SoftBank, a Japanese wireless carrier, created the first known emoji set in 1997. When Apple launched its iOS 2.2 in November 2008, it had to create its own emoji so any emoji sent from SoftBank ...

Interestingly, Apple’s sneaker emoji is actually based on the New Balance 574, albeit with some subtle changes (including to the logo), but the similarities to Jobs’ chosen footwear are striking.

A yellow ribbon, the symbol of last year’s pro-democracy Occupy protests, is among a new set of emojis being released in Apple’s latest iOS software update. The ribbon, which can be sent in ...