Apple Releases iOS 14.2 & iPadOS 14.2; Bringing Many Bug Fixes for VoiceOver
& Braille Users
Apple has today released iOS 14.2 and iPadOS 14.2 to the public. In addition
to bringing fixes for a large number of
<https://www.applevis.com/blog/accessibility-bugs-introduced-and-resolved-io
s-14-and-ipados-14-blind-and-low-vision-users> the bugs that iOS 14.0 and
iPadOS 14.0 introduced for VoiceOver and braille users, these releases add
the
<https://www.applevis.com/blog/apple-adding-customizable-people-detection-ca
pability-lidar-equipped-iphones-and-ipad-pro> previously reported new People
Detection feature to the Magnifier app on devices with the LiDAR Scanner.
Bug Fixes
Our testing suggests that the following pre-existing accessibility bugs have
been resolved in iOS 14.2 and iPadOS 14.2:
*
<https://www.applevis.com/bugs/ios/detected-text-feature-thats-part-voiceove
r-recognition-features-does-not-work-braille> The Detected Text feature
that's part of the VoiceOver Recognition features now works with braille
displays.
*
<https://www.applevis.com/bugs/ios/radio-tab-native-music-app-not-fully-acce
ssible-voiceover> The Radio tab in the native Music app is now fully
accessible.
*
<https://www.applevis.com/bugs/ios/voiceover-actions-menu-rotor-does-not-con
sistently-appear-widgets> The VoiceOver rotor's Actions menu is now
consistently available on Widgets.
*
<https://www.applevis.com/bugs/ios/using-voiceover-rotor-rearrange-widgets-c
an-be-inconsistent-and-unreliable> Apple has resolved some issues with using
the VoiceOver rotor to arrange Widgets.
*
<https://www.applevis.com/bugs/ios/occasions-pressing-vospace-external-keybo
ard-will-trigger-context-menu-rather-activate> Pressing VO+Space on an
external keyboard will no longer on occasions trigger the Context Menu
rather than activate the item VoiceOver focus is on.
*
<https://www.applevis.com/bugs/ios/ability-scroll-screen-and-down-missing-so
me-occasions-today-screen> Scrolling the Today View when necessary is now
more reliable.
*
<https://www.applevis.com/bugs/ios/voiceover-braille-screen-input-practice-d
oes-not-work> You can once again practice Braille Screen input in the
practice area of the Accessibility settings.
*
<https://www.applevis.com/bugs/ios/audio-destination-incorrectly-appears-rot
or-apple-airpods> Audio Destination no longer incorrectly appears in the
VoiceOver rotor when using Apple AirPods.
*
<https://www.applevis.com/bugs/ios/incorrect-behaviour-audio-destination-rot
or-menu-if-used-when-voiceover-focus-ui-element> The Audio Destination Rotor
menu now behaves as expected if used when VoiceOver focus is on a UI element
that has Action menu items available.
*
<https://www.applevis.com/bugs/ios/ios-14-translate-application-voiceover-ro
tor-actions-dragging-item-do-not-work> It is now possible to use the drag
options from the VoiceOver rotor in the Translate app.
*
<https://www.applevis.com/bugs/ios/voiceover-announces-new-line-when-announc
ing-language-multiple-variants-translate> VoiceOver no longer says new
line When announcing a language with multiple variants in the Translate
app.
*
<https://www.applevis.com/bugs/ios/voiceover-encounters-unlabelled-element-w
hen-navigating-listen-screen-translate> VoiceOver no longer encounters an
unlabelled element when navigating in the listen screen of the Translate
app.
*
<https://www.applevis.com/bugs/ios/voiceover-may-not-announce-control-center
-when-control-center-opened> VoiceOver once again consistently announces
Control Center when the Control Center is opened.
*
<https://www.applevis.com/bugs/ios/iphone-or-ipod-touch-and-last-page-home-s
creen-folder-performing-three-finger-swipe-left> When in the last page of a
Home screen folder on iOS, performing a three-finger swipe to the left will
no longer wrongly load the App Library.
At the time of posting, we are unaware of any new bugs or regressions for
blind and low vision users in these releases.
As we always stress, we can make no claims on the completeness or accuracy
of our testing. We are only a small team, and it is simply impossible for us
to test all devices, configurations, applications, and use cases.
General Changes in iOS 14.2 and iPadOS 14.2
iOS 14.2 and iPadOS 14.2 introduce a number of new emoji. These include
smiling face with tear, ninja, pinched fingers, anatomical heart, black cat,
mammoth, polar bear, dodo, fly, bell pepper, tamale, bubble tea, potted
plant, piñata, plunger, wand, feather, hut, and more.
MacRumors has
<https://www.macrumors.com/2020/09/29/ios-14-2-beta-new-emoji-characters/>
the full list of new emoji here.
