The final list of new emojis for 2019 has been approved by the Unicode Consortium.
Called Emoji Version 12.0, this set is comprised of 59 distinct new emojis; 75 when gender variations are taken into account; and a total of 230 when all skin tone options are also included.
The inclusion of manual wheelchairs, motorized wheelchairs, probing canes, hearing aids, mechanical arm, mechanical leg, service dog, and guide dog to this year’s list shows that the Unicode Consortium listened to Apple’s proposal last year to better represent persons with disabilities. Still part of Unicode Consortium’s move toward greater inclusion, the 2019 emoji set also includes men holding hands, women holding hands, and a man and a woman holding hands in various skin colors.
The new set also expands the list of animal emojis with the addition of orangutan, flamingo, skunk, sloth, and otter emojis. Onion, garlic, waffle, butter, falafel, mate drink, and ice cube emojis also made to the list. Other objects that have gotten the emoji treatment are parachute, briefs, ballet shoes, axe, adhesive bandage, safety vest, sari, blood drop, diving mask, chair, banjo, razor, stethoscope, kite, yoyo, safety vest, and many others.
A white heart, which was one of Emojipedia’s most requested emoji, is also present in the list, together with a brown heart emoji. The circle and the square emojis also get some upgrades, as both are now available in more colors.
Though already approved and finalized, these new emojis are not yet available for use. Software providers like Apple, Google, Samsung, and Microsoft will have to create their own version of the new emoji set first before their users can enjoy them on their respective device interfaces.
Source: The Verge