WENVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.433 Hi! Welcome to uStore version 16.1. 00:00:03.433 --> 00:00:09.066 This release introduces an update to support changes in the UPS delivery provider, 00:00:09.066 --> 00:00:16.399 and the first phase of an exciting new uStore feature that makes it possible to add custom functionality to storefronts 00:00:16.400 --> 00:00:21.300 via a widget mechanism. Let’s take a closer look at these items. 00:00:21.300 --> 00:00:28.800 If you have a UPS account, uStore is able to integrate with UPS to get shipping prices using your account. 00:00:28.800 --> 00:00:34.400 UPS has announced changes to the method of authentication to access the API. 00:00:34.400 --> 00:00:40.233 uStore 16.1 includes an update to support the new authentication method. 00:00:40.233 --> 00:00:45.766 Currently UPS is setting up new accounts only using the new authentication method, 00:00:45.766 --> 00:00:51.699 and access using the older keys will be available only until June 3rd 2024. 00:00:51.700 --> 00:00:59.233 So, if your uStore server has a UPS account setup using access keys and you upgrade to version 16.1, 00:00:59.233 --> 00:01:06.833 you will see this prompt to contact UPS to get new credentials and update the uStore UPS configuration. 00:01:06.833 --> 00:01:12.433 uStore 16.1 also includes the first phase of uStore widgets. 00:01:12.433 --> 00:01:18.666 Widgets are pieces of code that can be injected into various places in the uStore user interface. 00:01:18.666 --> 00:01:23.899 For example, a widget could be used to add a notice above or below the header, 00:01:23.900 --> 00:01:27.066 or to add contact details into the footer. 00:01:27.066 --> 00:01:34.666 XMPie envisages that in future there will be a library of widgets available to add all kinds of functionality. 00:01:34.666 --> 00:01:37.699 Some will be free of charge, and some paid. 00:01:37.700 --> 00:01:47.133 Some will be created by XMPie R&D, some by Professional Services, and even 3rd party React JS developers can create widgets. 00:01:47.133 --> 00:01:52.499 A sample Widget project and readme file is available from XMPie support. 00:01:52.500 --> 00:01:57.400 Let’s see how the widgets are added to uStore and then applied to your stores. 00:01:57.400 --> 00:02:04.633 In the presets area is a new setting for widgets. Here you can upload new widgets to your uStore server. 00:02:04.633 --> 00:02:08.633 To start, I will upload the sample widget from the SDK. 00:02:08.633 --> 00:02:16.199 After uploading, you can see that the store administrator has control to make widgets active or inactive here. 00:02:16.200 --> 00:02:23.566 As new widget versions are released, you can upload a widget with the same id to replace the existing version. 00:02:23.566 --> 00:02:31.866 The next step is to go to a store where you want to add the widget. Widgets are set and configured in the theme customization window. 00:02:31.866 --> 00:02:35.699 You can see a new section for widgets here. 00:02:35.700 --> 00:02:41.733 Simply click to add a widget. Turn it on to start configuring the settings. 00:02:41.733 --> 00:02:46.666 Widgets work inside the theme, so changes here are working in draft mode, 00:02:46.666 --> 00:02:52.366 and will not impact your live store until you click to publish the changes. 00:02:52.366 --> 00:02:56.932 Select the widget you want from the list of widgets installed on your server. 00:02:56.933 --> 00:03:01.966 Then select the slot or the position in the theme where you want the widget to appear. 00:03:01.966 --> 00:03:06.066 These are the slots available in the default Aqua Blue theme. 00:03:06.066 --> 00:03:13.332 If the selected store is using a custom theme, the slots available will be different depending on the theme. 00:03:13.333 --> 00:03:20.533 Custom themes created for older versions of uStore will need to be updated to add the widget slots. 00:03:20.533 --> 00:03:26.566 Now, for this first release, there is only this one text area provided to configure the widget. 00:03:26.566 --> 00:03:32.366 Future versions will provide a better user interface here for customizing the widgets. 00:03:32.366 --> 00:03:38.066 For example, controls similar to setting up product properties or customization steps. 00:03:38.066 --> 00:03:46.099 The sample widget is a very basic example and includes one text string that is passed into the widget using this JSON. 00:03:46.100 --> 00:03:53.133 You can see the widget appears here with some text that is hard coded, and the text from the configuration is appended. 00:03:53.133 --> 00:03:57.766 Changing the configuration will update the preview in a minute or two. 00:03:57.766 --> 00:04:04.466 To refresh faster, click outside the text box to save the draft sooner and update the preview. 00:04:04.466 --> 00:04:11.966 Once you are happy with the preview, remember to click Publish to send the changes to your live storefront. 00:04:11.966 --> 00:04:15.832 Now, you can add several widgets to your store’s design. 00:04:15.833 --> 00:04:21.866 So, to help organize things, you can rename the widgets so their purpose is more clear. 00:04:21.866 --> 00:04:25.599 The uStore team hopes that you find these updates helpful 00:04:25.600 --> 00:04:32.066 and promises further enhancements to the widget UI and the release more out-of-the box widgets.