Questions Abound With New Apple Watch Emoji (But Not Really)
Apple has also made several changes to emoji that are related to Apple products. The existing standard watch emoji has been replaced with an emoji that’s based on its upcoming Apple Watch, with a black band and an analog watch face. The iPhone emoji has been updated to resemble the iPhone 6, and the computer emoji is now an iMac.
While the above changes are found inside OS X 10.3.3 beta 2, Twitter user @AR72014 offers confirmation that the new Apple Watch emoji — which is the only one we really care about — has made its way into iOS 8.3 beta 2, presumably along with the aforementioned others. Due to its low resolution (or my aching eyeballs — thanks a lot, Friday night!), it was difficult to tell exactly which of the three available devices the icon actually references, and I initially assumed it to be an Apple Watch Sport with a black Band. Which would make sense, because, by my reckoning (and Apple’s reported manufactory orders), this is the model the company expects to sell in highest number. However, after comparing the gloss profiles of the Digital Crowns as shown in Apple’s product gallery, it seems pretty clear that it’s the stainless steel version. And that makes sense, too, as this likely represents the most common model in the “standard” Apple Watch line. Of course, with all their emphasis on haute luxury, I wouldn’t have been surprised to see the gold Edition shown off instead. Still, if that model’s supposed to be exclusive, I can see why Apple doesn’t want every iPhone, iPad, and Mac owner to have one. Petty elitists!
Also note that, as reported by Clover, these new emoji are expected to deploy along with the character set’s emphasis on “added diversity.” Yes, more skin tones are coming to your keyboard. And though it’s clearly a coincidence in terms of Apple Watch, it should be noted that — based on the global market for big-money high fashion — it’s a fitting one. Apple reportedly ordered a million Editions at $10,000-plus a pop, and an awful lot of those seem earmarked for places where lighter skin pigmentation isn’t exactly representative of the majority. Around the office, Abdel keeps telling us that Edition isn’t really for the American or European markets. These emoji certainly aren’t proof of that, but I think he’s right all the same.