include a firefighter, a scientist, and more. Additionally, some favorite emojis were redesigned, so you may notice a fresh appearance from some of your favorite ones.
What is the Difference Between Emoji and Emoticons?
The main difference between emoji and emoticons is that emoticons are general smiley faces used in text messages, such as the classic smiley face or winky face, while emojis are standardized images built into devices, including iPhones and iPads. Emojis have Japanese influences and include various food, animals, and characters.
Apple and Emoji
Apple has been integrating emojis into its products for many years, starting with their introduction on Mac’s OS X 10.7 Lion. iPhones and iPads have hundreds of emojis available, and Apple regularly adds new ones. The most significant emoji update was released in iOS 8.3 and included an improved emoji picker that organizes emojis in categories in a searchable list. Apple also expanded the diversity of the emojis with the addition of extended family options and ethnicity modifiers.
More than 100 new and redesigned emoji characters were added to iOS 10, bringing gender options to existing characters and new female athletes and professionals. Apple works alongside the Unicode Consortium to ensure that popular emojis characters reflect the variety of people everywhere.
Using Emoji on iPhone and iPad
To use the emoji keyboard on your iPhone or iPad, first, you need to enable it. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard and select “Keyboards.” Then, add Emoji to your keyboard options. In messaging apps, tap the Smiley icon or hold down the Globe key to open the emoji keyboard. Within each theme, swipe left or right to view more emojis or select the icons at the bottom of the keyboard to change the emoji theme. To see the frequently used emojis, tap the clock icon.
Getting More Emoji on Your iPhone and iPad
There are various apps available in the App Store that offer additional emoji options for your iPhone or iPad. However, most are paid, and it is recommended to exhaust the built-in iOS keyboard options before purchasing additional emojis you may not use.
Getting iOS Emoji on Android
Transferring emojis between Android and iOS devices can sometimes lead to incompatible displays. Some Android users may want to install the iOS emojis on their devices, and while it requires root access, apps like BusyBox and Emoji switcher by developer Steven Schoen can implement the change.
Conclusion
Enabling emojis on your iPhone or iPad is simple and easy to access, and with continuous updates and added emoji characters, it will keep you entertained and express your feelings.
FAQs
1. Can I create my own emoji on iPhone or iPad?
No, you cannot create your own emoji on an iPhone or iPad, but you can use the Memoji and Animoji feature, which allows you to create personalized characters using facial recognition technology.
2. Can I use emojis on social media platforms?
Yes, emojis are supported by many social media platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat.