[ad_1]
Apple iOS 14.2 is here and it’s packed with fixes, new features, and 100+ new emoji. But after the troubled version of iOS 14.1, does iOS 14.2 get Apple back on track? Here is everything you need to know.
Tip: Bookmark this page because I’ll keep it updated if / when new issues are found. I will give my final verdict in a week.
Apple iOS 14
For whom?
Apple iOS 14.2 is available for all iOS 13 compatible devices. That means the newest, seventh-generation iPhone 6S and iPod touch. You should receive an update notification automatically, but otherwise you can activate the update manually by navigating to Settings> General> Software update. Beta testers, if you are running a later version of iOS 14 when you read this (see ‘The way forward’ section at the end), you need to unenroll your iPhone before iOS 14.2 appears.
IPad owners, Apple has moved it to iPadOS. This is not an iPadOS-centric guide, but I will address pertinent issues in these guides.
The Deal Breakers
At the time of writing this article, jailbreakers should stay away from this new version of iOS. Unc0ver remains stuck on iOS 13.5 while checkra1n is jailbroken from iOS 14 (not iOS 14.2), but is restricted to Apple devices running A9 (X) chipsets and earlier.
Following the issues with iOS 14.1, it appears that iOS 14.2 is off to a much better start. It is not free from errors. I see isolated reports of problems with WiFi stability, on going Health errors and a vibration error – but no pattern of widespread problems. Even Reddit is quiet.
So what do you get?
Apple lists the following iOS 14.2 updates:
- Over 100 new emoji, including animals, food, faces, household objects, musical instruments, gender-inclusive emoji, and more
- Eight new wallpapers in light and dark mode versions
- The magnifying glass can detect nearby people and report their distance using the LiDAR sensor included in the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max
- IPhone 12 Leather Case Holder with MagSafe
- Optimized battery charging for AirPods to reduce the rate of battery aging by reducing the time your AirPods spend fully charged
- Headphone audio level notifications to alert you when the audio level may affect 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 on exposure notifications, without identifying it, to participating public health authorities
The many new emoji are the headline here, but the AirPlay control improvements, AirPods battery optimization, and improved exposure notifications are bigger updates. While the ability to now connect the HomePod to Apple TV for premium audio is great news.
iOS 14.2 also contains a large number of fixes for the following issues:
- Applications may not work at the base of the home screen
- Camera viewfinder may appear black when started
- The keypad on the lock screen may lose touches when trying to enter the passcode
- Reminders may appear by default in times past
- Photo widget may not display content
- Weather widget could show high temperature in Celsius when set to Fahrenheit
- The description of the next hour precipitation graph in Weather could incorrectly indicate when the precipitation stops
- Voice memo recordings are interrupted by incoming calls
- The screen may be black while playing Netflix videos
- Apple Cash may not send or receive money when asked via Siri
- The Apple Watch app may quit unexpectedly when opened
- Some users are unable to sync GPS training routes or health data between Apple Watch and iPhone
- Audio is incorrectly labeled “Won’t Play” in the CarPlay panel
- It could prevent devices from charging wirelessly
- Exposure notifications are disabled when restoring iPhone from iCloud Backup or transferring data to a new iPhone using iPhone migration
The oddity here is that the high-profile issues when resetting mail and browser defaults (reintroduced by iOS 14.1) are not mentioned here. With that said, I am hopeful for an unlisted solution as the complaints about this issue have apparently disappeared since iOS 14.2 was released.
Lastly, Apple’s official security page lists 24 security patches included with iOS 14.2, including fixes for browser, keyboard, and audio vulnerabilities. Crucially, three patches address exploits for vulnerabilities that Apple acknowledges were in the wild and therefore a tangible threat.
Apple iOS 14.2 Verdict: Good Looking
As always with my 24 hour hot shots, there is still time for issues to be discovered, given that only a small percentage of users have updated at this stage. That said, from the get-go, iOS 14.2 looks like one of the most stable iOS updates in some time. It’s also packed with new features, emoji, and some major security updates.
Cautious updaters should await my final verdict, which I deliver a week after launch, but eager updaters will be delighted to know that there are no obvious roadblocks at this point.
The road ahead
At the time of publication, Apple has yet to release the next version of iOS 14 for beta testers. This is somewhat unusual, given the regular overlap in recent years. The likelihood of an iOS 14.2.1 update will depend on whether iOS 14.2 fixed the default mail / browser bug (as it was not listed in the release notes); otherwise Apple may have a clear route to go straight to iOS 14.3.
___
Follow Gordon on Facebook
More about Forbes
1 TB iPhone 13 spiked, doubles the storage of iPhone 11 Pro
Huge real-world iPhone 12 Pro performance gains revealed
[ad_2]
