In Apple's latest update, emojis get diverse

NEW YORK -- Lovers of emojis, the cute graphics that punctuate online writing and texts, soon will be able to pick from different skin tones on Apple devices.

Apple Inc. has incorporated more diverse emojis into the developer version of the update to its mobile operating system. The iPhone and iPad maker has not said when the update will be available for all users.

Almost all emojis depicting people or body parts, such as a fist or bicep, currently look white. More cartoonlike faces that are smiling, crying, winking or suggestive of other emotions come in a shade of yellow reminiscent of "The Simpsons" characters.

An Apple spokeswoman said Tuesday the company is working with the Unicode Consortium, the not-for-profit 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 emojis. A Unicode technical report says users worldwide want emojis that better reflect global diversity.

Devices made by Apple as well as those running Google Inc.'s Android operating system dominate the smartphone and tablet market.

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