mdep
4 TopicsAdvancing collaboration and accessibility: Inside the MDEP 2024.4 release
The MDEP 2024.4 release is here, and it's packed with exciting updates! We've expanded support to cover even more collaboration device types and hardware configurations in addition to introducing new tools for our OEM partners and developers that ease platform integration and customization. One of the highlights of this release is the comprehensive support for IP phones and compatibility with meeting room systems based on a centralized architecture. The MDEP 2024.4 release also packs improved accessibility features, ensuring that all users can effectively utilize our platform. This release truly reflects our commitment to providing secure and innovative solutions for the Microsoft Device Ecosystem Platform community: IP phones: Expanding device capabilities The MDEP 2024.4 release introduces support for a wide range of IP phones, including: Touchscreen phones: Devices equipped with touch displays of various sizes and aspect ratios. Non-touchscreen phones: High-volume models with physical buttons for navigation and actions. SideCar support: Accessory modules attached to Teams phones, which extend functionality through extra programmable buttons, providing quick access to features such as speed dialing and call transfers. Extended hardware support for meeting rooms In ensuring support for a variety of hardware configurations, this release adds compatibility for Microsoft Teams Rooms on Android systems built around a cental unit, as an alternative to systems based on two paired Android devices: Centralized architecture: Allows for simplified touch console hardware that operates as a peripheral to a primary Microsoft Teams Rooms on Android device over a USB connection. Additional hardware support: We are working closely with our device partners in expanding support to additional meeting device configurations in subsequent releases. Easier configuration and provisioning To streamline deployments and support evolving hardware needs, the MDEP 2024.4 release offers: Frictionless certificate provisioning: Simplified workflows on supported Qualcomm SoCs, reducing setup complexities, and enables secure device authentication, seamless integration, and reduced complexity for OEMs and developers. Qualcomm QCS6490 chipset support: Expanding MDEP compatibility with Qualcomm’s QCS6490, a high-performance IoT processor, designed for advanced edge computing and AI-driven applications. VaaS provider enhancements: This update simplifies the provisioning and management of multiple video-as-a-service (VaaS) providers on a device, covering the installation, configuration, and removal of VaaS software as a scalable and extendable platform solution. Fluent 2 Design System for developers The new MDEP UI library integrates Microsoft's Fluent 2 Design System into a unified framework. Based on the latest native platform components, Fluent UI Android introduces a cohesive design language across platforms and Microsoft services, enabling the following: Faster partner customization: MDEP’s Fluent UI components are designed for fast integration, customization, and extensibility to meet unique partner needs. Future readiness: Prepares MDEP for additional device categories with turn-key UX/UI and consistency with other Microsoft services. Accessibility: Inclusive by design The 2024.4 release introduces key accessibility enhancements for more inclusive meeting environments: Flexible narrator audio output: Allows end users to switch audio output to the preferred device when using a screen reader in a meeting room. Improved UI navigation: MDEP’s app interfaces now support physical controllers and keyboards across device types. Looking ahead We’re excited to continue our journey in strengthening MDEP as a versatile and scalable foundation for a range of device categories together with our partners. Stay tuned for more updates and insights at ISE 2025 in Barcelona next month!