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Apple Finally Puts An End To Emoji Enablers, Get 'Em While They're Still Available

Submitted by Michael Johnston on February 27, 2009 - 12:45am.
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Yesterday we received word from the developer of Miscalculator [App Store] that an update to the application had been rejected from the App Store due to its inclusion of Emoji enabling code. After the enabler was removed, Apple approved the application.

Earlier this evening we received word from the developer of Typing Genius [App Store] who has word from Apple that they're officially banning Emoji enablers in the App Store.

According to Gary Fung (Typing Genius' developer) Apple will be removing all traces of Emoji from the App Store starting today. All new applications which include enablers will be rejected in the review process (as it was with Miscalculator, and applications which provided nothing but Emoji support have already been pulled. Applications which provide additional functionality, such as Typing Genius, are now required to provide an update to Apple which does not include the Emoji code.

Those who enabled Emoji using an App Store app won't lose it once the changes in the store take effect. Additionally, Typing Genius won't disable them in future versions. We can't speak for developers of other apps, but we're guessing the same will apply.

If you haven't already enabled Emoji, now is the time. There's no hacking involved, just a simple app purchase. At its current version (1.1.1) Typing Genius [App Store] will get the job done. Check out our tip on how to enable Emoji for the specifics.

Emoji is the Japanese term for emoticons which are represented by small images written in-line with text. Apple enabled them in the 2.2 software update due to an incredible need for them in Japan. However, they are not enabled by default in any other country.

Awww!

Submitted by Kuma on February 27, 2009 - 1:51am.
That's a shame!

Apple is onto something here... they could easily bring emoji to the world... why would they try and kill it?

not like it is harming anyone.

Submitted by fozzieb on February 27, 2009 - 3:08am.
I love Apple but i've had just about enough of this crap. What difference does it make if it enables emoji or not.

Come on Apple, with the palm on it's way and new android phones now is not the time to piss people off.

I think it is more the concept.

Submitted by grady15 on February 27, 2009 - 10:10am.
I dont think emoji is really hurting anyone but the fact that an application can enable/disable something the the operating system is probably not very good. I was never much of a fan of emoji just because all of my friends without iphones just got squares/dots when i tried to send them emoji, so for me it was not very useful. lol

Submitted by agent6998 on February 27, 2009 - 11:32am.
So maybe apple DOES want people to jailbreak their iPhones?

Submitted by HackThatPhone on February 27, 2009 - 2:37pm.
One more reason to support Cydia over the App Store. You can get a free Emoji enabler if you are jailbroken.

Palm Pre

Submitted by ksh3 on March 1, 2009 - 11:07am.
I am so fed up with Apple killing everything or not providing what customers want (copy and paste). I love my iPhone for now, but I really hope that the Palm Pre is everything I want in a phone. I will drop the iPhone like it has the plague. Keep it up Apple.....way to push your customers away!

Submitted by Wanderer59 on March 2, 2009 - 1:14pm.
I do not see what the big deal is in allowing Iphone users to enable the Emoji.
I think Apple is losing site of their customers, and is starting to act more and more like another computer software company, that shall remain nameless.
Come on Apple WAKE UP!!

Trouble

Submitted by iWorldness on March 19, 2009 - 7:10pm.
Apple seems to be getting worse about things every day! I mean, there doing all this just to disable emoji enablers! That's cold-hearted and ridiculous! All I wanted was to be able to send the funny little icons they ENABLE in japan! Why should the Japanese be able to use them but us USAers and OTHERers cant! Thats almost Racist! Maybe if they run out of business they will autommaticaly jailbreak all iphones and iPods. Unless AT&T stops that,,,

Not anymore

Submitted by Sdeetz on March 25, 2009 - 10:28am.
Apparently Apple changed their mind.

It's now March 25tj and there are still tons of emoji apps in the app store.

I just downloaded iemoji today for free and it enabled all the emoji icons in a snap.

Submitted by dadditude on March 27, 2009 - 5:32am.
I believe the reason behind this move on Apple's part is that in the 3.0 update, emoji is available without hacks/jailbreaks (or at least it was in the beta that I used for a while before switching back to 2.2.1).