Supported Devices & Operating Systems

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.
• 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.

Summary:

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

Guides:

• Configure Appspace for Devices App on Android

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 manufacturers’ 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.

Summary:

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

Guides:

• • • Configure Appspace for Devices App on BrightSign

    • Configure Appspace App on BrightSign with BSN.cloud

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.
    • A 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.

Summary:

• • • 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).

Guides:

• • • Configure Appspace for Devices App on Chrome OS
    • Configure Chrome OS Devices with Chrome Enterprise (CDM)

    • Configure Wallpaper/Screensaver for Google Meet Devices

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 an MDM (Mobile Device Management) software. 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.
    • Customers using the visitor management module will require a device be running iOS 15+ for the use of a camera functionality.

Summary:

• • • 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.

Guides:

• • • Configure Appspace For Devices App on iOS

    • Configure Appspace for Devices App on iOS with VMware Workspace ONE (AirWatch)

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 Canonical Snapcraft store.

Challenges:

• • • The variety of Linux distributions, hardware manufacturers, and firmware specifications can result in some devices not performing 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.

Summary:

• • • 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.

Guides:

• • • Configure Appspace For Devices App on Linux Ubuntu

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.

Guides:

• • • Configure Appspace For Devices App on MacOS

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.

Guides:

• • • Configure Appspace For Devices App on MediaVue

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.

Summary:

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

Guides:

• • • Configure Appspace For Devices App on Samsung SSP Tizen

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.

Summary:

• • • 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.

Guides:

• • • Configure Appspace For Devices App on Universal Windows Platform (UWP)

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.

Summary:

• • • 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 playback the Appspace App.

Guides:

• • • Configure Appspace For Devices App on Windows

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.
    • To make it easier for Cisco device administrators to access Appspace content, Appspace and Cisco are offering another integration, which will enable Cisco users to access the Appspace content management system directly via the Webex Control Hub, to display engaging digital signage and/or interactive content when the device is not in use as a videoconferencing tool.

Challenges:

• • • Constantly streaming content may increase bandwidth usage. Check out our Managing Bandwidth in Appspace guide for help.
    • Currently, the Collaboration Endpoint device 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 only).
    • Mass registration requires a desktop tool developed by Cisco to install the macro (for CE 9.8 and earlier only).

Summary:

• • • 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 in Collaboration Endpoint devices (for CE 9.8 and earlier only), there is no new hardware investment necessary as the display devices are already in place.

Guides:

• • • Configure Appspace Signage for Cisco Webex Control Hub
    • Setup Wallpaper Displays for Cisco Webex Share
    • Setup Signage Mode for Cisco Webex Board and Webex Room Series
    • Setup Wallpaper Displays for Cisco Collaboration Endpoints CE9.9 and later
    • Setup Wallpaper Displays for Cisco Collaboration Endpoints CE9.8 and earlier

Strengths:

• • • Crestron develops its own hardware, firmware, and management software.
    • A 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, fanless 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.

Summary:

• • • 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.

Guides:

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

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 sidelights 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.

Summary:

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

Guides:

• • • Setup Meeting Room Scheduling for IAdea Smart Signboards