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Apple Has Changed The Mask Emoji Due To Coronavirus

Apple Has Changed The Mask Emoji Due To Coronavirus

Apple has recently updated the face so that it looks a little more cheerful to show that wearing a mask is no bad thing

Jess Hardiman

Jess Hardiman

There are some emojis out there that are used far more than others - whether it's the passive-aggressive thumbs up, the flirty kissing emoji or the clinking beer steins.

But there was one that you probably didn't even know was a thing until the beginning of this year, and now it's become one of the most relatable emojis out there.

Yep, the 'Face with Medical Mask' emoji has become an unlikely symbol of everyday life for 2020, meaning it's no longer relevant just for those working in clinical settings - and now it's had an upgrade.

Following its newfound fame, Apple has recently updated the face so that it looks a little more cheerful, to show that wearing a mask is no bad thing.

PA

The new version of the emoji comes with Apple's new mobile operating system, iOS 14.2, which is currently in beta stage and expected to release in late October or early November 2020.

Before, the emoji had exasperated downturned eyes, and looked a bit sorry for itself. But after its makeover, the face not only has cheerful blushing cheeks, but its happy eyes imply there's even a smile going on under that covering.

Emojipedia has even created a graphic comparing the before and after version, showing just how much happier the emoji is these days.

Emojipedia

And if you're not convinced that there's a smile beneath that white face mask, the website has also shown that the new emoji literally borrows the expression from Apple's existing 'Smiling Face', with the covering simply laid over the top.

Emojipedia

Samsung also made similar changes back in March, replacing its sweating, unhappy version with a smiling alternative.

As for Apple's other new emojis heading our way as part of the software update, we'll have plenty to choose from - including a transgender symbol, a tiny image of a beaver, a gender-inclusive Santa Claus, a ninja, a set of baby bottle feeding signs, a disguised face, a sink plunger, some bubble tea, a boomerang, a piñata, a temple, a dodo, an anatomically correct heart and even a 'happy crying' emoji (not to be confused with the crying while laughing one, of course).

Overall, Apple will be introducing 100 new additions to the already bulging emoji family, and as well as the new gender-inclusive emoji variants, there will also be new skin tones added for several of the existing emojis.

Featured Image Credit: Apple/PA

Topics: Phones and Gadgets, World News, News, Face Mask, Technology, Apple, iPhone