Appspace Supported Devices & Operating Systems

The Appspace App supports various industry-leading platforms and a broad range of devices that meet different use cases including playback performance, physical dimensions, hardware features, content delivery modes (streaming or caching), and experiences such as digital signage, room scheduling, wayfinding kiosks, or enterprise TV. 

Operating Systems

We have categorized this section based on devices that run on our full-fledged Appspace App that are ideal for various experiences, and devices designed primarily for workplace collaborations that have customized integrations allowing the Appspace App to display only a wallpaper, simple signage, or the room scheduling app. 

Appspace App Devices

Listed below are operating systems and devices that are compatible with all (or most of) the features and functions available with the Appspace App for digital signage, video wall, room scheduling, enterprise TV, and System on Chip (SoC) displays.

Android

Strengths:

• Android operates on a wide variety of devices and TVs.
• Strong performance when minimum hardware specifications are met.
• Deployment and updates are made easy through an MDM (Mobile Device Management) service.
• On smartphones and tablets, the Appspace App can run as a standard app that is launched by the user.
• Ideal for both cloud and on-prem Appspace deployments.
• Most devices are attractively priced.

Challenges:

• Requires MDM (Mobile device management) software when used in device mode. However, this is extremely advisable when deploying Android.
• Android devices do not come with a common hardware specification, so it is advisable to check compatibility before purchasing.

Bottom Line:

• If you wish to deploy Appspace on a wide variety of devices using a single OS, then you should consider Android a serious option.

How to Configure:

• Please refer to Install Appspace App on Android.

BrightSign

Strengths:

• BrightSign develops its own hardware, firmware, and software.
• A slim, fan-less design is ideal for even the most challenging environments.
• Good 4K video playback performance on the XT4, XT3, and XD3 devices.
• The XT4 devices are designed to support Dolby Vision and HDR10+ for displaying vibrant colors with our App’s HTML5 engine.
• Good multicast video playback on all BrightSign devices.
• Power over Ethernet (PoE) support on XT4 and XT3 devices.
• A range of devices to meet different performance and configuration requirements.
• OPS module provides slot-in compatibility with several leading manufacturer’s display products (e.g., NEC).
• Proprietary device management platform available from BrightSign, offering additional hardware management tools.
• Ideal for both cloud and on-prem Appspace deployments.

Challenges:

• A microSD card must be purchased separately for each BrightSign device. BrightSign is working on a solution for Appspace customers.
• To display text on top of video requires some workarounds; you must add the Custom.media.video.layerindex property to your device.
• The LS Series 3 models are rather low-power devices, and therefore it is recommended to use only simple images and cards without animation, with transitions disabled.

Bottom Line:

• BrightSign devices are purpose-built for digital signage and kiosks. The company’s Series 4 redesign shows its commitment to customer experience and reliability.

How to Configure:

• Please refer to Install Appspace App on BrightSign.

Chrome OS

Strengths:

• Industry-leading HTML5 compatibility.
• Google Chrome Device Manager (CDM) for large scale deployments.
• Class-leading browser, resulting in high reliability
• Strong performance for h.264/MP4 video formats.
• Configuration for single-app/kiosk mode.
• Great option for cloud deployments.

Challenges:

• Limited video format support (e.g., no multicast support, no support for video formats other than .mp4 h.264).
• Support for RS232 and PoE on limited devices.
• CDM licenses required at a fee.

Bottom Line:

• Chrome OS sets the standard for HTML5 compatibility. Chrome devices are highly compatible with Appspace features and functions. However, performance may vary depending on hardware specifications (i.e., a Chromebit is ideal for basic signage deployments; but for more rigorous performance requirements, a Chromebox or Chromebox Commercial is the way to go).

How to Configure:

• Please refer to Install Appspace App on Chrome OS.
• Please refer to Configure Chrome OS Devices with Chrome Enterprise (CDM).

iOS

Strengths:

• Apple develops its own hardware, firmware, and software.
• The Appspace App can run as a standard app that is launched by the user, or in single app/kiosk mode.
• Excellent single app experience on tablets.
• Ideal for both cloud and on-prem Appspace deployments.

