World Emoji Day 2021: From ':-)' in the 2000's to Soundmojis over two decades later, we have come a long way

When was the last time you used an emoji? Just now? Or maybe a couple of minutes ago? Because it can't be longer than that! This is how hinged we are to these emojis for our daily digital conversations. Ever since 2014, the world has been celebrating an the World Emoji Day on 17 July.[caption id="attachment_9811501" align="alignnone" width="1280"] World Emoji Day is celebrated on 17 July. Image: Microsoft[/caption]Though it is difficult to go back as to when we first started using them, but if I think about it, my first memory of an emoticon is sending ";-)" on text messages to my friends. However, the first "fun emoji" that really stayed with me was Microsoft's paper clip animated emoji called "Clippy", which back then, was more like a wizard that popped up while I was making my school assignments on Microsoft Word asking "how can I help you?". The good news is that Microsoft has recently announced to bring the Clippy animated emoji back! Ah, the nostalgia![caption id="attachment_9811461" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Remember Microsoft's Clippy?[/caption]From AR stickers, Giphy to memoji avatars this segment has evolved dramatically over the past years. Here's a look at what different platforms and tech companies are doing this World Emoji day:

Facebook: Hear your emojis now!

Soundmoji[/caption]You can even share famous audio clips from artists like Rebecca Black and TV shows and movies like Universal Pictures’ F9, NBC and Universal Television’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and Netflix and Shondaland’s Bridgerton. “Ah, the drama of it all.”

Microsoft: Bringing back Clippy and new 3D emojis

In addition to bringing back the 3D emoji Clippy, the company has also announced to replace the 3D emoticons with 2D ones. In the coming months, the company will also release five new 3D emojis for its users. As per the company, "it was critical for us to preserve the intent of the emotion while putting our design spin on them. Finally, because we want people to trust that they’ll be engaging with uplifting and inspiring designs, we leaned into bright, saturated colors and bold forms!"

Microsoft has also emphasised that the users need new emojis for workplaces that are not very frivolous to use and yet playful. Below are a few examples of concept sketches for the said new emojis.[caption id="attachment_9811441" align="alignnone" width="2000"] Concept design for workplace appropriate emojis. Image: Microsoft[/caption]People will also be able to use animated emojis on Skype and Microsoft Teams as well. These animated emojis include Smiling Face with Hearts, bisexual pride, genderfluid pride, and non-binary pride flags,  Partying Face emoji and more.[caption id="attachment_9811391" align="alignnone" width="640"] New animated emojis for Skype[/caption]

Snapchat: Because pandemic is still not over

Snapchat Bitmoji[/caption]On the occasion of World Emoji Day, Snapchat has introduced a new bitmoji sticker that reads, "You are essential" in appreciation of frontline workers. To spread awareness about vaccination, there are two new bitmoji stickers: "Get Your Shot", and "Got My Shot".

Unicode Consortium: New heart hands, Person with Crown emojis? Yes, Yes, Yes

Draft Unicode 14.0[/caption]

Emojis the new love language? Dating apps say so!