I don't see how these emoticons could improve my experience with Whatsapp or another chat/message system.
I mean, we already have like every possible thing to send as a mini image... why should i send some one a big red thumbs up?
But i also have to say, that i am not a friend of emoticons. I like the classic :), but all these different images, i don't know...
I personally think that it is even the opposite, it is too much. Just look at the Facebook Accounts of some people who activated the extra emoji (or what ever they are called), and have like 300 different emoticons.