Tuesday, Apple surprised developers by announcing that iOS and iPadOS 14 would be released Wednesday. Fortunately, as we revealed in our previous blog post, we invested heavily in test automation over the past few months. Over the last 24 hours, we have been able to complete dozens of full test passes on WebFrame Pro, WebFrame, and WebFrame Basic. To their credit, Apple reviewers are rapidly reviewing and approving new releases. We are happy to announce the availability of v3.0.0 of the WebFrame Kiosk portfolio of products.

WebFrame v3.0.0 Includes:

iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 Support

iOS and iPadOS 14 introduced changes in multitasking and how threads update the user interface. We introduced a work-around in the previous release to accommodate our customers using the public betas. v3.0.0 has been updated with the latest OS changes while maintaining compatibility back to iOS 12.4.

QR and BarCode Reader

While mobile Safari includes support for JavaScript-based QR code readers, Apple has not enabled that support for WKWebView-based browsers which includes many popular browsers (Chrome, Edge, FireFox, etc.) as well as other web-based kiosk solutions. To support our customers, we have created native a native QR and barcode scanner that can be called from JavaScript. After a successful read, WebFrame will return the scanned data to a JavaScript callback function that you can implement however you wish. This allows our customers to create product lookup, employee login, coupon scans, etc. For information on implementing WebFrame QR and Barcode reader on your page, please refer to https://www.wireframerate.com/webframe-user-guide#qr-reader

Easier Access to and Password Protection of In-App Settings

When enabled, in-app settings can be accessed with a four-finger double-tap gesture. This provides easier access to settings and allows configuration changes to be made to a device running in Single App Mode. Additionally, in-app settings can be protected by a passcode. As an added convenience, the passcode can be entered by scanning a QR code.

Autonomous Single App Mode (WebFrame Pro)

In addition to Guided Access Mode and Single App Mode, WebFrame Pro supports Autonomous Single App Mode (ASAM). Like traditional Single App Mode, ASAM will lock a device down to a single application with no access to the home screen, even on a reboot. As an added convenience, however, ASAM allows a configured kiosk app to start and stop a single-app session. From the in-app settings menu in WebFrame Pro, an authorized administrator can exit a single app session, access the desktop to use a line-of-business or other app, then go back to WebFrame Pro and resume a single app session.

Create a Web Archive from In-App Settings (WebFrame Pro)

When offline support was added to WebFrame Pro, creating a web archive file required either desktop or mobile Safari. In WebFrame Pro v3.0.0, you can now create a web archive from in-app settings. After creating the archive, WebFrame Pro will prompt if you would like to configure the archive as the homepage URL.

Improved Test Coverage and Bug Fixes

Our investment in test automation has not only paid dividends in our ability to quickly test and release a new build, but also exposed several lower priority bugs and quality issues in our previous releases. As we move forward, this new approach should accelerate our ability to release new features while improving product quality.

Updated User Guide

We have created a new user guide with enhanced navigation and an improved architecture that will allow the page to load faster and allow us to quickly add new content. The URL for the user guide remains https://www.wireframerate.com/webframe-user-guide

Get WebFrame Now

WebFrame Basic Kiosk on the AppStore

WebFrame Kiosk on the AppStore

WebFrame Pro on the AppStore

When we began working on WebFrame, software for turning an iPad into a public kiosk, we did not envision a time when people would stop going out in public. We see both challenges and opportunities in the post COVID-19 world, and are making some adjustments to respond.

First, we are seeing a need from our customers to switch from interactive kiosks to digital information displays. In the latest releases of WebFrame and WebFrame Pro, we have changed the way our inactivity timer functionality works to allow digital information displays to be more dynamic while still remaining non-interactive. When user interaction is disabled, the inactivity timer will start counting down immediately (rather than waiting for the first user interaction) before refreshing the page. We have also added a 1-hour option to the timer. These changes will allow you to point WebFrame to a webpage, document, slide show, or commercial information display solution and enable WebFrame to reload new content on a periodic basis.

Second, we see a lot of promise in the use of iPad-based kiosks as a replacement of person-to-person interactions to facilitate social distancing. However, the iPad screen is a potential source of spreading infection between users. As a result, we are actively looking for partners that manufacture anti-microbial cases and/or screen protectors. Look for an announcement soon.

Finally, we are pleased to announce WebFrame Basic Kiosk. WebFrame Basic has the entire set of features available in WebFrame Kiosk, but is free. Our hope is that WebFrame Basic will provide an easy way for potential customers to try-out WebFrame in their environment or with their web apps before purchasing WebFrame or WebFrame Pro. WebFrame Basic includes an ad banner at the bottom of the screen that provides App Store links that make it easy to purchase WebFrame or WebFrame Pro.

Get WebFrame Basic, WebFrame, and WebFrame Pro from the following links:

WebFrame Basic Kiosk

WebFrame Kiosk

WebFrame Pro Kiosk

Thanks and stay safe!

Tony @ WireFramerate