Watch CBS News

Apple Adds 5 Skin Shades For More Racially Diverse Emoji Characters

CUPERTINO (CBS SF) -- Lovers of emoji, the cute graphics that punctuate online messages, will soon be able to pick from different skin tones following criticism about the lack of diversity.

IPhone and iPad maker Apple has incorporated more diverse emoji into the developer version of the latest update to its mobile operating system. It has not said when the update will be available for all users.

Currently almost all the emojis depicting people or body parts such as a fist or bicep look white.

Apple analyst Rene Ritchie tweeted the new iOS 8.3 has 300 new emoji and includes 32 new country flags.

Among the new characters includes a Santa Claus with five different skin tones.

The watch, phone and computer are also undergoing an update.

An Apple spokeswoman says the company is working with the Unicode Consortium, the nonprofit organization that sets the standards for the pictograms, "to update the standard so that it better represents diversity for all of us."

Unicode last fall proposed adding five new skin color options for emoji.

TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

 

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.