If you have an iPhone, you probably just got the update to iOS 10. Maybe you’re excited about the new features, like invisible ink or the hidden magnifying glass.
The new emoji seem pretty cool, too.
One of them, though, has some people pretty ticked.
The “gun” emoji is now replaced by a little green water gun—the kind you used in the pool as a kid.
In Apple’s official announcement of updated emoji, the focus is more on gender diversity than any sort of pacifist message. The article threw the green water gun on the bottom left, almost like an afterthought.
Some say this is making a big political statement about violence. Others are just ticked that they can’t send texts like, “ugh 2 hr meeting, shoot me” anymore.
Whatever your opinion is, Twitter has a lot to say.
In fact, @SquirtGunEmoji already has its own handle, if you want to follow it.
Interestingly, nearly ALL of the posts today about the topic were negative. Nobody really seems to like it.
Lots just said it “destroyed the fun” of using a gun emoji. Twitter seems shocked and upset that what apparently is everyone’s favorite emoji is suddenly tame.
Others, however, took a more serious view. Dozens of posts sarcastically called out the new emoji, Apple, or “’Merica” on the change. Some blamed government crackdowns, others the violence inherent in the system…one joked about Harambe and how he would still be alive today…if only they had changed the emoji sooner.
Even the posts that said they liked the new update still called out the water gun for being lame or not as emphatic as the old one. Basically, opinions on Twitter range from “flipping out” to “…seriously?”
Much of the chatter is about censorship, free speech, and gun control. It seems that, at least for now, people think the new water gun is pointless compared to the old one, despite what Apple might really be saying about the meaning of texting conventions and violence.
Off of Twitter, however, opinions are more divided. Supporters of gun control applaud Apple for making the change, and New Yorkers Against Gun Violence is a group that launched a campaign to #DisarmTheiPhone. People who originally supported this hashtag surely are texting for joy with their newfound ability to squirt people via iPhone.
As time goes on, maybe people will re-frame the water gun as a push for peace. Or, maybe it will always represent corporate censorship.
Either way, “pictures speak louder than words,” and emoji are no exception. Given the current political climate, even a tiny emoji becomes a real consideration.
What do you think? Are you going to update?
