14 DAY TRIAL // An “unverified” source tells AppleInsider that Apple plans to roll out all-new Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions with the launch of iOS 7.1 “around” March 15.
The MDM features are certainly exciting for a great deal of businesses and institutions, but the planned launch date of iOS 7.1 is equally tantalizing to regular readers.
Per the report in question, “An unverified source reported to AppleInsider that Apple is working with a select few MDM vendors and institutional clients on efforts to improve iOS managed deployment, and that those improvements are currently set to ship as part of iOS 7.1 ‘around March 15’.”
The source reportedly gave the site a lot of “concrete information” about Apple's mass device deployment initiative, such as the fact that the company may phase out its Configurator app in favor of these updated MDM tools.
One of the highlighted features is over-the-air (OTA) supervision of deployed iOS devices, with options to “monitor and protect large iOS device deployments.”
The tools go beyond what Configurator can do, catering not only to schools and small businesses, but also to enterprises and the large education sector.
An example is provided: “a school administrator would be able to set and lock device profiles, data and other information without risking deletion by the student.”
According to the report, some administrators have actually criticized Apple Configurator “for its lack of powerful security tools.” In other words, it wouldn’t be too surprising to see Apple yank its free Configurator app from the Mac App Store.
All in all, expect iOS 7.1 to be deployed in under a month. The software will deliver a new Siri with “natural sounding” voices in Australian and British English, as well as in Japanese and Mandarin Chinese.
Some user interface tweaks are also included in the software, according to those who’ve tested out the betas. The most visible changes are in the virtual keyboard, the Switch Off screen, and the Phone app.