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The Latest Android N Updates Are Here with Better Emojis, Launcher Shortcuts, & More

Apr 13, 2016 07:48 PM

Apr 14, 2016 10:14 PM

A collection of diverse emojis representing various professions and activities.

The latest Android N preview build was released today, April 13th, and included Emoji Unicode 9.0 support, among other things. The highlight is definitely the emojis, and the new designs are intended to look more realistic than the older, blobbier emojis.

A collection of diverse emoji representing emotions, professions, and activities.

The update also allows for skin tone variations and adds new emojis like the face palm, selfie, and the juggler, to name just a few.

Various emoji representing animals and human faces with different expressions and professions.

Various emojis representing couples and families.

A collection of diverse emoji representing various emotions and actions.

Get These Emojis Right Now

We hate waiting, so if you want these emojis right now, check out our guide on installing them. Or, if you're ready to take the plunge with your Nexus device, then you can install Android N right now.

What Else Is New?

Vulkan is a new 3D rendering API that lowers CPU requirements, allowing draw-call heavy apps to perform faster and more efficiently.
Launcher Shortcuts will let you perform specific app functions more easily. For instance, you can set a shortcut to instantly give you directions home when you open a navigation app.
API Changes, like letting you specify a minimum window size for multi-screen apps.
As always, there are also lots of bug fixes.

And More Cool Changes!

New folder icons:

Mobile app icons on an Android home screen.

New icon for empty recent items list:

Android Police

Separate lock and home screen wallpapers:

Wallpaper settings menu options for home screen and lock screen.

bricklestick/Reddit

Calculator quick settings shortcut:

Smartphone status menu showing time, date, and settings options.

Android Police

Quick replies form lock screen:

Lock screen notification settings options.

TriguyRN/Reddit

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The next big software update for iPhone is coming sometime in April and will include a Food section in Apple News+, an easy-to-miss new Ambient Music app, Priority Notifications thanks to Apple Intelligence, and updates to apps like Mail, Photos, Podcasts, and Safari. See what else is coming to your iPhone with the iOS 18.4 update.