WordPress 4.2 Released

Newly released WordPress Version 4.2 is all about communicating and sharing information easily. This release, named “Powell” is in honor of jazz pianist Bud Powell.

The features in WordPress 4.2 that are most notable are switching theme in the customizer, streamlined plugin updates and finally Embeds from Tumblr.com and Kickstarter are now supported.

There is an improved “Press This” browser button, improved and extended character support including native Chinese, Japanese and Korean characters, musical and mathematical symbols and hieroglyphs, as well as fun emoji’s.

Compare Your Theme

As many of us know, choosing a theme for your website is a decision not to be taken lightly. Finding the perfect theme that you are happy with takes time and often the theme you download doesn’t resemble the one in the demo site.

Now with WordPress 4.2 you can quickly compare themes at the click of a button, enabling you to switch between themes from within the ‘Customiser’ section. You can make sure the theme looks great with your content, before it debuts on your site.

Easily Update Your Plugins

WordPress 4.2 has streamlined plugin updates ensuring a smooth and simple update. There’s no need to leave the main management page, you can update all of your plugins directly from the Plugin manager

New and Improved ‘Press This’

Sharing a page or a video you have recently visited on the internet, is easier than ever before thanks to the ‘Press This’ tool makeover.

Locate the Tools menu, add ‘Press This’ to your browser bookmark bar or your mobile device home screen. Then, whenever you want to share a webpage click the ‘Press This’, and a stripped back version of the normal text editor will appear in a pop up.

WordPress will automatically pull up the page’s title, image, a short extract and a clickable link to the source. You are then able to edit these details, add your own tags and categories and post it directly to your site. Simples!

Extended Character Support

Are you a fan of emoji’s? 😊  💙, 🐸, 🐒, 🍕

In WordPress 4.2 you have full emoji icon support. Use them in posts, pages and even as part of your website slug!

WordPress 4.2 supports a host of new characters out-of-the-box, including native Chinese, Japanese, and Korean characters, musical and mathematical symbols, and hieroglyphs.

How to Update to WordPress to 4.2

If you are currently running a WordPress site you will have the option to manually update your website from your WordPress Dashboard.

Before you run the WordPress 4.2 upgrade we highly recommend taking a backup of your database and files and checking that the theme and plugins on your site are compatible.

For detailed help with updates, visit the Updating WordPress Codex page or get help by contacting us to arrange your WordPress 4.2 update.