3CX v16 Update 3 Beta released - video calls on Android and iOS, TLS connection of SIP trunks
Last week we released the 3CX v16 Update 3! This update includes support for secure SIP trunks operating under the TLS protocol (for example, the Ukrainian mobile operator Lifecell), video calls on mobile devices, and other interesting new items. Test the new beta - help us release the final release faster!
We list the main improvements that appeared in the new service package:
Together with 3CX v16 Update 3 Beta, we introduced the new 3CX application for Android Beta. It received a number of interesting features, mainly due to your feedback. This is a silent mode of operation, improved work with contacts and video calls (coming soon)! To test the new app, join the Google Play beta tester program.
The new 3CX release for Android received the following features:
Unfortunately, in this beta release, video communication is still not fully debugged, but will appear when the final version is released. The video shows how this will work.
A new 3CX Android application requires a minimum of 3CX V16 Update 2 with a trusted SSL certificate (better than Update 3 Beta). Android 7, 8 and 9 are supported. Android 10 Q was released recently, but we have already done many improvements to improve compatibility with this OS. For example, in Android Q, the way to answer calls is changed - the interface resembles a response to a PUSH notification, instead of the usual “Answer / Reject” window. We already support this kind of response.
Some features of v16 Update 3 make certain demands on 3CX mobile apps. The current applications on your devices will be automatically (via the Android and iOS update tools) replaced with new ones - with a different interface, video communication, etc. These applications will only work with 3CX v16 Update 3 and higher. On the other hand, current versions of applications will no longer be supported by Update 3 after about a month.
The problem is that some users still use outdated PBX versions that new mobile applications will stop working with. And here you have to decide:
In the second case, be sure to pay attention to the application update mode, because on most mobile devices, auto-update is enabled by default.
PBX server updates are available to owners of a 3CX perpetual license with an active subscription to updates or an annual license (including a free one for 8 simultaneous calls). If your subscription has expired, renew it through your 3CX partner. You can also exchange your perpetual license with an expired annual subscription - and receive all updates for free for one year. However, if you are not ready to upgrade to Update 3, be sure to turn off the auto-update of the 3CX application on your device.
Go to Google Play, select "My Applications and Games", on the "Installed" tab, click on "3CX" and in the upper right menu remove "Auto Update".
For those users who install the latest version of 3CX, but have users with Android below version 7, we will offer a special APK-file for the new 3CX application. This must be done because Google Play does not update applications if the OS or smartphone is not supported. However, such an application will not be automatically updated and accompanied by 3CX technical support.
Unfortunately, in order not to update just one application, in the current version of iOS you will have to disable updates for all applications.
Go to Settings> iTunes & App Store and turn off the switch at the top of the Updates screen. As you can see, the lack of a subscription to updates for just one application creates restrictions on the work of all other iOS applications. This is another argument for renewing or using the 3CX annual license.
If you have the latest version of 3CX installed, go to the “Updates” section in the server interface, select “v16 Update 3 Beta” and click “Download Selected”.
You can also install a clean distribution for Windows or Linux:
Complete change log .
To try the new 3CX applications for mobile devices, register in the Beta testing program:
Do not install these beta versions in a working environment! Use them only to test new features - they are not covered by technical support.
We list the main improvements that appeared in the new service package:
- Connection of SIP trunks on TLS. A new option “Transport Protocol” has appeared in the SIP trunk parameters. To connect a TLS trunk, install it in TLS (Transport Layer Security) and upload the security certificate (.pem) provided by the SIP operator to the server. Now all SIP messages between the PBX and your provider will be encrypted
- TLS protocol compatibility level. Under “Settings”> “Security”, a new option “Enable PCI compliance SSL / SecureSIP Transport and Ciphers” has appeared, which sets the server mode in TLS v1.2 (and disables compatibility with TLS v1.0). Please note that TLS v1.2 is not compatible with some legacy SIP devices.
- Update SSL certificate without restarting. Earlier, when updating the SSL certificate (Let's Encrypt) for the FQDN server from 3CX, the PBX restarted the web service. At the same time, all current calls were interrupted. Now the PBX simply initializes a new certificate without restarting nginx. Active calls are not interrupted - telephony server uptime is even higher!