Elsewhere in these releases, there's a new Shazam Music Recognition control
for the Control Center and new designs for the Control Center's Now Playing
widget and the AirPlay interface.
Release Notes
The release notes for iOS 14.2 are as follows:
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
This release also fixes the following issues:
* Apps could be out of order on the Home Screen dock
* Camera viewfinder may appear black when launched
* The keyboard on the Lock Screen could miss touches when trying to
enter the passcode
* Reminders could default to times in the past
* Photos widget may not display content
* Weather widget could display the high temperature in Celsius when
set to Fahrenheit
* Next-hour precipitation chart description in Weather could
incorrectly indicate when precipitation stops
* Voice Memos recordings are interrupted by incoming calls
* The screen could be black during Netflix video playback
* Apple Cash could fail to send or receive money when asked via Siri
* Apple Watch app may unexpectedly close when opened
* Workout GPS routes or Health data are prevented from syncing between
Apple Watch and iPhone for some users
* Audio is incorrectly labeled as "Not Playing in the CarPlay
Dashboard
* Devices could be prevented from charging wirelessly
* Exposure Notifications is disabled when restoring iPhone from iCloud
Backup or transferring data to a new iPhone using iPhone Migration
How to update
iOS 14.2 and iPadOS 14.2 are available via Over-the-Air Update (Settings >
General > Software Update) via Finder on a Mac with macOS Catalina or later,
or via iTunes on a PC or Mac with macOS Mojave or earlier.
Before updating, we strongly recommend making a full and complete backup of
your device (either locally or in iCloud, depending on personal preference).
This will ensure that, in the unlikely event that something goes wrong
during the update process, you will have a current backup on hand in case a
device restore becomes necessary. Also, if using OTA update, we recommend
plugging your device into a power source for the duration of the
download/installation process, so as to prevent the unlikely event of your
battery going dead during the update.
More information on how to update the software on your device is available
on <https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204204> this Apple Support page.
Apple Releases watchOS 7.1, tvOS 14.2, & New 14.2 Software for HomePod
Alongside the release of
<https://www.applevis.com/blog/apple-releases-ios-142-and-ipados-142-bringin
g-many-bug-fixes-voiceover-and-braille-users> iOS 14.2 and iPadOS 14.2,
Apple has today released watchOS 7.1 and tvOS 14.2 to the public.
In watchOS 7.1, our testing indicates that Apple has resolved an issue which
saw the 2-finger 'Magic Tap' gesture not work to answer a phone call. Now,
to answer an incoming phone call, VoiceOver users can tap the screen and
then perform the two-finger double-tap gesture to answer the call.
Aside from the aforementioned improvement, we are not aware of any other
changes for blind and low vision users in watchOS 7.1 and tvOS 14.2;
however, as we always stress in these posts, we are a small team and it is
impossible for us to test all configurations, apps, and use cases.
Release Notes
watchOS 7.1
The release notes for watchOS 7.1 are as follows:
watchOS 7.1 contains new features, improvements, and bug fixes.
* Adds the ability to be notified when your headphone audio level
could impact your hearing
* Adds support for the ECG app on Apple Watch Series 4 or later in the
Republic of Korea and Russia
* Adds support for irregular heart rhythm notifications in the
Republic of Korea and Russia
* Resolves an issue that prevented some users from unlocking Mac with
Apple Watch
* Fixes an issue where the screen may be dark on wrist raise for some
Apple Watch Series 6 users
14.2 Software for HomePod
The release notes for Software Version 14.2 for HomePod, shared by
<https://www.macrumors.com/2020/11/05/apple-releases-homepod-14-2-software/>
Mac Rumors are as follows:
Software version 14.2 includes support for new Siri, Intercom, and Home
Theater features. This update also includes bug fixes and improvements.
* Ask Siri "What's my update?" to hear a personal snapshot of your day
that includes the news, weather, traffic, reminders, and calendar
appointments.
* Intercom using iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods, and CarPlay.
*Connect HomePod to Apple TV 4K and enjoy stereo, surround sound, and Dolby
Atmos audio. Add a second HomePod for a more immersive soundstage.
tvOS 14.2
Apple does not routinely make available release notes for tvOS releases.
How to Update
watchOS 7.1 is available by going to the Watch app on your iPhone and
navigating to General> Software Update. To install the update, your Watch
must be connected to its charger and have at least 50% battery power.
More information on how to update the software on your Apple Watch is
available on <https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204641> this Apple Support
page.
To install tvOS 14.2 on Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD, go to the Settings
channel, then look for the System section near the bottom. From here, look
for Software Updates under Maintenance, then select Update Software and
Download and Install.
More information on how to update the software on your Apple TV is available
on <https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT202716> this Apple Support page.
Submitted by AppleVis Editorial Team.
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