Apple Replacing Emoji
Apple has announced that it will be replacing the controversial pistol emoji with a green water gun in the next version of its iPhone and iPad operating system, iOS 10.
This move is just one of several changes that the company plans to make in the world of emojis. Along with the gun swap, Apple is also introducing new and revamped emojis that represent women in traditionally male-dominated roles such as detectives, construction workers, and police officers. Additionally, there will be new female athletes, a pride flag, and family options for single parents.
The decision to swap the pistol emoji for a water gun is not the first time that Apple has made efforts toward cartoon gun control. Earlier this year, the governing body in charge of emojis nixed a proposed rifle emoji. The decision was met with mixed reactions, with some praising the move as a step towards a safer society, while others criticized it as unnecessary censorship.
Apple's decision to replace the pistol emoji with a water gun comes after a string of incidents where the emoji has been used in a threatening manner. In one case, a 12-year-old in Virginia was charged after allegedly threatening her school in an Instagram post that used a gun, knife, and bomb emoji. Similarly, a teenage boy in Brooklyn was arrested for posting a police emoji with pistol emojis pointing at his head. These incidents highlight the potential harm that these seemingly harmless emojis can cause.
However, this move by Apple has also been met with backlash from some users who feel that it is an unnecessary change. Many argue that the water gun still represents a weapon and is not significantly different from the pistol in terms of its associations with violence. Some also feel that this change is a result of political correctness and goes against the freedom of expression that emojis allow.
The decision to replace the pistol emoji also raises questions about the effectiveness of such changes in preventing gun violence. While it may seem like a small step towards promoting non-violence, there are concerns that it could lead to a slippery slope where other seemingly offensive emojis may also be replaced in the future.
Furthermore, it is worth noting that Apple's decision only affects its own products and does not have control over other platforms that still use the realistic pistol emoji. This could potentially lead to confusion and misinterpretation when sending messages across different platforms.
Apart from the pistol emoji swap, Apple's introduction of new emojis representing women in traditionally male-dominated roles has been met with positive feedback. Critics have long pointed out the lack of diversity and gender stereotypes in the existing set of emojis, and this move by Apple is seen as a step towards addressing these issues.
Apple's decision to introduce family options for single parents also sends a positive message of inclusivity and representation for non-traditional families. As society becomes more diverse, it is important for emojis to reflect and represent these changes.
The public beta of iOS 10 is currently available for download, and the final version will be released this fall. Whether this move by Apple towards gun control and diversity in emojis will have a significant impact remains to be seen. However, it has sparked important conversations about the role and influence of emojis in our society.