Why VR and AR Developers should use Application Release Channels

June 23, 2023

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The problem: Managing app versions

Whenever developers want to add a new feature, fix a bug, or improve their app, they must build and deploy a new version. At any given moment, you may juggle several versions of your app: some may still be undergoing development, testing, and quality assurance, and others may be production-ready for end-users.

Managing several app versions is cumbersome without the right tools. Your content distribution system should help you organize your app versions and confidently deploy the correct app to the appropriate audience.

ManageXR’s Application Release Channels

Application Release Channels are a distribution tool that simplifies and centralizes application versioning and updating. They create a layer of abstraction between specific app versions and the intended audience for that version.

When you begin to manage multiple app versions on multiple configurations, you should consider using Release Channels. Then, as your app evolves, rather than updating each of your configurations with the new app version, you can instead update the app's Release Channel.

You will also need Release Channels when you want to securely share your application with another organization and control time limits and device access. Generate a share code to give to your customers for easy and secure application sharing. Through ManageXR, you can see which organizations and how many devices can access your Release Channel.

Types of Release Channels

Many VR and AR content developers have Release Channels for development, testing, quality assurance (QA), and production, where they release the respective version of their application for experimentation, testing, or general customer use.

Use Release Channels to manage app versioning across your devices.

Who are Release Channels built for?

Release Channels are made for content developers, ISVs, content platforms, and any organization who creates & deploys their own applications.

The Benefits of Release Channels

Streamline and centralize the application update process:
- Make version changes in one place that apply to all your configurations and organizations.
- Save time deploying new versions of content and software.
- Simplify management using Release Channels as a single source of truth for application versions.
Securely share your app with other organizations through Release Channels:
- Control and update the app version you share with ease.
- Use Share Codes to easily share versions to external organizations
- See how many other organizations and devices can access your Release Channel and application version.
- Revoke access to a Release Channel at any time.
- Get email notifications when anyone accepts a Release Channel share code.
- Set customers’ time and device limits for app versions shared via the Release Channel

How to Get Started with Release Channels

Getting started with Release Channels is easy.

Create a Release Channel for your app
Set the target app version for the Release Channel
Deploy the app to your configuration with the Release Channel selected

To give external organizations access to your Release Channel, generate and send a share code. To give managed organizations access, select the organization you want to share the Release Channel with.