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Apple Releases Apple Configurator 2.3 Beta

Apple Configurator 2

Apple has released Apple Configurator 2.3 Beta to developers, with a full released expected this Fall along side iOS 10.

Apple Configurator 2 is an app for OS X 10.11.5 or later that makes it easy to set up and deploy groups of similarly or identically configured iOS devices. Apple Configurator can be used to quickly perform discrete tasks like updating to latest iOS or installing apps or configuration profiles as well as create and execute custom workflows which configure many devices with one click.

Developers can download it from the Apple Developer Downloads.

What’s New in Apple Configurator 2.3

Saved Searches in iCloud
Keep saved searches consistent across Configurator stations signed into the same iCloud account

Improved Prepare
Set the current time zone while Preparing devices

Skip the iMessage & FaceTime Setup Assistant pane

Blueprint Fixes
Install the latest App Store app version while applying blueprints

Support for new configuration profile settings in iOS 10
Choose default app for audio calls for Contacts, Exchange, Google, and LDAP accounts Set Bluetooth

Modification restriction on supervised devices

Restrict Cisco fast lane quality of service marking or disable captive network detection for Wi-Fi networks

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Mobile Charging Best Practices

Here at Onefruit, we love providing great charging solutions for your businesses and schools. Our multi-charging stations are meant to make the whole process easy. But what about that time in-between charges? How do you keep your batteries working to their best on and off the charger?

It’s important to note that batteries have a life-span. The Lithium-Ion batteries Apple and most Android manufacturers use are built to last a long time, and withstand multiple charges. Too, our battery woes are usually based on misunderstandings of how this technology works.

Quick Charge vs Real Charge

The Lithium-Ion battery in modern smart devices has the ability to do a quick charge, and get you to 80% quickly. Afterward, the device “trickle charges” at a slower rate up to 100%. Perceptually, this can cause an issue when we think we’re getting a “full charge” but our device just hit 80% and was still working on receiving a real charge.

How fast or how long this charge takes also depends on your settings and what you’re doing with the device while you’re using it.

It’s best to turn off the Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and all other apps while charging to get the fastest and most efficient 100% charge.

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Charging Cycles

Just like any battery, the ability to recharge diminishes over time. Users previously had to be worried about “battery memory”, or the battery getting stuck at a certain charging level if they didn’t regularly deplete the battery fully before a re-charge.

However, Lithium-Ion batteries work on a charge cycle rather than require full charges from 0%-100%. This means, you simply need to charge your device regularly for it be healthy.

Most Android devices and all Apple devices have a high number of charging cycles before the battery will actually start showing wear. In Apple’s case, it’s in excess of 500 cycles before the battery will act at 80% capacity (but still show 100% when you charge it), and it will go down from there. Meaning, over time an 100% charge won’t get you what it used to.

Here’s how the cycles work.

If your battery went from 100% and you used it until it went to 50%, then charge it, you’ve only used half of one cycle. When you next use the device and say you only use 25% of the battery before charging it, you’ve now used up 75% of the cycle.

This process continues until you’ve reached that 100% of a full cycle, then starts all over again, all by itself.

So, how do you protect your device? Charge it regularly and turn it off when you don’t it.

Ultimately, enjoy your device but keep in mind that Lithium-Ion batteries allow you work longer, charge faster, and have longer lasting devices. Then, when you need to charge it, check OneFruit’s charging solutions to get on to the next cycle!

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iPad In-Flight Entertainment Systems – Onefruit Helping To Power Sky Movies

iPad IFEA Coventry business is helping to keep thousands of iPads charged for passengers to watch in-flight films.

Ben Goulding-Huckle came up with the idea of developing a quick and efficient way of charging and storing large numbers of iPads, tablets and mobiles after previously organising AV equipment for the events, conferences and exhibitions industry.

He launched Onefruit after meeting the owner of a military electronic equipment business and they decided to work together to design, manufacture and sell a range of equipment called Chargebus.

The 26-year-old attended a training course run by Coventry University’s Institute of Applied Entrepreneurship and was assigned a business mentor for 12 hours of free support which gave him the impetus to properly market the Chargebus product range which works in countries all over the world.

Ben has already delivered a large number of Chargebus’ to help keep 17,000 iPads charged for in-flight entertainment.

He said: “Chargebus is like having a mobile charger but on an industry-scale. Airlines are starting to use iPads on aeroplanes rather than having screens on the back of a seat for a number of reasons – the extra weight of every screen leads to extra fuel costs and there is the extra costs of making each screen.

“After each flight, the iPads can be collected and re-charged for the next flight quickly and easily.

“Data can be synced for television programmes and films for in-flight entertainment so it is the equivalent of having a big USB Hub since data can be transferred.

“The biggest difference between this product and others on the market is that normally when you start transferring data to mobile devices it drops the power right down to allow the data to move across but with the Chargebus it continues to charge to full capacity as well as copying the data which is good news for environments such as aeroplanes.”

A London airport is another customer of Ben’s which is using his products to enable its travellers to charge and sync their personal devices before take-off.

Onefruit is also developing relationships with schools in the UK, Switzerland and France and large businesses based in the UK.

Robin Underhay from Coventry University’s Institute of Applied Entrepreneurship said Ben had started a business in a market which had the capacity to grow massively in the future.

He said: “Being able to charge huge numbers of mobiles, tablets and iPads can be difficult if you don’t have the right equipment and Onefruit is making the most of a gap in the market.

“It is particularly exciting that Ben has already had a huge order for the Chargebus’ to keep thousands of iPads charged during the air for travellers to watch films during their journey.

“With technology products it is important to keep your marketing material simple and concise and the support Ben received from his business mentor was really important in helping him achieve that particularly in the early stages for a business start-up.”

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Goodbye iPad 2 | Official Blog of Onefruit

After three years, Apple has finally killed off the iPad 2. Apple has replaced it’s price point with a 16 GB version of the iPad 4 which was discontinued last October.

This is good news for schools and businesses who are look to save money on their deployment but are not willing to purchase extremely outdated hardware. The iPad 2 run Apple’s A5 processor with 512 MB RAM compared to the iPad 4’s newer A6X processor, 1 GB RAM and Retina display.

iPad 4 with Retina display is priced at £329 ($399) and on sale now via Apple’s Online Store.