- PUSH notifications in various user statuses. Now you can individually enable or disable PUSH notifications for each user status. In the web client, this is done in the section "Options"> "Call Forwarding", the option "Receive PUSH notifications". The same option is available in the beta version of the 3CX application for Android. In addition, you can configure PUSH notifications in the 3CX server management interface.
- Names of group conversations. Now you can specify your own name for the group conversation, and it will be shown to all participants in the 3CX web client and 3CX mobile applications.
New 3CX Android Beta App
Together with 3CX v16 Update 3 Beta, we introduced the new 3CX application for Android Beta. It received a number of interesting features, mainly due to your feedback. This is a silent mode of operation, improved work with contacts and video calls (coming soon)! To test the new app, join the Google Play beta tester program.
The new 3CX release for Android received the following features:
- Silent mode of operation. The new mode of operation disables the "call" with an incoming call. Enabling and disabling the mode is done by a switch in the application interface, while the corresponding status is displayed at the top of the screen.
- Correct work with incoming calls. Now, incoming calls that were answered on another IP phone correctly stop ringing in the Android application.
- Improved chat. A quick action menu has appeared in the application, which allows the call center operator to transfer the chat from the website to himself or transfer it to another employee. Also accelerated the loading of message history.
- Improved work with the address book. Downloading your contact list is now faster; A search for a contact by company name also appeared.
Unfortunately, in this beta release, video communication is still not fully debugged, but will appear when the final version is released. The video shows how this will work.
A new 3CX Android application requires a minimum of 3CX V16 Update 2 with a trusted SSL certificate (better than Update 3 Beta). Android 7, 8 and 9 are supported. Android 10 Q was released recently, but we have already done many improvements to improve compatibility with this OS. For example, in Android Q, the way to answer calls is changed - the interface resembles a response to a PUSH notification, instead of the usual “Answer / Reject” window. We already support this kind of response.
New smartphone apps and legacy PBX server
Some features of v16 Update 3 make certain demands on 3CX mobile apps. The current applications on your devices will be automatically (via the Android and iOS update tools) replaced with new ones - with a different interface, video communication, etc. These applications will only work with 3CX v16 Update 3 and higher. On the other hand, current versions of applications will no longer be supported by Update 3 after about a month.
The problem is that some users still use outdated PBX versions that new mobile applications will stop working with. And here you have to decide:
- Update your PBX to v16 Update 3 and continue to use the system as before.
- Do not update the server, but disable the update of mobile applications.
In the second case, be sure to pay attention to the application update mode, because on most mobile devices, auto-update is enabled by default.
3CX Upgradeability
PBX server updates are available to owners of a 3CX perpetual license with an active subscription to updates or an annual license (including a free one for 8 simultaneous calls). If your subscription has expired, renew it through your 3CX partner. You can also exchange your perpetual license with an expired annual subscription - and receive all updates for free for one year. However, if you are not ready to upgrade to Update 3, be sure to turn off the auto-update of the 3CX application on your device.
Android
Go to Google Play, select "My Applications and Games", on the "Installed" tab, click on "3CX" and in the upper right menu remove "Auto Update".
For those users who install the latest version of 3CX, but have users with Android below version 7, we will offer a special APK-file for the new 3CX application. This must be done because Google Play does not update applications if the OS or smartphone is not supported. However, such an application will not be automatically updated and accompanied by 3CX technical support.
iOS
Unfortunately, in order not to update just one application, in the current version of iOS you will have to disable updates for all applications.
Go to Settings> iTunes & App Store and turn off the switch at the top of the Updates screen. As you can see, the lack of a subscription to updates for just one application creates restrictions on the work of all other iOS applications. This is another argument for renewing or using the 3CX annual license.
Install 3CX v16 Update 3 Beta and new applications
If you have the latest version of 3CX installed, go to the “Updates” section in the server interface, select “v16 Update 3 Beta” and click “Download Selected”.
You can also install a clean distribution for Windows or Linux:
- Windows: 3CX v16 Update 3 Beta
- Linux: 3CX v16 on Debian 9 ISO - From the " 3CX Update Channel " screen, select "Beta".
- Manual installation on Debian and Raspbian: follow the installation instructions for Debian and Raspberry Pi .
Complete change log .
To try the new 3CX applications for mobile devices, register in the Beta testing program:
Do not install these beta versions in a working environment! Use them only to test new features - they are not covered by technical support.
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