j224

Yeah, I've recently discovered the same thing! I contacted Apple directly and they simply said- no it's not supported yet. I googled it and I've only found one possible workaround which involves downloading the free ebooks in iTunes, locating them in the folder, uploading them to a website, using the iPad to navigate to that website and open the ebooks with Safari and then it gives you the option to open in iBooks. I've not tried it yet myself.

I found that if I setup 1 'master' iPad and created a backup of it in iTunes, and then restored that backup to the remaining iPads (to make them all identical), some of the settings would not copy across very well, so I ended up manually fixing each iPad. We now use Apple Configurator to do the same thing but it works a lot better, although it's free, the Mac you need to run it and the sync trolley are not cheap.

You might want to look at Airserver instead of getting the Apple TVs, it's much cheaper!

Cool, give me a shout if you need a hand. I was like you a few months ago- confused by the amount of options and the differences between them. If you're wanting all of the iPads to be identical (as much as possible), then there's a certain procedure to go through with Configurator which involves 'Preparing' the devices, setting restrictions/profiles, setting up one 'master' iPad and creating folders on the device itself, making a backup of that master and then restoring that to the remaining iPads. It's quite a lot to do for the initial setup but is fairly quick after that when you just want to install or remove a couple of apps. Try to make a list of noteworthy apps to install before they arrive. I put about 120 free apps on each iPad and let the staff play with them to decide which apps to remove and replace with better, paid apps.

Hi mrbios, I think we're getting our wires crossed! You've got a couple of options- - Use an MDM solution. Meraki a free one that a lot of people on this forum use (as I mentioned in my previous post). As far as I know, it will send apps/settings to the iPads wirelessly and you don't need a Mac to install it (like you do with Configurator). However, it does take a bit of setting up- there's a bunch of IPs you need to let through the firewall before it will function correctly. I've not used Meraki so I can't say much more about it, but if you do a search on the forum, you'll find loads of posts about it. You will need some way of charging the devices though and a normal charging trolley is probably best to keep them safely stored aswell. - Or use a PC and install the iPhone Configuration Utility. But you will need a trolley with the sync feature if you want to do them all at the same time. - Or get a macbook (or Mac mini is a bit cheaper) and a charge and sync trolley (like the iQ one you mentioned), install Apple Configurator on the Mac and plug all of the iPads into the trolley. Apple Configurator is basically a replacement for the iPhone Config Utility and has a lot more functionality. The iQ trolley basically has two sync hubs sat inside two drawers. Each hub has 16 USB ports to connect to the iPads. There's also 2 USB leads from those sync hubs that you plug into the Mac. You then fire up Configurator and go through the process of naming, updating, settings restrictions, installing apps, restoring from backups, setting the wallpaper, etc.

Hi mrbios, That's exactly the same trolley that we've got and it's a beautifully made product. Your manager is right- you don't need a trolley and Apple Configurator to manage multiple iPads/iPods. We already had a Mac with OS X 10.7 so that saved us a bit of money. Many others on this forum are using the free MDM solution called Meraki. I've heard good things about it but unfortunately haven't tried it myself so I can't compare it to our setup. As far as I know, it does install apps/profiles wirelessly and works with the VPP codes. We knew we'd need a charging trolley even if we didn't want to use Configurator and sync all the devices at the same time. But even trolleys without the syncing feature are quite pricey. I would say it's definitely worth looking at wireless management if you've got more than 50 devices, but you do have to consider how they will be charged- somebody will have to plug them in every few days. Of course, if you go the wireless route you'll also need a pretty decent wireless network.

That's strange. I've not seen that article before, but we've not had any issues with using one account. A Mac mini is fairly cheap so if you're school is willing to buy one then Apple Configurator is pretty good. You do need a sync and charge cart though, because all of the devices need to be connected via USB. Configurator doesn't do wireless installation of apps. For the small number of devices we have it's not a problem. You said above that you're currently using Meraki- why do you want to change? Sorry for not being clear in my previous post. You basically have 3 different accounts. I setup a gmail account first for each one. Then I went to iTunes and downloaded a free app and it asked me to create a new iTunes account. So one of the gmail addresses- [email protected]. This is the same account I use when Apple Configurator asks me to sign in (when importing apps into it). The second gmail account I used to sign up to the VPP programme and the third I used for the facilitator account. You don't use the manager account after that, unless you want to create another facilitator account. The facilitator signs into the VPP to buy apps. Free apps can be downloaded via iTunes using the itunes gmail address and imported into Configurator. I've also created a fourth email account [schoolname][email protected] and used this to setup an email account on all of the iPads. Just incase we want to send anything to or from the devices. One big pain in the bum with Configurator is that it prevents the 'Supervised' devices from being plugged into any other computer. So you can't use the USB to copy photos off the device unless you use the computer with Configurator on. We've got around this by using the free SimplTransfer app which works very well.

