Android-device owners are benefitting from a slew of updates. Close on the heels of the announcement that Nexus devices running stock Android are set to benefit from new emojis and keyboard next week, comes the news that WhatsApp for Android is poised to receive an update, which will bring a ton of new emojis users' way.
The WhatsApp version 2.12.374 is now available for the Android app from the company's site as well as APK Mirror. This version brings in its folds a slew of emojis that have novel facial expressions along with novel characters.
It is anticipated that WhatsApp will soon begin to push out the updated version to Android users through the Google Play Store.
For those curious about the new emojis the WhatsApp update for Android brings, be ready to be inundated with the popcorn box, shamrock, taco, hot dog, burrito, turkey, unicorn, spider, medals, racing cars, champagne bottle and volleyball to name a few next time you are exchanging messages on the messaging app. The update also brings some LGBT emojis, which will be welcomed by users. There is also a new sign of the horns gesture, which adds to older popular emojis such as the raised middle finger.
The update also brings a detective emoji to the facial expression tab. In the past, WhatsApp for Android only had five emoji tabs apart from the recently used one. In v2.12.374, Android users get eight tabs that have bulb, flag, sports and beverage.
The new emojis added to WhatsApp for Android appear to be from Unicode 8 and Unicode 7 standards, and previously emerged on iOS with the arrival of iOS 9.1.
As we previously reported, Google had confirmed it would be pushing out new emojis as part of the Unicode 8 standard to Android devices. The Nexus range of devices would be the first to benefit - starting next week - with other OEMs to push out the update to their devices in time.
If you're an Android user of WhatsApp and are itching to try out the new emojis, update to version 2.12.374. Remember that the person you are messaging on WhatsApp also needs to be on the same version, or else the emojis will appear as blank boxes.
To install the latest version of WhatsApp, download it from the official WhatsApp website.
