Today Apple released iOS 14.2 and iPad OS 14.2. As usual, the point two release gets a ton of new Emoji. I’m sure there is a good reason for holding the new Emoji for the point two updates, but it also is a way to ensure that everyone downloads it. Emojipedia breaks them all down. This year’s release, in particular, helps me personally settle a dispute with my children.*

Additional features include some new wallpapers, updated lock screen controls, and the ability to add a Shazam button to the Control Center.

Notable this year is that this update does not have to deal with as many bugs as it did last year. iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 are more stable than last year.

Looking forward, I would love to see Apple add better widget support to the iPadOS at some point in a future 14.X update. The world loves widgets, and the iPad needs the ability to put them anywhere, not just the left side. A nerd can dream.

* As a Californian, I have to acknowledge the inclusion of this sandal in the 2020 new Emoji. I grew up wearing them, and we always called them “thongs” or “flip flops”. My children inform me (frequently) that while the term “flip flops” can still work (though it dates me), the term “thongs” is very much not acceptable and embarrassing to them. So I call them “thongs.” Apparently, I’m not alone because the official name of this new Emoji, as handed down from the Emoji standards commitee is “Thong Sandal”. I look forward to sharing this with my children. (Also, if you really want a pair of Californian-approved “thong sandals” I recommend Rainbows.)