Hi Vellocet, Where does it say about a 10 device limit for a single apple ID? I used a single gmail address to sign up for an iTunes account (not linked to credit card). I called it [ourschoolname][email protected]. We have 16 iPad 2's and 20 iPod Touches all setup using Apple Configurator and using that same iTunes account. Not had any issues. I also setup a VPP manager account- [ourschoolname][email protected] and a facilitator account [ourschoolname][email protected]. I've just bought an app using that facilitator account and am currently installing it on all the devices.

Apple Configurator with charge 'n' sync cart.

Should just be able to install AirPrint on a PC if it's linked to a shared network printer. Haven't tried it though- How To: Enable AirPrint on Windows (32/64Bit) with iOS 5+ Support - MacRumors Forums

We've installed this- Netputing » handyPrint (AirPrint Activator) on one of our iMacs for printing from the iPads. Not had to do anything about storing data yet but we have used SimplTransfer to copy photos/videos off the devices, which has been very successful.

Hi, Can you explain what you mean about the iOS 6 problems? I've got 16 iPads that I've just setup with Apple Configurator and installed iOS 6.1 on all of them. I've added loads of free apps to them but haven't yet bought any using the Volume License Program, but I am signed up to it for when we need it.

Thanks. That's really helpful information. Even buying the full version at 1.49 isn't going to break the bank, but thanks for the tip!

Thanks for this. I hadn't come across that app and I'm in exactly the same situation as you. Just setup some iPads with Configurator and needing a way to get the photos/videos off. Is this better than using Dropbox or similar?

You can use the camera to capture photos and videos but you're not able to connect via USB to any computer, other than the Mac with Configurator installed on it.

Yeah, this is a major downside and Apple haven't thought it through very well. We're thinking FileBrowser or Dropbox might the best workaround but obviously have their own downsides too.

If you have a Mac, you might have better luck with the Apple Configurator app. We're just about to start using it. I believe it supersedes the iPhone Configurator so have more functionality.

Google Earth is the first app that springs to mind. Unless the N7 tablets are the 3G version, using them outside of school might be limited.

I have a personal Nexus 7 but I don't know of any schools using them. This site might help to get you started- Teaching Appz | Formats Archive | Android

Might be your firewall. Check the following are open- The IP address that Meraki use which will need to be opened up through the firewall are 64.62.142.0/24, 64.156.192.0/24, 74.50.51.0/24, 74.50.52.0/24, 74.50.53.0/24, 74.50.54.0/24, 74.50.56.0/24, 74.50.58.0/24, 74.50.62.0/24, 74.50.63.0/24, 213.229.98.133/32 and 213.229.98.133/32. The TCP Ports are HTTP (80), HTTPS (443), 7734, 7752, 2195, 2196, 5223 and 5228. The UDP Ports are 7351, 9350, 1812, 1645 ans 123.

Out of interest, what sort of setup does mwnci have at their school?

Interesting. The account I used to sign up to VPP was a gmail account that I had previously used in iTunes and downloaded free apps with. They approved my application so I assume all was ok. Does the above rule only apply when the iTunes account has been linked to a credit card?

The 'FileBrowser' app? I haven't used it myself but it might do what you're wanting and is a lot cheaper at £2.99

According to this blog post, you can get the code back in Meraki if you need to- Meraki Mobile Device Management | admin Near the bottom it says- "Especially if it is a paid for app you are adding make sure you tick the ‘remove with MDM’ box as this will enable you to reclaim the redemption code back at a later day of required." I've not used Meraki so I can't comment if it is correct. I'm trying to decide myself whether it is best to go with Meraki and push apps wirelessly or Apple Configurator and connect to sync and charge trolley. From that blog post, it sounds like Meraki works nicely but I've heard a lot of people had trouble with it.

Thanks for the update. We're getting iPads in the coming week or two and I was worried about this issue!