Apple announces iOS and iPadOS version 14.2 today, which brings many new features and over 100 of new emoji's for iPhone and iPad users.
The iOS 14.2 new update also brings new features to Apple products including the new Intercom feature for HomePod smart speakers that Apple announced alongside the Apple HomePod Mini last month.
There are a lot of improvements and big fixes in the iOS updates while watchOS 7.1 brings ECG functionality to additional regions, along with other features. The HomePod update brings enhanced home theatre support along with various bug fixes.
The company has fixed several bugs relating to issues with the Home Screen dock, camera viewfinder (screen going black on launch), the lock screen keyboard, photos widget, voice memos, Netflix video playback, wireless charging, and more.
iOS 14.2 includes the following improvements for your iPhone:
- Over 100 new emoji, including animals, food, faces, household objects, musical instruments, gender-inclusive emoji, and more.
- Eight new wallpapers in both light and dark mode versions.
- Magnifier can detect people nearby, and report their distance using the LiDAR sensor included in iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max.
- Support for iPhone 12 Leather Sleeve with MagSafe.
- Optimized battery charging for AirPods to slow the rate of battery aging by reducing the time your AirPods spends fully charged.
- Headphone audio level notifications to alert you when audio level could impact your hearing.
- New AirPlay controls to stream entertainment throughout your home.
- Intercom support with HomePod and HomePod mini using iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods, and CarPlay.
- Ability to connect HomePod to Apple TV 4K for stereo, surround sound, and Dolby Atmos audio.
- Option to provide statistics about Exposure Notifications, without identifying you, to participating Public Health Authorities.
The iOS 14.2 update is already rolling out for iPhone users. In order to update their iPhones, users need to go to Settings > General > Software Update > Download and Install on their devices in order to get updated to iOS 14.2.