DevRel 53 includes updates and improvements to Esper’s administrator experience by integrating managed configuration through the Console. The user can now push messages to devices via the Console. Here’s a quick look at what’s new:
- Support for managed configurations through the Console
- Ability to push messages to devices from the Console
- A robust way to exit Kiosk mode from the device
- Ability to push and store files in a removable storage
- Additional configurations through the SDK
1] Support for Managed Configurations Through the Console
The managed configurations feature gives IT admins the flexibility to configure work apps for different users remotely. Refer to the snapshot below to set the homepage for Chrome: blocklist URLs and Whitelist URLs through JSON key-value inputs. These Managed Configurations can be implemented on devices or groups under the respective Apps Section.
Note: Managed configuration is supported on devices with Android 5 and above.
2] Ability to Push Messages to Devices from Console
We’ve enabled IT admins to send a message to their hosted devices. The user types a message and chooses devices or groups to display it. The web Console sends the message. This message is shown on the device as a dialog. It displays over any app running, including the Kiosk mode.
In the event the device receives multiple messages at once, the user can switch between the messages by clicking the left (<) and right (>) icons at the top right corner. Note: Messages do not appear when the devices are in Lock state.
3] Robust Way to Exit Kiosk Mode from Device
If Esper settings are disabled and devices are connected to the Internet, devices can quickly exit Kiosk mode from the Console: Console > Devices & Groups > Select Device > Settings > Device Mode.
If the Internet is disconnected and the device is in Kiosk mode, the Console commands cannot reach the device. We are now showing the Wi-Fi option in the Dock. Using these Wi-Fi options, the user can connect to a different network. With this new change, we allow the end-user to access the Wi-Fi-menu. This WiFi option enables the device to connect to the internet and exit Kiosk mode.
4] Ability to Push and Store files in Removable Storage
Previously, users could push files to the internal storage of a device. Now, users can push and store the files on a removable storage device like SD cards. All the removable storage devices will have an unique eight-character ID. But users don’t need to worry about the ID. They just need to add “ESPER_EXTERNAL” at the beginning of the file path to push a file into an SD card.
ExampleESPER_EXTERNAL/myfolder
5] Additional Configurations through the SDK
We have made configurations available for users to set values like ResetFallBack and NetworkRebootFallback, via device SDK. The users app can intelligently take action by calling device SDK if the network is not available on these devices.
- Managed configurations are available to the users via SDK
- A user can pass some parameters to any app with a package name through managed configuration
- They can now update system, global and secure settings through the SDK
- Users can also get a cache path to removable storage like the SD card through the SDK
Bugs and Improvements
- App description now shows up when the user selects the app to install in the Installation menu
And, that’s it for DevRel 53. Esper’s team is working to deliver another batch of features and improvements in DevRel 54. Our next release is focused on enterprise-grade capabilities. It is scheduled for April 2021.
Please reach out to share your thoughts on how Esper can improve your customer experience in DevRel 54, 55, and beyond.