Kong Ingress Controller (KIC) 2.2 has been released, introducing the Gateway API as a major new feature, marking a significant advancement in Kubernetes service networking. The Gateway API, managed by the Kubernetes SIG Network community, aims to replace the existing Ingress API with a more robust framework, offering resources like GatewayClass, Gateway, and HTTPRoute, which enhance traffic control through features such as true Layer 4 support and advanced routing capabilities. This release signifies a paradigm shift, allowing Kubernetes users to manage ingress traffic configurations using standard tools like kubectl, instead of relying on command-line flags or environment variables. KIC 2.2 enables detailed routing customizations for Layer 7 traffic, with future updates expected to expand its functionality further, although the API and its implementation remain in an alpha state and subject to change.