Challenges:

• Requires MDM (Mobile device management) software when used in device mode. However, this is extremely advisable when deploying iOS.
• Customers may find differences in the rendering of web content due to iOS devices relying on the Safari browser.

Bottom Line:

• If you wish to deploy Appspace to keep your teams up to date with what’s going on, then the Appspace App for iOS is going to be a big part of this deployment.

How to Configure:

• Please refer to Install Appspace App on iOS.

LG webOS

Strengths:

• As a System-on-Chip (SoC) TV solution, customers do not have to purchase a separate media player device.
• Supports the majority of Appspace platform features and functions.
• Good multicast video playback.
• Compatible with Appspace device tasks.
• Use the LG TV remote control to navigate the Appspace App.
• Ideal for both cloud and on-prem Appspace deployments.

Challenges:

• Performance issues on some transitions. By default, transitions are disabled.

Bottom Line:

• If you wish to deploy an affordable all-in-one TV and media player solution, then this is a serious consideration. In use cases where smooth transitions between video content are required, we would recommend a separate media player option.

How to Configure:

• Please refer to Install Appspace App on LG webOS.

Linux Ubuntu

Strengths:

• Linux Ubuntu is available on a variety of industrial devices.
• Strong performance with lower minimum hardware requirements and lower cost.
• Ideal for both cloud and on-prem Appspace deployments.
• Automatic App updates via the Conanical Snapcraft store.

Challenges:

• The variety of Linux distributions, hardware manufacturers and firmware specifications can result in some devices to not perform as well as the reference models above.
• No kiosk mode available out of the box so there is a reliance on the device manufacturer to provide a single-app playback experience if that is required.
• Since Linux Ubuntu OS distributions can be customized it may require extra work from Systems Administrators when preparing and automating the deployment. Customers are encouraged to apply their own standards and tools to OS automation, lockdown, and updates.

Bottom Line:

• If you are looking to deploy Appspace on a wide variety of devices using a single OS, then you should consider Linux Ubuntu 18.04 as a serious option. Linux Ubuntu devices tend to have great technical specifications at a lower cost and tend to perform better due to the lower overhead of the OS. However, we do recommend sticking with manufacturers that provide a robust set of built-in tools that can lock down the OS to only run the Appspace App.

How to Configure:

• Please refer to Install Appspace App on Linux Ubuntu.

MacOS

Strengths:

• The limited number of macOS hardware models leads to better optimization and performance as well as OS stability.
• Ideal for both cloud and on-prem Appspace deployments.
• Does not require the macOS App Store for app updates.

Challenges:

• No kiosk mode available out of the box so there is a reliance on the System Administrators, or 3rd party tools, to provide a single-app playback experience if that is required.
• macOS is a desktop operating system so it may require extra work from Systems Administrators when preparing and automating the deployment. Customers are encouraged to apply their own standards and tools to OS automation, lockdown, and updates.

• Deploying Appspace on  Apple macOS devices will result in a consistent performance across the various models since devices that run macOS have high minimum specifications.

How to Configure:

• Please refer to Install Appspace App on MacOS.

MediaVue

Strengths:

• Purpose-built HTML5 devices.
• A range of devices to meet different performance and configuration requirements.
• Ideal for video wall setup.
• Good 4K and multicast video playback performance.
• Proprietary device management platform available from MediaVue, offering additional hardware management tools.
• Devices come preloaded with the Appspace App.
• Ideal for both cloud and on-prem Appspace deployments.

Challenges:

• There is a fee for MediaVue’s device management platform. However, this approach is not uncommon.

• MediaVue devices are purpose-built for digital signage, kiosks, and video walls, and are highly compatible with Appspace features and functions no matter the use case or deployment environment.

