The most significant update in 2.3 is support for larger mobile form factors. Along with this new “panel” system we have also included some new diagnostic utilities as well as some new controls, site template support and some new language packs.
Smartphones will continue to display information on a single screen, or panel, unless configured otherwise. Tablets, however, will display information on 2 or more panel. Out-of-the-box, 2.3 will install with a 2-panel interface for tablets, but like all other aspects of Mobile Entrée, panel layouts are extendable through Themes and you can create any layout you wish.
This new panel system requires no configuration and will work with most custom mobile apps without any changes to code. There are some new methods and properties in the API that will give you more control over how your custom applications behave in a multi-panel interface
2.3 Beta will install the 2-panel interface for the following:
- iPad: Safari
- Xoom: Android Browser
- Xoom: FireFox
- PC: IE7+
- PC: FireFox 3+
- PC: Chrome
- PC: Safari 3+
Setting up a certain device for multi-panel support (that is not configured OOTB) requires minor configuration changes and can be packaged into a Theme.
Client-side Code Updates
ME 2.3 includes a revamped Javascript framework. 2.3 introduces the ME namespace with the beginnings of a client-side integration point for ME developers. Currently, mostly a reorganization of existing functionality and new Panel based navigation logic, the ME namespace will be our launch point for client-side integration capabilities. Additionally, certain settings can now be overridden via the setting of flags within the ME namespace. This includes the ability to override the URL used for the loader animation graphic and the ability to force a slide direction for all transitions regardless of Platform/App/Theme.
Health Check 2.3
Over the past 2 years we have learned a lot about what types of issues our users will come across when configuring ME. 2.3 introduces a new and improved health check that will check all possible configuration settings on your SharePoint farm that effect Mobile Entrée. This functionality will be accessible via Central Administration and will produce a report that can be sent to us in the event that you need further assistance.
Save Site as Template with Mobile Configuration
A long awaited feature by many, 2.3 will allow you to save your SharePoint site as a template and retain the Mobile Entrée configuration within that site. In addition to the obvious benefits of this functionality, we will be releasing a number of demo templates that will have pre-configured mobile apps for demonstration and evaluation purposes.
New Controls and Features
In the Controls category, 2.3 now has a proper Time control that will be displayed when a Date field also captures time information. This time control is much like the one used in SharePoint where it is 2 dropdown lists next to each other.
In the Features category, 2.3 now allows you to add and delete attachments on list items. This functionality can be found under the List Item Actions screen if the list has attachments enabled.
App Instance Theming (via EntreeApplication.PluginPath)
We have re-tooled how an existing, but underutilized, Property was working in the EntreeApplication class. Each instance of a Mobile App can now specify a path to its own UserAgentMapping.xml or even return raw UserAgentMapping Xml itself. An example of this is the Content Navigator app. It is still a single-panel app on tablets. This is facilitated by sending a path to an alternative UserAgentMapping.xml file that reverts it back to a single panel and also uses the new ME namespace constants to remove the sliding effect. Developers can also take advantage of this UserAgentMapping.xml file for the same purpose if they would like. Conversely, this could also be used to allow a custom Mobile App to have it's panel layout be configurable, on a per-instance basis.
Included Languages
Mobile Entrée 2.3 installs with language packs for
- English
- French
- Italian
- German
We will be expanding on this list in future updates.