Apple to release the new, diversified emoji

After much discussion over the lack of skin tones on the emoji keyboard, Apple decided to do some revamping. The latest betas of iOS 8.3 and OS X 10.10.3, which are rolling out to developers, will let users choose the skin color of selected icons.

Apple openly acknowledged their lack of ethnic diversity in 2014 after several spoke out, such as pop star Miley Cyrus who tweeted, “RT if you think there needs to be an #emojiethnicityupdate.” Apple reportedly responded with an update allowing users to alter the hue of any emoji in the people set. Apple told MTV in 2014 that would work with Consortium to improve upon its diversity and that the matter would be taken seriously, according to the Washington Post.

The popularity of emoji use began in Japan. However, the Silicon Valley-based non-profit the Unicode Consortium develops and maintains emojis and the software standards for texts and characters. The draft proposal that Consortium released used a scale of skin tones issued by dermatologist Thomas B. Fitzgerald. The scale will be available for 151 characters, and Apple’s characters are to based on the scale’s classification.

Apple has previously worked to create more diversity within their product. In 2012, same-sex couples were added with a software update. And it looks like they will continue doing so. The new iOS beta will include the ability to issue voice commands in Russian, Turkish and Portuguese through Siri. Apple is also replacing its watch emoji with the Apple Watch, and it will include support for CarPlay.

Nevertheless, these new updates are only in the works. It is early. Apple has yet to release iOS 8.2, according to Engadget, so users could be waiting a while for these new features. However, Apple is reportedly allowing users with public betas to test its upcoming iOS releases.

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