I don't understand these text characters...??

[jennconn910]

Hello, Android Smart People.
Is there an app I'm missing for text messaging that will convert these characters I'm receiving to something I can understand? Someone I met recently is sending me messages with undecipherable characters that I know are supposed to be emoticons of some kind, but I have no idea what they're about.
For example: what is "+ge106/" supposed to be??
I'm on the Note 3, sender is using Galaxy S4.
What the **** is this??
Thanks, all!

 

[Slaytor Z]

What version of Android are you running?

4.3 brings emoji support, so if you can upgrade, do it and the problem may be fixed.

 

[jennconn910]

Already running 4.3, sadly. Wish that was the fix....