Facebook Messenger just rolled out 1500 new emoji

The pack adds new designs that are gender-agnostic, and many icons – from thumbs up to peace signs – will be available in a wide variety of skin tones. Facebook hopes that this will create a more “balanced mix that’s more representative of our world.” You can even set a default skin tone for your emoji, which will prevent you from having to hunt through a field of similar-looking icons looking for just the right tone every time you send one.

Racial and gender equality aren’t the only targets this update aims to hit. Remember that little narrow rectangle with the X in it that you see all the time? Irritated by seeing a mix of standard emoji and Android-specific pudding head emoji? No more! As their post on Facebook reads:

ONE EMOJI STANDARD FOR THE MESSENGER WORLD: Messenger is addressing emoji woes by rolling out a new set of standardized emojis so you can be sure you’re sending the right message. No matter what emoji you pick, it will now look the same for all Messenger users, regardless if the recipient is on Android, iOS or another platform. In other words, no more broken-looking black boxes or emojis that just don’t make sense. Our characters are consistent every time you use them, no matter what platform the recipient is on.

With this standardized platform, now users of all operating systems and devices will be able to see the actual emoji that the sender intended. This means less straining to interpret meaning and more casual, colorful conversation.

What do you think of Facebook Messenger’s standardization of images and the new boatload of emoji? Give us your opinion in the comments below!