11th April 2016, 8:09 PM
The ASCII standard named them themselves, to make it clear that these smilies are actually their own "letters", not just a substitute deal. I admit I'm not particularly fond of the word, but at least it defines what it is in relation to regular smilies.
It's not only used on cell phones. The ASCII standard applies universally, which is it's appeal. Anything claiming compliance with the latest ASCII set will also be compliant with emojis. That said, the vast majority of people using emojis are using them on their cell phones simply because the vast majority of messaging is being done via phone. Also, both Google and Apple have made emoji "keyboards" very accessible in their respective messaging applications.
It's not only used on cell phones. The ASCII standard applies universally, which is it's appeal. Anything claiming compliance with the latest ASCII set will also be compliant with emojis. That said, the vast majority of people using emojis are using them on their cell phones simply because the vast majority of messaging is being done via phone. Also, both Google and Apple have made emoji "keyboards" very accessible in their respective messaging applications.
"On two occasions, I have been asked [by members of Parliament], 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?' I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question." ~ Charles Babbage (1791-1871)