How to Configure:

• Please refer to Install Appspace App on MediaVue.

Samsung Smart Signage Platform (SSSP) Tizen

Strengths:

• As a System-on-Chip (SoC) TV solution, customers do not have to purchase a separate media player device.
• Good for displaying full-screen images and text in UHD resolution.
• Use the Samsung TV remote to navigate the Appspace App.
• Ideal for both cloud and on-prem Appspace deployments.

Challenges:

• Performance issues on some transitions. By default, transitions are disabled.

Bottom Line:

• If you wish to deploy an affordable all-in-one TV and media player solution, then this is a suitable consideration

Universal Windows Platform (UWP)

Strengths:

• Windows 10 operates on a wide variety of displays, TVs, and tablets.
• Strong performance when minimum hardware specifications are met.
• Ideal for both cloud and on-prem Appspace deployments.

Challenges:

• A large variety of hardware manufacturers and firmware specifications, some of which may not enable Appspace to perform as well as the reference models above.
• Not all versions of Windows 10 can run kiosk mode, which is typically a mandatory requirement when deploying.
• Customers may find differences in the rendering of web content due to the reliance on the Edge browser.
• The generic nature of Windows 10 OS may require extra work from Systems Administrators when preparing and automating the deployment. Customers are encouraged to apply their own standards and tools to OS automation, lockdown, and updates.

Bottom Line:

• If you are looking to deploy Appspace on a wide variety of devices using a single OS, then you should consider Windows 10 as a serious option. However, we do recommend sticking with known brand manufacturers such as Dell, HP, and others of similar size.

How to Configure:

• Please refer to Install Appspace App on Universal Windows Platform (UWP).

Windows

Strengths:

• Windows 10 IOT is available on a variety of industrial devices.
• Strong performance when minimum hardware specifications are met.
• Ideal for both cloud and on-prem Appspace deployments.
• Does not require the Windows store for App updates.

Challenges:

• A large variety of hardware manufacturers and firmware specifications, some of which may not enable Appspace to perform as well as the reference models above.
• No kiosk mode available out of the box so there is a reliance on the device manufacturer to provide a single-app playback experience if that is required.
• The generic nature of Windows 10 OS may require extra work from Systems Administrators when preparing and automating the deployment. Customers are encouraged to apply their own standards and tools to OS automation, lockdown, and updates.

Bottom Line:

• If you are looking to deploy Appspace on a wide variety of devices using a single OS, then you should consider Windows 10 IOT as a serious option. However, we do recommend sticking with manufacturers that provide a robust set of built-in tools that can lock down the OS to only play back the Appspace App.

How to Configure:

• Please refer to Install Appspace App on Windows.

Cisco Interactive Experience Platform (IEC)

Appspace Collaborative Solutions & Devices

Listed below are workplace collaboration devices that have customized Appspace functions to display a wallpaper, simple signage, or the room scheduling app, ideal for conference rooms or huddle spaces. 

Cisco Collaboration Endpoints (CE)

Strengths:

• The Collaboration Endpoint devices are already in place as they are used for video conferencing. The Appspace integrations bring additional features to existing infrastructure to enhance corporate communication.
• The Appspace integrations do not interfere with Cisco functionality.
• Appspace does not just change the wallpaper but provides the end user with a lot of the features that are traditionally available only on digital signage devices, like the ability to schedule content, use Alerts and create good looking content by leveraging Appspace Cards.

Challenges:

• Currently the integration requires an external Appspace App supported device, known as a caching device, which is responsible for uploading the content to the endpoints. The caching device needs to access the Appspace Cloud and be on the same local network as the endpoints. (for CE 9.8 and earlier)
• Mass registration requires a desktop tool developed by Cisco to install the macro. (for CE 9.8 and earlier)
• Constantly streaming content may increase bandwidth usage. Check out our Managing Bandwidth in Appspace guide for help. 

