As the second developer preview of the still unnamed Android N rolls out Wednesday, Google has also revealed more details about new features the software will include. In particular, Android N will include updates to the Google emoji keyboard with “a more human-looking design,” Google’s VP of Engineering Dave Burke wrote in a blog post .
The emoji update will be part of Google supporting Emoji Unicode 9 as of Android N, which is the database on which all emoji keyboards are based. With Unicode 9 support, the emoji keyboard on Android N will go from featuring more generic, blob type emojis to emojis that look more like people. The new support will also feature a variety of skin colors as well as several new emojis. Users should expect to see new emojis including bacon, selfie and face palm.
The Android N developer preview 2 also includes support for Vulkan, a 3D rendering API for gaming and shortcuts for launching applications, among other AP changes and bug fixes.
Those interested in testing out Android N before its official release can enroll in Google’s developer program to receive the software wirelessly. Or, users can download the software and install it manually. Currently, devices including the Nexus 6, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus 9, and Pixel C will support Android N.
