Since a picture is worth a thousand words — even a tiny one — prepare to dramatically expand your vocabulary with the tap of a screen. In honor of World Emoji Day, which took place on July 17th, both Apple and Google announced that they will be releasing brand new emojis later this year.
Mac users will be able to access 59 new tiny pictures, while Android fans will have 65 to choose from. We have heart eyes for the work both companies have done to make their selections more inclusive. For example, there are new emojis showing people using wheelchairs or canes, plus artificial limbs, and service dogs. The traditional holding hands couple has also had a makeover, allowing us to personalize the gender of each partner and their skin tone — there will be 75 possible combinations on Apple, and 71 on Android.
In addition, we’ll also be getting new animals: Apple and Android will be giving users a sloth, a flamingo, an orangutan and a skunk, and Android has also confirmed that they’ve created an adorable otter.
But obviously, we’re also keen to find out what new foods we’ll be able to use. Both companies have confirmed four new additions to their emoji menus: a garlic bulb, a waffle, a plate of falafel, and a stick of butter.
👏 New: Apple Reveals New 2019 Emojis for #WorldEmojiDay including waffle, flamingo, sloth and more https://t.co/DU2p7XpzRa pic.twitter.com/IUpVpwn7B7
— Emojipedia (@Emojipedia) July 16, 2019
And here are Android’s:
Google showcases its new emojis for Android Qhttps://t.co/th2OYAZQZT pic.twitter.com/feoe3bNQl7
— MobileSyrup (@MobileSyrup) July 17, 2019
People really heart emojis, so of course Twitter has Thoughts on these new ones. First of all, the waffle is extremely welcome, since it’s been top of many people’s request list.
@Apple can we get a waffle emoji please?
— Von (@sickkkly_) July 7, 2019
Campaigns have been launched to make this dream happen:
sign my petition for apple to make a waffle emoji so i can explain my craving with a single character
— 𝒥𝑒𝓈𝓈𝒾𝑒 (@jessiejoannne) July 9, 2019
Especially in light of the success of a certain show…
@apple I freaking need the Waffles emoji for Eleven (@Stranger_Things ) thank you.
— cꨄraʟ ໒ྀི (@youngcoralis) July 6, 2019
Now it’s here, the joy is palpable:
OMG FINALLY APPLE COMING OUT WITH A WAFFLE EMOJI SJSJDJDJ YES YES YES
— lena ･:*✧ (@gycybunun) July 16, 2019
It’s enough to really make you want your own edible version.
Apple Shows Off New Emoji Coming This Fall [Images]
— JΞSЦS (@Kewl_Onion) July 17, 2019
Damn you, Apple! The waffle emoji is so well done... now I’m hungry 😭😭😭🥧 https://t.co/zvq8xY9gEP
The falafel emoji was just as welcome.
Thank you, @apple for finally adding a #falafel emoji
— sarmchugh (@sarmchugh) February 6, 2019
It’s going straight to the top of this user’s favorites list:
Forget petitions: people were calling on a higher power to get this one made.
However, now it’s here, Apple’s in particular is drawing some criticism. Let’s compare:
Apple's (left) 🆚 Google's (right) "falafel emoji" 🥙 pic.twitter.com/Gfjrmhh56c
— 𝖆𝖍𝖒𝖊𝖉 𝖊𝖑𝖒𝖆𝖓𝖘𝖎 🕺🏻 (@elmansi) July 17, 2019
See the issue some have raised?
Android 1: Apple 0. Fortunately, Apple did a better job on one of the others:
The garlic emoji on #iPhone vs #android is a literal example of you vs the guy she tells you not to worry about, and that Apple garlic looks scrumptious. 😩 pic.twitter.com/i2tzjIXVJf
— Jess K. (@JKunzat) July 17, 2019
Android 1: Apple 1.
Of course, food emojis aren’t just about eating…
The upcoming garlic emoji will be a good addition to 🍆 & 🍑 pic.twitter.com/Y5zcVFb1af
— threeboy (@threeboy) July 18, 2019
And people are already preparing alternate meanings for these new ones, especially garlic.
i can't wait for the garlic emoji so i can abuse it
— CROW INFECTION (@foxgraves) July 18, 2019
One obvious potential use:
People are also ready for the butter. Really ready:
just give me the butter emoji now dear god it’s everything i’ve ever wanted
— chris ☆ミ 🏳️🌈 (@ThatChrisPadro) July 18, 2019
But some have their doubts about the design.
The future 'butter' emoji looks like a cheese stick to me pic.twitter.com/nQ2k1Ogccd
— Stéphane Rangaya (@stephane) July 18, 2019
There’s disagreement over who did it butter- er, better.
"Google’s design [of the butter emoji, right] just doesn’t have the same appeal, nor is it as immediately identifiable."
— Roderick Gadellaa (@RGadellaa) July 17, 2019
Wait. Apple's butter emoji (left) looks like what we in NL call cake. Who "slices" their butter like that??
I will admit: I'd rather have cake then butter. pic.twitter.com/SYU4vfjawm
And besides…
Someone will find a reason… Meanwhile, people are already putting in requests for the next round of food emojis.
Even the emoji experts are weighing in:
Anyone else craving some new food emojis?
— World Emoji Day 📅 (@WorldEmojiDay) July 17, 2019
We could do certainly do with some breakfast soon at least... 🍳🥞 https://t.co/Fd89YBQbBp
Maybe one for Christmas fans?
If you’ve already plotted 56 ways to use the falafel, or are looking to spread the butter emoji far and wide, here’s when and how to get them. Apple users will have to wait until fall 2019, when they’ll be available in a free software update. The Android ones will be included with Android Q, Android’s next operating system: a beta version is available now, with the full version expected to launch in August.
