Roll your own emoji

How to use Apple’s upgraded Genmoji tool.

Author

Leander Kahney
August 27, 2025

In partnership with

Gotta admit, I’ve no clue what many emoji mean.

It can be kinda fun, though, trying to decode an inscrutable string of hieroglyphics in text messages from my kids.

Things are about to get even more confusing with the release of iOS 26, now only weeks away, thanks to an expansion of Genmoji, Apple’s AI-driven custom emoji tool.

Ever wished your favorite two emoji could have kids? Well, now they can. The new Genmoji feature lets you mash up two (or more) emojis and watch Apple’s custom emoji tool spit out a brand-new creation.

It’s playful, weird and way more addictive than it should be — and it works on Mac and iPad, too.

Also in today’s newsletter:

  • Wait a second — maybe Apple’s “Awe dropping” event logo does contain product clues after all.

  • This is interesting: For the first time, Apple Music Radio will be available outside the Apple Music app. Starting Wednesday, its six curated stations will stream on TuneIn to the platform’s 75 million monthly listeners. Apple’s trying to better compete with Spotify, which is eating Apple Music’s lunch. I’m not sure this will tip the scales, though. I had high hopes for Apple Music Radio when it launched, but I haven’t listened to it for years. Every time I tune in, it sucks!

  • If I didn’t already have a MacBook Air, I’d be really tempted by this deal that drops the fab 15-inch model to less than $1,000. And if I didn’t already have an iPad, this lowest-ever price on the new iPad Air would be oh-so-tempting, too.

  • I never play games on iPhone, so it makes no sense that I’m weirdly attracted to this new clip-on iPhone game controller, which costs less than $50. I’m harboring some fantasy that maybe it would help me get into iPhone gaming (which I’ve heard is fun!).

  • These two new Find My-compatible trackers look really good. They offer rechargeable batteries and pretty crazy 400-foot range. The colors are fun, too.

  • I’m old enough to remember the brouhaha that erupted after Steve Jobs changed the rainbow Apple logo to a monochrome one, which, of course, turned out pretty great. Here’s a fascinating look at how the Apple logo has evolved over the years.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

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Combine emoji to make your own fun creations in iOS 26

The best Apple Intelligence feature gets even more fun: You can combine two or more emoji into your own custom creation in iOS 26.

Colorful event logo might hint at new iPhone or Apple Watch features

Discover what the hint in Apple’s event invitation graphic might reveal about new iPhone or Apple Watch features.

Apple partners with TuneIn to stream radio stations to 75 million users

In an effort to regain ground in the music streaming wars, Apple partners with TuneIn to stream radio stations.

A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team

MacBook Air deals save you a sweet $200

The M4 MacBook Air launched in March, but a deal already lowers the cost by a sweet $200. That puts the 15-inch variant at less than $1,000!

New rechargeable Chipolo Loop and Card trackers use Find My

Chipolo upgrades its Loop and Card trackers with rechargeable batteries and twice the range.

Inexpensive iPhone game controller also connects to Switch and PC

Enjoy seamless gameplay with the GameSir X5s. Compatible with iPhone, PC, Switch and more, it offers premium features at a low cost.

A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team

M3 iPad Air deal lowers tablet back to its lowest-ever price

Save a whopping $150 on the 2025 M3 iPad Air with a deal on both 13-inch and 11-inch versions in a range of specs and colors.

Score a lifetime license to Microsoft Office 2021 for Mac for just $60

Get a Microsoft Office for Mac lifetime license (2021 Home and Business edition), with essential productivity apps Word, Excel and more.

‘Ted Lasso' tough guy Roy Kent softens up for love in ‘All of You’ [Apple TV+ trailer]

The trailer for "All of You" -- an upcoming movie from "Ted Lasso" and "Black Mirror" alums -- blends technology, romance and Brett Goldstein.

Today in Apple history: Rainbow Apple logo gets a modern overhaul

On August 27, 1999, Apple Computer replaced its rainbow logo with a single-color version. See the evolution of the Apple logo.

Tweets of the day

Wallpaper of the day

One more thing ...

❝

In my opinion, the way to make your machines unique is with unique software.

— Steve Jobs, 1991.

Today’s poll

Do you listen to Apple Music Radio? If so, what's the best show?

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Results from yesterday’s poll: What are you most excited about seeing at Apple's event?

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