Android can separate emoji from OS updates so you can get new ones faster



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Emoji are important. Heck, that was the main reason I wanted to write about the recent iOS 14.2 update. More emoji = better expression.

Whenever the Unicode Consortium, a non-profit organization that manages dissemination and the approval of the emoji, released a new set, there is a palpable excitement to start using them in our favorite apps and devices ASAP. However, we often have to wait for Apple, Google or your phone manufacturer to release an OS update with the new bundle.

[Read: Why this security engineer loves working in infosec]

This process may change for Android users. Detectors at XDA developers a clue in the Android code that suggests the Big G is thinking separate emoji from system update, so you can get them faster.

Here’s what happens: Until now, font files with emoji were stored under the / system / fonts phone book. So refreshing them was only possible through a live update.

The new commit code suggests they should be stored under a new / data / fonts / files directory, which allows a server update of these files. This means that Google or other manufacturers can push a font file update to send new emoji to users at any time.

The new code also says it will help other apps read these files and import new emoji right into their system.

As the folks at XDA noted, this code has not been merged with the Android open source project, so it’s not final yet. But we can hope that this update will make the cut and that we will get some new emojis without waiting for a live update.

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Published November 25, 2020 – 06:29 UTC



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