Apple has released the first update for its free iOS Apple Configurator tool. Configurator, which we’ve covered in-depth since its release last month, allows organizations to mass configure and deploy iPads. The software works best as a stand-alone management solution for iOS devices that are shared among multiple users but it can also be part of a wider mobile management strategy.
The update includes a handful of bug fixes as well as a couple or major changes to the ways that Configurator works with app and ebook purchases.
The biggest change in the new release to Configurator is that it now allows for redemption codes for apps purchased through Apple’s volume purchase program to be re-used. In its initial release, when an app was installed using Configurator, the redemption code for it became unusable. That meant that the code couldn’t be used to install the same app on a different device even if the first device was removed from service or replaced. In the new version, a redemption code for an app can be reused so long as the original device has been returned to an unmanaged state and wiped by Configurator. The new model is a more traditional approach to volume licensing.
Another change relates to ebooks purchased from Apple’s iBookstore or courses downloaded from iTunes U. Bookmarks, highlighted passages, and notes are now removed from a device during the backup and restore process, which prepares a device to be redeployed to another user.
The remaining items noted by Apple in the update are bug fixes and minor adjustments.
Here’s the complete list of changes from Apple:
This update improves overall stability and performance and addresses a number of issues, including the following:
- Enterprise apps packaged as .ipa files are imported and installed correctly.
- Redemption codes for apps that contain a comma in their title can now be imported.
- A redemption code may be reused to install an app on another device if the original device is unsupervised and erased by Apple Configurator, or if the app’s installation did not complete on the original device.
- The redemption code used to purchase an app in iTunes may also be used to install the app on one device with Apple Configurator.
- The number of redemption codes remaining for an app is now displayed correctly.
- Notes and bookmarks entered into iBooks and iTunes U are deleted when a backup is restored to a supervised device.
- The WPA2 password is saved when editing a Wi-Fi profile payload.
- The name of a stored backup is saved when edited.
- The storage capacity of an 8 GB iPod touch is now displayed correctly.
- The “Erase all contents and settings” checkbox on the Prepare pane has been relabeled “Erase before installing”.
The update can be downloaded through the Mac App Store.
