Just yesterday, it was revealed that Google plans to release an Android update next week, starting with its Nexus line of devices. One of the new features will be the addition of new emojis . Well, today we've learned what these will be (at least most of them). And, to be honest, they're not bad at all.
The information comes from Reddit, where a user, using a script, managed to obtain images of what the new Google emoji designs will look like. And what program did they use to do this? Hangouts , which will be one of the platforms receiving the new emojis and, it seems, already has the information that has now been revealed in its database. Incidentally, we shouldn't forget that new fonts and a new keyboard will also be available.
Below is a small image showing the new emojis, which, as a reminder, are part of the much more powerful and comprehensive Unicode 8 standard and will arrive on Android next week. To enlarge it, simply tap on the image to see their designs much more clearly (they are mixed with the existing ones).
Noto Emoji and where you'll see the new designs
Google's emojis are distributed as part of the Noto Emoji project . Their images are used on most Android devices , in the Gmail web interface , in Google Meet , and on ChromeOS . Additionally, on non-Apple platforms like Windows, Linux, and Android, Slack also displays Google's designs. On Xiaomi, Oppo, and Sony phones , the default set is Noto Color Emoji, while Google offers variations such as the minimalist (monochromatic) Noto Emoji font and an animated subset used by the Messages app.
Compatibility, versions and deployment
Android has been progressively adding support for the various Unicode catalogs. Android 12L brought Emoji 14.0 recommendations with 107 new emojis, including a melting face , heart-shaped hands , and a mixed-skin-tone handshake . Many of these updates are distributed via system or security updates , so they don't always require a major version upgrade. Keep in mind that Samsung uses its own set of emojis; and on Android, WhatsApp , Facebook , and Twitter display their own custom images, while Signal and Telegram may use Apple's designs in certain contexts.
Redesign of existing ones
This is also a new feature, as, as mentioned earlier, there's a redesign of existing emojis that are compatible with the Unicode 7 standard . Furthermore, it's now possible to select different options for some of them, such as choosing skin tone for greetings and farewells. Interestingly, some Hangouts users have reported that the latest update to their app already includes these changes.
Inclusivity has advanced with the arrival of gender-neutral emojis (53 designs) in Android Q. Google worked on gender-neutral hairstyles and clothing , and avoided identifying accessories like ties so that a single pictogram can represent more people . They typically arrive first on Pixel devices and later on other brands; if the user has an older version, the emoji may appear with the default gender depending on the platform.
Latest Unicode: New faces, hearts, and objects
Unicode 15.0 added 21 new emojis (31 with skin tones when considering the pushing hands). These included a shaking face, a pink heart , a light blue heart , and a gray heart ; as well as a hand pushing left and right, which together form a high-five gesture. Also added were a moose, donkey, wing, goose, jellyfish, ginger, hyacinth, pea pod, folding hand fan, lock of hair, maracas, flute, the Khanda symbol , and Wi-Fi . The evolution continues with new proposals in Unicode 16.0 , which adds more designs to fill semantic and cultural gaps.
More features: Emoji Kitchen, fonts and animations
With Gboard , the Emoji Kitchen feature lets you combine emojis into stickers and create thousands of variations, even from Google search results . In addition, Google is promoting monochrome emoji fonts for formal documents and COLRv1 support on Android, which converts emojis into crisp vector graphics at any size. The company has also added a large catalog of animated emojis , available for compatible messaging apps.
Audio emojis in calls
Google's Phone app is testing sound and animation reactions during calls, a kind of "audio emoji" designed to express emotions in real time. Among those available are:
- Applause, with animation and clapping sounds.
- Risa, to celebrate a joke or funny moment.
- Celebration, ideal for good news.
- Crying, a lullaby for disappointment.
- Poop, a very recognizable humorous effect.
- Drumroll, a classic way of finishing off occurrences.
Its availability may vary depending on beta programs and region, but it anticipates a richer integration of contextual reactions within Android.
The vast majority of the new emojis Google has prepared for Android have already been revealed—we'll see if they're all included. This brings its operating system in line with Apple's iOS, which is good news. Furthermore, the widespread use of these graphic elements means that adding new ones is no longer just a matter of fun or curiosity. What do you think of the new features? With Noto Emoji, improved compatibility, and features like Emoji Kitchen, animations, and vector fonts, the Android ecosystem gains expressiveness and consistency across all Google devices and services.