New in Beta: Block Data API

We’re pleased to announce the beta availability of a new Block Data API.  It is now released for you to begin testing.  

What is the Block Data API?

For many use cases, it’s helpful to access blocks in WordPress as pure JSON data instead of HTML.  Doing so eliminates the need to write parsing layers to transform markup into JSON, and to keep those translation layers up to date with every version of Gutenberg.  All of this saves developer time and effort.  

While options have existed for accomplishing this with GraphQL when accessed via REST, translation layers were required. The Block Data API is a new REST API endpoint to retrieve the Gutenberg blocks of a single WordPress post.

What are some use cases for the Block Data API?

There are several known use cases for the Block Data API.  These include:

• Power your Node.js front end with less reliance on dangerouslySetInnerHTML. 
• Send data about your blocks to Machine Learning and AI applications.
• Use blocks in mobile applications with reduced processing.

This is not a comprehensive list.  As we go through the beta period, we’d love your feedback on how you use the Block Data API, what works well for you, and what you’d like to see improved.

While the API is in beta, you can offer that feedback by opening a GitHub issue. When it is released, we can provide support via normal means.

How do I get access to the Block Data API?

To install the plugin, go here and follow the instructions that have been provided

Where can I find more information/documentation?

The project Readme has comprehensive information on the plugin and its functions.

Call for Testing: Jetpack 9.1

This notice relates to the following platforms: VIP Go

The beta for Jetpack 9.1 is available now, and the download link is at the top of the beta release notice.

Jetpack 9.1 will be deployed to VIP Go on Thursday, November 12th, 2020. The upgrade is expected to be performed at 15:00 UTC (11:00am EDT). This deployment date and time is subject to change if issues are discovered during testing of the Jetpack release.

What is being added or changed?

Blocks

We’ve made changes and fixed bugs for multiple blocks in this release.

• Donations Block
• WhatsApp Block
• Form Block
• Pay with PayPal block

Dashboard

We’ve made some changes to the display of the Backup and Scan cards in the Jetpack dashboard, to better reflect the status of your site.

Lazy Images

This release refactored the JavaScript used for Lazy Images/Deferred Image Loading and resolved an issue where printing could result in images not loading.

A full list of changes is available in the release notes and the commit log.

What do I need to do?

We recommend:

1. Installing the beta release on your non-production sites using these instructions.
2. Running through the testing flows outlined in the Jetpack Testing Guide.

As you’re testing a few things to keep in mind:

• Check your browser’s JavaScript console and see if there are any errors reported by Jetpack there.
• Use “Debug Bar” or “Query Monitor” to help make PHP notices and warnings more noticeable and report anything you see.

Questions?

If you have testing feedback or questions related to this release (or Jetpack in general), please open a support ticket and we will be happy to assist.

Call for Testing: Jetpack 5.5 (Beta)

This notice relates to the following platforms: VIP Go

Jetpack 5.5 will be deployed to VIP Go on Wednesday, November 8, 2017. The upgrade is expected to be performed at 20:00 UTC (15:00 EST). This deployment date and time is subject to change if issues are discovered during testing of the Jetpack release.

The beta is available now, and the download link is at the bottom of the beta release notice.

What do I need to do?

We recommend testing your site against the new version before the release using these instructions.

If you have testing feedback or questions related to this release (or Jetpack in general), please open a support ticket with details and we will be happy to assist.

What is being added or changed?

This release includes various compatibility updates for the upcoming release of WordPress 4.9, including migrating Jetpack’s Gallery widget to the new core version.

Other highlights include:

• The upgrade process has been hardened to reduce database load on high traffic sites.
• Performance improvements across various parts of the Jetpack dashboard interface and the Jetpack Sitemaps module.
• wp.me shortlinks now always use https.

And many more enhancements and bug fixes. You can find a full list of changes in the release notes and the commit log.

 

Call for Testing: Jetpack 5.4 (Beta)

This notice relates to the following platforms: VIP Go

Jetpack 5.4 will be deployed to VIP Go on Wednesday, October 4, 2017. (This deployment date is subject to change if issues are discovered during testing of the Jetpack release.)

The beta is available now, and the download link is at the bottom of the beta release notice.

What is being added or changed?

Various improvements have been made to the Jetpack connection flow and a new Welcome screen has been added to guide owners on how to best make use of Jetpack and its features. You can now also add menu items to the WordPress.com Toolbar.

Other highlights include:

• Improvements to various widget, including adding Schema.org markup to the Contact Info Widget.
• Improvement to various shortcodes and embeds including the display of Facebook posts.
• Improvements to the Search module.

You can find a full list of changes in the release notes and the commit log.

What do I need to do?

We recommend testing your site against the new version before the release using these instructions.

If you have testing feedback or questions related to this release (or Jetpack in general), please open a support ticket with details and we will be happy to assist.

Call for Testing: Jetpack 5.3 (Beta)

This notice relates to the following platforms: VIP Go

Jetpack 5.3 will be deployed to VIP Go on Wednesday, September 6, 2017. (This deployment date is subject to change if issues are discovered during testing of the Jetpack release.)

The beta is available now, and the download link is at the bottom of the beta release notice.

What is being added or changed?

The Sitemaps module has been significantly refactored to make generation more reliable. Plus, you can now preview your site from WordPress.com.

Other highlights include:

• Performance and design improvements and various bug fixes for the Jetpack admin interface.
• Compatibility fixes for plugins that use TinyMCE.
• The Omnisearch module is being removed.

