The Unicode consortium plans to release the Emoji 18.0 update in the coming months, covering mobile and computer keyboards globally. This new package not only expands users' visual communication options but also standardizes old icons that caused interpretation discrepancies between different operating systems.
Version 18.0 introduces six new figures. Among them are the 'Cracked Smiling Face,' used to express chaotic situations while maintaining digital composure; the 'Lighthouse,' symbolizing direction and light; and the 'Eraser,' representing starting something from scratch. Furthermore, the gesture tab will receive thumbs pointing right and left, useful for side emphasis in conversations, and the 'Net with Handle,' which represents collecting or capturing something.
In addition to additions, the update focuses on resolving design fragmentation issues. Jennifer Daniel, president of the Unicode emoji subcommittee, mentioned that different systems drew the same code in distinct ways, which will be corrected. For example, the 'Comet' will be displayed uniformly as a blue ice trail across all platforms. The representation of 'rock on fire' will gain an official code as 'Meteor.'
In the food category, the 'Cucumber' will maintain its vegetable classification across all devices, while the 'Pickle' will receive a dedicated code, serving both to identify the food and to indicate being in trouble (reference to the expression 'in a pickle'). The 'Butterfly' was also revised: previously, it appeared as a blue species (Morpho) or orange (Monarch) depending on the device. Now, the Monarch has its own emoji, carrying a meaning related to resilience and resistance.
The Roost application models message sending using virtual carrier pigeons, where delivery time depends on the distance between users and the flight speed of each specific bird breed.
The app's creator, Logan Mendelson, aims to offer a more measured and less instantaneous communication experience that serves as a kind of pause, unlike traditional messengers. He explained this idea to the specialized site TechCrunch.
Mendelson noted that the app experienced significant growth in May after gaining attention from a publication in Threads, which led to an increase in active users from 10 thousand to 100 thousand. Furthermore, the app went viral in Brazil thanks to a post on X on Thursday (07/15).
Upon registering in Roost, the user selects four types of birds to create a virtual aviary. These animals (as well as snails and tortoises) are used to deliver messages to contacts within the app, and users can purchase new species.
The arrival time of a message is determined by two key factors: the physical distance between the sender and receiver, and the actual speed of the chosen species. In a test conducted by Tecnoblog, it was found that a message from the state of São Paulo to Amazonas could arrive in approximately three days.
By default, Roost, developed using Claude Code, only shows contacts the user's city, but there is an option to share real-time precise location with close friends. The app also includes a Pen Pals feature, which allows exchanging anonymous letters with people of the same age.
To reduce the risk of misuse, the platform limits image sending. In addition to text and GIF files, users can write 'letters' or draw by hand using the 'Caderno' tool.
