Windows 10 Gets The Finger: Middle Finger Emoji Will Be First In A Major OS

Windows 10 is going to give you the finger. Along with a wide range of other features, like Hello, Edge and Universal Apps, the operating system is including the option to tell others how you really feel with a new middle finger emoji.

According to Emojipedia, Windows 10 is the first major operating system to feature the symbol, even though it was included in the Unicode 7 specification back in mid-2014. However, Unicode 7 was focused on providing compatibility with the Microsoft Webdings font, and implementation has been patchy.

Emojis came to Windows in October 2012. At the time, the implementation was sparse and monochrome. It wasn't until Windows 8.1 that emojis received some color. Windows 10 will expand its emoji color support by bringing skin color choices familiar to iOS users to the platform.

The Unicode Consortium, which governs the specification for emojis, recommends that the default skin color should be nonhuman. Microsoft has opted for a fetching grey for their default tone, while iOS users will remember that Apple decided a bright yellow would be the best approach. Microsoft has also changed some of its existing emojis to better conform to Android and iOS emoji standards.

Use of the emoji is a global phenomenon. On July 17, the world celebrated Emoji Day to commemorate the day written on the emoji calendar. General Electric, Bud Light and Anheuser-Busch all took part in the festivities on Twitter, demonstrating the inescapable impact emojis have had on youth culture.

The specification is expanding day by day. The Unicode Consortium announced last month that they have further expanded the emoji library with Unicode 8. Faces with thermometer, taco, and unicorn are all listed as part of the new standard, but the consortium has already started drafting new emojis for Unicode 9.