Apple releases new emoji in iOS 8.3 update

Published April 9, 2015 12:08pm

Apple's iPhones and iPads will soon get more diverse emoji along with other performance updates with the release of iOS 8.3, the latest update to the mobile operating system.

In a change log, Apple said iOS 8.3 also includes bug fixes and a redesigned Emoji keyboard.

There are "over 300 new (emoji) characters," it said. Other changes include:

improved app responsiveness
better support for third-party keyboards
simplified Chinese keyboard

The update also fixes an issue where a user could be continuously prompted for login credentials.

It likewise addresses an issue where some devices disconnect intermittently from Wi-Fi networks.

Also fixed in iOS 8.3 are issues where hands-free phone calls could become disconnected and where audio playback could stop working with some Bluetooth speakers

Apple also included in iOS 8.3 fixes to CarPlay and Enterprise.

Testing emoji

But tech site Mashable noted some of the new emoji may not translate well when sent to someone using iOS 8.2.

"For example, sending a granny emoji with tan skin from iOS 8.3 results in a standard pink emoji granny face and an alien emoji. The same thing happened when we tried darker-skinned versions of the baby and nose emoji," Mashable said. — Joel Locsin/TJD, GMA News

Tags: apple, appleios, appleiphone