Apparently bowing to an undercurrent of criticism, the latest beta of iOS 12.1 now features an updated bagel emoji intended to look more appealing.
The bagel in iOS 12.1 beta 4 is better textured, and filled with cream cheese, Emojipedia noted. Some people had complained that a previous graphic didn't look especially tasty — one critic, Grub Street's Nikita Richardson, suggested that it looked like it came from a "midwestern bagel factory."
While most iPhone and iPad owners — and most other companies — are unlikely to care, some locales like New York City pride themselves on high-quality bagels.
Apple has changed its emoji in response to public pressure several times in the past. In 2017, for example, it altered its paella emoji to reflect the original Valencia recipe. The company went in an opposite direction in 2016, reverting a realistic peach emoji back to a design that resembles a human posterior.
Earlier this month Apple previewed over 70 new emoji slated for iOS 12.1. A variety of new foods, animals, and sports are included, but the most significant change may be more faces with red, gray, and curly hair, as well as for bald people. Accurate representation can be a contentious issue in emoji design, since omitting specific looks from emoji may feel like being excluded from the conversation.
47 Comments
I am not a cream cheese eater so this bagel looks less appealing to me. HOW IS APPLE GOING TO RECTIFY THIS SITUATION TO PLEASE ME?!?! This must be another change brought about by Angela Arhendts!!
(just kidding. I don’t eat cream cheese but I also don’t care about emojis to the point I would complain)
Now I can finally sleep again. It does look tastier but plain. I prefer sesame seeds and a bit more cream cheese. And toasted on the cut edges. More at mylifeissoshallowicareaboutemojifoodrenderings.com.
I can support this. That bagel looks delicious. Well done, emoji designers. I say that non-ironically.
ATP episode 294:
http://atp.fm/episodes/294
Show notes: "The abomination that is Apple's take on the bagel emoji."
Play from 0:30 for a listen. This episode happened two weeks ago... previous to this update. If you listen you may conclude this conversation in particular influenced Apple here. It’ll be interesting to hear John’s take on Apple’s second effort. His uncanny valley comment was enlightening and spot on:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncanny_valley
When is it that proper netiquette calls for the use of a bagel emoji?
Enquiring minds want to know.