Microsoft releases keyboards dedicated to emoji and Office

Microsoft has created two new keyboards with keys dedicated to Office and emoji, merging work and play. Innovating in the PC peripheral sphere — let alone with keyboards — isn’t the most obvious exercise to carry out, but it’s possible.

Microsoft demonstrates this with two new models: one Bluetooth-connected and the other wired traditionally, featuring two new function keys.

Just like the Start Menu-launching Windows key, the Office and emoji keys are shortcuts sure to save office workers precious time. Deftly pressing Office+W will launch Word (and so on for Excel, PowerPoint).

While its neighboring emoji key, located one space further right of the keyboard, pops up a menu with an array of icons, as with social networks.

Of course, other keyboard manufacturers are not bound to take up the concept, unless they so desire, opening the door to the idea of a new standard.

Available exclusively in the U.S. for the time being, the Microsoft Bluetooth Keyboard and the Ergonomic Keyboard retail for $49.99 (over P2,500) and $59.99 (almost P3,100) respectively. CL/NVG

source: technology.inquirer.net

Apple releases new emoji in iOS 8.3 update

Apple's iPhones and iPads will soon get more diverse emoji along with other performance updates with the release of iOS 8.3, the latest update to the mobile operating system.

In a change log, Apple said iOS 8.3 also includes bug fixes and a redesigned Emoji keyboard.

There are "over 300 new (emoji) characters," it said. Other changes include:


    improved app responsiveness
    better support for third-party keyboards
    simplified Chinese keyboard


The update also fixes an issue where a user could be continuously prompted for login credentials.

It likewise addresses an issue where some devices disconnect intermittently from Wi-Fi networks.

Also fixed in iOS 8.3 are issues where hands-free phone calls could become disconnected and where audio playback could stop working with some Bluetooth speakers

Apple also included in iOS 8.3 fixes to CarPlay and Enterprise.

Testing emoji

But tech site Mashable noted some of the new emoji may not translate well when sent to someone using iOS 8.2.

"For example, sending a granny emoji with tan skin from iOS 8.3 results in a standard pink emoji granny face and an alien emoji. The same thing happened when we tried darker-skinned versions of the baby and nose emoji," Mashable said. — Joel Locsin/TJD, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

Google Chrome to support emojis on OS X soon

 

Mac users, rejoice! Emoji support is soon coming to Google's Chrome browser for the OS X platform.

 

A report on The Next Web said Google has fixed a years-old bug in Chrome that prevented emojis from displaying on Apple computers.

 

"Emoji support has landed in the latest developer builds of Chrome for OS X, meaning that emoji can be seen on websites and be entered into text fields for the first time without issues," it said.

 

The Next Web said the bug was fixed as early as Dec. 11, and was tested recently in Canary, Chrome's early testing channel.

 

Canary, however, may not be for everyone as its experimental features could render it unstable for everyday use.

 

"From there, we can expect it to move to the consumer version of Chrome in coming weeks," TNW said.

 

Emoji could already be displayed on Safari, OS X's built-in browser. — Joel Locsin/TJD, GMA News

 

source: gmanetwork.com