The Evolution of Emoji on the Computer: From Simple Symbols to Animated Expressions
We can all agree that emojis are an essential part of our online communication in the modern era. These small digital images have become an indispensable tool to express our emotions and convey our messages while communicating on various digital platforms. However, emoji’s journey has not been as straightforward as it may seem. They have come a long way on the computer, from simple symbols to animated expressions.
Let’s take a closer look at the evolution of emoji on computers, from their initial creation to their current status.
The Origin of Emojis
Emojis were first created in Japan during the late 1990s. A man named Shigetaka Kurita created the first set of emojis for the Japanese telecom company NTT Docomo in 1999. Back then, emojis were limited to only 176 characters, and they were simply black and white symbols that included basic icons for weather, traffic, and technology.
After their inception, emojis were gradually embraced by the Japanese public, the country where text messaging was extremely popular. Soon, the use of emojis spread to other parts of the world, and they became ubiquitous in messaging apps and on social media platforms.
Emojis Take Over the World
The popularity of emojis soared globally, and it wasn’t long before tech giants like Apple and Google recognized their potential. They started incorporating emojis into their devices and software to meet the growing demand.
Over time, the basic emojis were updated and expanded, with Unicode Consortium regulating over 3,500 emojis as of 2021. Emojis started featuring unique skin tones, gender inclusivity, and new categories. But the most significant change occurred with the introduction of Animated emojis.
Animated Emojis
Animated emojis, or animojis, take emojis to a whole new level. These emojis are no longer flat images, but they feature motion and voice recognition. They allow users to express their emotions more precisely and add fun and personality to messages.
Apple introduced animojis through their iPhone X’s front camera and Face ID technology, which tracks facial expressions and uses them to animate emojis in real-time. Google developed its version of animojis, called “Google Emoji Mini,” that allows users to create 3D avatars and animate them with an app.
The Future of Emojis
It’s safe to say that emojis are here to stay. These little icons have become so embedded in our digital communication that it’s challenging to imagine life without them. As we advance into the future, emojis will undoubtedly continue to evolve and cater to the growing demand. We can expect even more unique emoji options, including culturally diverse and disability-inclusive emojis.
Conclusion
From humble beginnings to an integral part of our digital communication, the journey of emojis on computers has been nothing short of fascinating. Emojis have evolved from black and white symbols to colorful, animated expressions. They continue to enrich our online conversations, and we can expect even more exciting developments in the future.
