Emojigate Scandal: Windows 11’s Promise of 3D Emoji Falls Flat
Andrew Heinzman
Review GeekIs this the straw that broke the camel’s back? As Microsoft’s Windows 11 release continues to fall short of fans’ expectations, a new scandal is sending the internet into a rabid fury. That’s right—Microsoft lied about its Windows 11 emoji, and now we’re knee-deep in Emojigate.
When Microsoft first announced Windows 11, it promised something called “fluent emoji.” These 3D-rendered smiley faces look incredible, and they were supposed to replace the flat, boring emoji used in previous Windows releases.
But to our horror, Microsoft’s latest Windows 11 Insider build contains a new set of 2D emoji instead of the 3D “fluent emoji” that we were promised. Is this a mistake?
No, it’s not a mistake. Brandon LeBlanc, Senior Program Manager of the Windows Insider team, now confirms that Microsoft is sticking with the 2D emoji. That’s kind of odd, given that the Windows UK Twitter account showed off the 3D emoji just a few weeks ago. (LeBlanc claims that whoever wrote this tweet simply used the wrong graphics … sure.)
So what should we do? Is it time to abandon Windows and find an operating system that respects our need for beautiful emoji? Should we burn our PCs in a giant bonfire? Throw rotten vegetables at Bill Gates? Maybe … but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
It seems that Microsoft’s own employees are a bit confused about the whole fluent emoji thing. Nearly 22 hours after breaking Windows users’ hearts, LeBlanc clarified that “I don’t have anything more to share on where the 3D versions of the emoji will appear,” and that his initial Twitter comments only apply to the latest Windows 11 Insider build.
Does that mean we’re getting 3D emoji in the future? I have no idea, and neither do you. All we know is that until Microsoft provides some clear answers, the Emojigate scandal will not end. Fans will continue to demand what they were promised—gorgeous, wonderful 3D emoji.
Source: /r/windows11, Brandon LeBlanc
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