Google's biggest Android problem is also ruining emoji

Want to use that new selfie emoji? How about the facepalm or avocado? If you're on Android, or texting someone who is, there's a good chance those new characters aren't working. 

That's because Google, like Apple, ties emoji updates to its new software releases: update to the latest version of Android, get the newest emoji. It sounds straightforward enough, but there's one glaring problem that's been a major handicap for Google for years.

Unlike Apple, which controls both its hardware and its software, Google relies on dozens of manufacturing partners to create the bulk of its handsets (Google's Nexus and Pixel devices excepted). Those partners also control when their customers get new software and, unfortunately for Google, have a pretty piss-poor record of getting these updates out in a timely manner. Read more...