Bottom Line:

• The Cisco Collaboration Endpoints are purpose-built for conference rooms. The wallpaper is a secondary feature, hence, content should be limited to using images and cards only. Alternately turn on Signage mode.
• Other than a few Appspace App supported devices that are responsible for the content sync, there is no new hardware investment necessary as the display devices are already in place.

How to Configure:

• Please refer to Setup Wallpaper Displays for Cisco Webex Share.
• Please refer to Setup Signage Mode for Cisco Webex Board and Webex Room Series.
• Please refer to Setup Wallpaper Displays for Cisco Collaboration Endpoints CE9.9 and later.
• Please refer to Setup Wallpaper Displays for Cisco Collaboration Endpoints CE9.8 and earlier.

Crestron

Strengths:

• Crestron develops its own hardware, firmware, and management software.
• Proprietary device management platform is available from Crestron, offering additional hardware management tools (like automatic firmware updates).
• Mercury and AirMedia devices are already in place as they are used for video-conferencing and screen sharing. The Appspace integration brings additional features to the existing infrastructure to enhance corporate communication.
• The TSS device, with a slim, fan-less design is ideal for room booking locations, either mounted outside the room or on a stand inside.
• The TSS device is PoE so it does not need a separate power source.
• The Appspace App is part of the Crestron firmware, so the setup is easy as the feature just needs to be enabled. No separate installation needed.

Challenges:

• The Crestron devices stream all content from Appspace, so if it reboots while the network is out then it cannot be used until the network connection is restored.
• Constantly streaming content may increase bandwidth usage. Check out our Managing Bandwidth in Appspace guide for help. 

Bottom Line:

• Crestron Mercury and AirMedia devices are purpose-built for conference rooms. Digital signage is a secondary feature, hence, content should be limited to simple signage by using images and cards only.
• Crestron TSS panels are purpose-built for interactive room booking. The content should be limited to the Room Schedule card only.

How to Configure:

• Please refer to Setup Digital Signage in Conference Rooms for Crestron AirMedia/Mercury.
• Please refer to Setup Meeting Room Scheduling for Crestron Touch Panels (TSS).

IAdea

Strengths:

• IAdea develops its own hardware, firmware, and management software.
• The IAdea Smart Signboard device, with a slim, fan-less design while incorporating programable LED side lights for immediate visible communication of room status is ideal for room booking locations, especially when mounted outside the room.
• The IAdea Smart Signboard device is PoE so it does not need a separate power source.

Challenges:

• The IAdea Smart Signboards devices stream all content from Appspace, so if it reboots while the network is out then it cannot be used until the network connection is restored.
• Constantly streaming content may increase bandwidth usage. Check out our Managing Bandwidth in Appspace guide for help. 

Bottom Line:

• IAdea Smart Signboards devices are purpose-built for interactive room booking. The content should be limited to the Room Schedule card only.

How to Configure:

• Please refer to Setup Meeting Room Scheduling for IAdea Smart Signboards.

Mersive

Strengths:

• Mersive develops its own hardware, firmware, and management software.
• Proprietary device management platform is available from Mersive, offering additional hardware management tools.
• Mersive devices are already in place as they are used for video-conferencing and screen sharing. The Appspace integration brings additional features to the existing infrastructure to enhance corporate communication.
• Quick setup by just enabling the digital signage feature, and entering the Appspace App (PWA) link.

Challenges:

• The Mersive devices stream all content from Appspace, so if it reboots while the network is out then it cannot be used until the network connection is restored.
• Only the Mersive Solstice Pod Gen 3 device is PoE so it does not need a separate power source.
• Constantly streaming content may increase bandwidth usage. Check out our Managing Bandwidth in Appspace guide for help. 

Bottom Line:

• Mersive devices are purpose-built for conference rooms. Digital signage is a secondary feature, hence, content should be limited to simple signage by using images and cards only.

How to Configure:

• Please refer to Setup Digital Signage in Conference Rooms for Mersive Solstice Pod.