You can find a full list of changes in the release notes and the commit log.

What do I need to do?

We recommend testing your site against the new version before the release using these instructions.

If you have testing feedback or questions related to this release (or Jetpack in general), please open a support ticket with details and we will be happy to assist.

Call for Testing: Jetpack 5.2 (Beta)

This notice relates to the following platforms: VIP Go

Jetpack 5.2 will be deployed to VIP Go on Wednesday, August 2, 2017. (This deployment date is subject to change if issues are discovered during testing of the Jetpack release.)

The beta is available now, and the download link is at the bottom of the beta release notice.

What is being added or changed?

The Contact Forms module now uses the TinyMCE Views API to help you to visually create forms directly within the editor.

Other changes include:

• Code cleanup and refactoring for the Comment Likes feature introduced in Jetpack 5.1.
• Fixed a 404 related to the Open Sans font and improvements related to how it’s enqueued.
• Fixed inconsistencies between wp-admin and WordPress.com for Related Posts settings.

You can find a full list of changes in the release notes and the commit log.

What do I need to do?

We recommend testing your site against the new version before the release using these instructions.

If you have testing feedback or questions related to this release (or Jetpack in general), please open a support ticket with details and we will be happy to assist.

Call for Testing: Jetpack 5.1 (Beta)

This notice relates to the following platforms: VIP Go

Jetpack 5.1 will be deployed to VIP Go on Thursday, July 6, 2017. (This deployment date is subject to change if issues are discovered during testing of the Jetpack release.)

The beta is available now, and the download link is at the bottom of the beta release notice.

What is being added or changed?

This release introduces Comment Likes, a fun and easy way to demonstrate your appreciation or agreement for comments shared on your site. This feature has been available to WordPress.com sites for some time now and is now available for all Jetpack sites as well.

Other changes include:

• Email sharing is now disabled by default unless it’s explicitly enabled by a filter or Akismet is active.
• UI improvements for handling VaultPress connection and registration errors.
• Numerous bug fixes and improvements to widgets (Flickr, EU Cookie Law Banner), Masterbar, Photon, and more.

You can find a full list of changes in the release notes and the commit log.

What do I need to do?

We recommend testing your site against the new version before the release using these instructions.

If you have testing feedback or questions related to this release (or Jetpack in general), please open a support ticket with details and we will be happy to assist.

Call for Testing: Jetpack 5.0 (Beta)

This notice relates to the following platforms: VIP Go

Jetpack 5.0 will be deployed to VIP Go on Wednesday, June 7, 2017. (This deployment date is subject to change if issues are discovered during testing of the Jetpack release.)

The beta is available now, and the download link is at the bottom of the beta release notice.

What is being added or changed?

Of particular interest to VIP Go sites in this release is the inclusion of the Jetpack Site Search module. This is an enhanced version of our VIP Search Add-On and ships directly with Jetpack. If you’re already using our vip-go-elasticsearch plugin, we’ll have details soon on how to transition over to the new Jetpack module. If you’re not using the Add-On but would like to learn more, please get in touch and we’d be happy to share more details.

Other highlights include:

• Performance and reliability updates to the communication layer between Jetpack sites and WordPress.com.
• Compatibility updates with the new media widgets shipping in WordPress 4.8.
• Custom CSS now supports the animation-fill-mode, fill, and stroke properties.
• Numerous bug fixes and improvements to the refreshed admin interface, Publicize, Omnisearch, and more.

You can find a full list of changes in the release notes and the commit log.

What do I need to do?

We recommend testing your site against the new version before the release using these instructions.

If you have testing feedback or questions related to this release (or Jetpack in general), please open a support ticket with details and we will be happy to assist.

Call for Testing: Jetpack 4.9 (Beta)

This notice relates to the following platforms: VIP Go

Jetpack 4.9 will be deployed to VIP Go on Wednesday, May 3, 2017. (This deployment date is subject to change if issues are discovered during testing of the Jetpack release.)

You can download the latest beta release here.

What is being added or changed?

Some highlights include:

• Addition of new widgets including Flickr and EU Cookie Law Notice.
• Numerous bug fixes and improvements to the refreshed admin interface, Contact Form and Protect modules, and more.

You can find a full list of changes in the release notes and the commit log.

What do I need to do?

We recommend testing your site against the new version before the release using these instructions.

If you have testing feedback or questions related to this release (or Jetpack in general), please open a support ticket with details and we will be happy to assist.

Call for Testing: Jetpack 4.8 (Beta)

This notice relates to the following platforms: VIP Go

Jetpack 4.8 will be deployed to VIP Go on Thursday, April 6, 2017. (This deployment date is subject to change if issues are discovered during testing of the Jetpack release.)

You can download the latest beta release here.

What is being added or changed?

Some highlights include:

• A refreshed admin interface that simplifies management of Jetpack’s modules and settings.
• The WordPress.com Toolbar, a global toolbar that replaces the default admin bar and helps centralize your WordPress experience with quick links to all your sites, notifications, and more.
• A new MailChimp Subscriber Widget for capturing incoming leads.
• Numerous bug fixes and enhancements.

You can find a full list of changes in the commit log.

What do I need to do?

We recommend testing your site against the new version before the release. Testing your site against new versions of WordPress and plugins, particularly major plugins like Jetpack, helps us help you with useful and stable software.

We have instructions for testing your site against the Jetpack betas and release candidates.

If you have testing feedback or questions related to this release (or Jetpack in general), please open a support ticket with details and we’d be happy to assist.