Tech Time

The best new emoji for real life: That middle finger is just a good start

A picture is worth a thousand words. Why text someone with words when you can answer someone with just a visual symbol? Yes an emoji.

The Unicode Consortium, a nonprofit that regulates the coding standards for written computer text that includes emoji, is adding approximately 250 new emoji.

But what's relevant for Texas life? Here are the top five:

1. The middle finger: The emoji that everyone has been waiting for. Whether you're mad at your friend for not including you in this weekend's plans or you're angry at your boss, this emoji is a necessary addition.

2. Building construction: Everywhere you look Houston is building and expanding. Whether you're angry about the traffic-jam-creating construction on the highway or can't stand the drilling going on next door as a new home is built, this emoji is perfect for detailing the frustration.

3. Upwards and Downwards Rocket: Space Center Houston is one of the many attractions that Houston has to offer. Whether you're describing space or Houston's NBA team, this emoji just fits Houston life.

4. A thermometer: We all can attest that Houston is hot. When temperature reaches the upper 90s, this emoji sizzles.

5. Shopping bags: The Galleria is one of the biggest shopping centers in Americas and plenty of Houstonians pay worship. This emoji will allow you to express your inner shopaholic.

Here is a complete list of the new emojis.

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accessibility brings empowerment

Autonomous cab company cruises into Houston with wheelchair-accessible rides

Courtesy of Cruise

The six month program is available is more than 90 Houston-area ZIP codes.

A California company with autonomous cabs has announced a new pilot program in partnership with a provider of wheelchairs and mobility solutions.

Cruise has teamed up with Numotion for a six-month wheelchair-accessible vehicle (WAV) pilot program in Houston, offering free transportation for qualifying Numotion customers, according to the companies. The program will operate in over 90 Houston-area ZIP codes.

“Numotion is excited to partner with Cruise to offer a seamless and convenient solution for wheelchair users in the Houston area. By providing transportation to and from repair appointments, we're alleviating a significant stressor and providing a way for our customers to receive their service and repair faster,” says Mike Swinford, CEO of Numotion, in a news release. “We're constantly striving to innovate and improve the lives of our customers, and this collaboration demonstrates our ongoing commitment to providing beneficial customer experiences."

Cruise entered the Texas market last year, with Houston services launching in October 2023 before the company put all operations on pause following a California crash. This is the first Texas announcement for Cruise since the pause.

"Accessibility is core to our mission at Cruise. This pilot program with Numotion is doing more than providing accessible rides – it’s about empowering people in the community with greater mobility and independence, while also building learnings to better our service in the future," says Craig Glidden, president and chief administrative officer at Cruise about the new pilot.

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The story originally was published on our sister site, InnovationMap.