MDM - Mobile Device Managers
There are currently two competing Mobile Device Managers and both are good. Meta will also be rolling out their own Mobile Device Manager, that I understand, operates and looks a lot like these MDMs. I do not know the cost.
We're in a transition time with Meta and Prisms VR headsets. Educators would like to purchase apps for the Meta Quest in volume similar to the Apple Volume Purchase Program (starting at 20 copies of an app, the cost is reduced by 50%) and then be able to batch install the app via an MDM, similar to what can be done with FileWave and Jamf, two popular MDMs for iPads and other devices. I've reached out to developers to ask about volume discounts and providing the app in a way that can be deployed via a compatible MDM, but I've either received no reply or they refused. And we can't blame them. If they were to provide the app file (these are .apk files) and it does not contain meta data, encoding it to a single user's account, this app could posted online and the developer potentially be out of business. And if you have the .apk file that you install and next week there is a major update, how is that distributed? I hope that Meta will find a solution, similar to the Apple volume purchase program, but until that happens below I've outlined the solution to creating external apps or unmanaged apps in the two different MDMs. It is a lot of work, but currently the only solution.
I like that ManageXR allows a set of apps to be configured in a "Configuration" file. And you can create as many Configurations as you want. So it's easier to allow a specific subset of apps to be used simply by selecting a different configuration. Unsure of education price.
$72 a device/year - starter plan and $96 device/year - essential plan, however, education pricing is still a little fluid.
Create a Meta account for every device. To install the MDM app, you need to side load those apps. This requires the devices to be on a developer's account, which requires two factor authentication. I validate with my cell phone.
Buy the app (and "buy" could also refer to free apps) for every device on every account. I find it's easier to make the purchases on the computer.
With the headsets exited from the ArborXR MDM, go to "Uninstalled apps" and install all the apps you've purchased on each headset.
In ArborXR - create an Unmanaged app for each of the apps you want to manage. Select the Meta Quest 2 as a device that the apps will work on. FYI: below is a list of 20 free apps and the package names for the apps I created and manage. Find or create a thumbnail size (64 pixel x 64 pixel) image for each app. Paid apps are managed the same way. They are first purchased and installed onto a headset, then they are managed via the MDM. Purchase multiple copies of an app when it is on sale.
Now the hard work is behind you. In the MDM, create a Group and select the unmanaged apps you want the user to see when they are using the headset.
Note - when you're in the headset and you need to exit the MDM screen, i.e. you need to install an app, use the Admin PIN code you create in ArborXR. To return to ArborXR in the headset, find the ArborXR app in "Unknown Sources" and launch it (be sure to click to exit Amin in the ArborXR screen on the headset so a user can't exit to the admin setting without the PIN).
A relatively new player in the VR MDM field; but a company with a depth of experience in managing desktops. I've been told that they have a VR MDM solution, but I've not contacted them for a demo yet.
CoPlay Hub makes it easier to find your devices on a network and provides a dashboard to control multiple devices at the same time. Enter IP address the app provides (such as: http://192.168.0.44:8080) and cast, from hub on device, you can start an app, force quit an app; and multiple users can view screen at the same time. Supports multiple devices and optional passwords for changing a device. May need to include a router so this is done independent of a school’s network.
