LONDON: Apple iPhone and iPad users now have a new palate of emoji, including a group of alternative or gay family illustrations.
The new emoji appear on an update to Apple’s mobile operating software, iOS 8.3.
They include illustrations of family units that comprise two male parents or two female parents, as well as characters of various races.
Apple has made no comment about the update, but in a statement earlier this year it said it “supports and cares deeply about diversity”.
Apple chief executive Tim Cook announced last October he was “proud to be gay”, following long speculation about his sexual preference.