Apple users will soon be able to send iMessages with taco, unicorn and middle finger emojis.

The release of Apple’s latest software update, iOS 9.1, comes with more than 50 new emojis, according to a recent USA Today article. Apple has not yet confirmed a release date for the software, according to techradar.com.

Emojis have become a common resource for technology users to communicate without using words, or by emphasizing words.

“Emojis are a great example of fads, fashion and technology colliding,” said Richard Lankes, a professor in the Syracuse University School of Information Studies. “Many people use them because they are fun, but they are also efficient.”

A new iOS 9.1 emoji in particular has been highly anticipated and frequently requested by emoji lovers. With pizza, burger and french fries emojis already available, Taco Bell took it upon itself seven months ago to create a petition on Change.org, demanding the introduction of a taco emoji, according to the USA Today article.

The petition — called “The Taco Emoji Needs to Happen” — was sent to Unicode Consortium, a nonprofit organization that develops and manages a character coding system, according to its website. After seven months and more than 33,000 signatures later, Taco Bell’s suggestion became a reality.

Over time, these emoticons have become a new language for smartphone users; they can reveal emotion, save a conversation and instigate a joke.

Emojis may eventually replace texting acronyms such as “lol” and “brb” as they seem to have a much wider uptake, and are more understood and usable by older folks, Lankes said.

Taco Bell’s successful petition reflects the demand for new emojis and explains why emojis are consistently added when the Unicode Technical Committee meets quarterly to make updates, according to Gizmodo.com.

“Emojis just make it easier to understand each other and the feelings behind our written words,” said Betsy Perkocha, a sophomore supply chain management major.

Perkochia added that almost everyone she knows, including her mother, uses emojis.

Although some of the new emojis may be considered vulgar, Apple wants to remain the most up-to-date operating system. Once Apple releases iOS 9.1, it will be the first operating system that includes all characters available on other programs such as Microsoft and WhatsApp, plus new emojis, too, according to the Emojipedia website.

As these new characters continue to be developed, forms of communication may develop as well.

As Apple users anticipate the iOS 9.1 software update, they can prepare to see a cheese wedge, champagne bottle, popcorn, turkey, hot dog and even a middle finger in their emoji keyboard.

“I would be lying if I didn’t say I was looking forward to flipping a few folks off,” said, Lankes, the iSchool professor.

Published on September 15, 2015 at 10:53 pm

Contact Elissa: emcandio@syr.edu