iOS 14.2 and iPadOS 14.2 out with new emoji, wallpapers and bug fixes

Apple has officially begun seeding its iOS 14.2 and iPadOS 14.2 updates for compatible iPhones and iPads. The update aims to iron out bugs from the previous releases while also adding over 100 new emoji, 8 new wallpapers and support for Intercom on HomePod.

New emoji in iOS and iPadOS 14.2

HomePod’s Intercom feature allows households to send out voice messages recorded on their iPhone or iPad to connected HomePod speakers. You can also send out voice messages from your Apple Watch, AirPods and even from CarPlay.

Apple is also bringing plenty of bug fixes across the Camera, Photos, Voice memos and Weather apps. The AirPlay menu also received a redesign. Users on the latest iPad Air now get Scene Detection in the Camera app as well as Auto FPS for improved low light capture and file size management.

Alongside the iPhone and iPad updates, Apple also released watchOS 7.1 for Apple Watch which brings support for HomePod Intercom, headphone audio warnings and unlocks the native ECG app in South Korea and Russia.

iOS 14.2 update changelog:

• 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.

iPadOS 14.2 update changelog:

• 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 iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th generation) and iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd generation).
• Scene Detection in Camera uses intelligent image recognition to identify objects within a scene and automatically improves the photo on iPad Air (4th generation).
• Auto FPS in Camera automatically reduces the frame rate when recording video to improve low light capture and to optimize file size on iPad Air (4th generation).
• Optimized battery charging for AirPods to slow the rate of battery aging by reducing the time your AirPods spends fully charged.
• 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.