Google Creative Director Jennifer Daniel announced on July 17, 2026, the release of Noto 3D, an updated portfolio of 3,977 open-source three-dimensional emoji models.

The company transitioned its entire Noto emoji catalogue into true 3D models available as raw .OBJ files for the public. Data showed shifting user preferences, with the “loudly crying face” and “rolling on the floor laughing” emoji rising in popularity above the “face with tears of joy” emoji.

User studies conducted by the organisation revealed that consumers prefer full-body animals over floating heads and that adding props reduces comprehension.

To improve visibility in dark mode, the team implemented an artificial intelligence-powered contrast tool. The software analyzes emoji at the pixel level to identify low contrast ratios and suggest high-contrast adjustments for darker skin tones.