Appspace is a scalable, enterprise-grade, cloud-based SaaS (Software as a Service) platform, that enables organizations to centrally manage the publishing and distribution of content to thousands of endpoint devices. Appspace combines user-friendliness with powerful and robust features, enabling organizations to swiftly and securely deploy, manage, and control content of any kind from any location via a web browser. By utilizing our user-friendly HTML5-based Appspace App, we may present responsive content with exceptional broadcast and picture quality.

What’s in this article:

• Supported Appspace App Built In Devices  (separate article)
  • Cisco Webex and Collaboration Endpoints (CE)
  • Crestron
  • IAdea
  • Logitech
  • Mersive
  • Neat
  • Poly

Appspace App for Employees (Mobile)

The Appspace App for Employees is specifically designed for mobile devices while providing all the same functionality as the Employee View on web browsers. This is ideal for employees as it provides quick access to corporate content, perform workspace reservations, or schedule meetings with colleagues right off their mobile devices.

Appspace Certified

Android

Guides

• Configure Employee View on Mobile Devices

iOS

Guides

• Configure Employee View on Mobile Devices

Appspace App for Devices

The Appspace App for Devices supports a multitude of industry-leading device platforms and operating systems such as Chrome OS, Android, iOS, BrightSign, Cisco, Crestron, etc, that meet different business requirements including playback performance, physical dimensions, hardware features, content delivery modes (streaming or caching), and general workplace experiences.

Designed primarily for the workspace experience, the Appspace App for Devices is ideal for the following solutions:

• Digital signage on single or multiple display screens, video walls, and media players.
• Room scheduling on tablets, desk pucks, or interactive display panels.
• Interactive touch-screen kiosks for visitor invitations, wayfinding, and employee directories.
• Enterprise TVs for displaying channels and live streams on system-on-chip (SOC) TVs.

Most of these industry-leading devices come with internal storage, allowing content from Appspace to be cached.

Appspace Certified

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.
• 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 App for Devices 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 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 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.

Device Limitations

• The RSS Ticker animation stutters when displayed on BrightSign devices due to technical limitations, caused by iframe loading issues.
• On BrightSign 9.0 devices, videos that have been configured to be displayed in Portrait are being displayed in Landscape due to a bug. Appspace has already begun working on this, and a fix will be available in a future release.

Guides

• Configure Appspace for Devices App on BrightSign
• Configure Appspace App on BrightSign with BSN.cloud

Chrome OS

Strengths

• Industry-leading HTML5 compatibility.
• Google Chrome Device Manager (CDM) for large-scale deployments. (not supported for ChromeOS Flex)
• 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).
• ChromeOS Flex is a lightweight, cloud-based operating system that is designed for easy management and optimized for users who primarily rely on web applications and basic computing tasks. If your device does not come with ChromeOS Flex pre-installed, please refer to the following guide for instructions on upgrading: https://support.google.com/chromeosflex/answer/11552529?hl=en

Device Limitations

• (ChromeOS Flex only) ChromeOS Flex devices cannot bulk register devices as they are in standalone mode (installed via the Chrome Web Store).
• (ChromeOS Flex only) Advanced Registration using the CDM Policy is not supported.

Guides

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

• Configure Wallpaper/Screensaver for Google Meet Devices

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 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)

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.

Summary

• 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.

Device Limitations

• The device may crash and reboot, after several playbacks of multiple cards in a channel playlist when in interactive mode.
• Below is a list of LG webOS 4.0 issues that occur when Appspace App is in interactive mode:
  • A UI alignment issue when scrolling up or down; the channel group and channel name texts are not aligned at the bottom of the thumbnail image.
  • Flickering issues occur during the following instances:
    • When channel playlist aspect ratio is set to Uniform.
    • When loading video after an image playback.
  • Keyboard and mouse intermittently get disconnected or do not function when navigating channels.
  • Back button on the remote control does not function in the Device info page.
• Below is a list of LG webOS 4.1 and webOS 6.0 firmware limitations that we have found when using Appspace App, that we are currently trying to fix:
  • Video in playlist channel is stretched during playback when displayed in portrait mode.
  • Unable to stretch content based on video wall tile matrix and resolution settings.
  • YouTube card content in an advanced channel is zoomed-in during playback.
• Video in an advanced channel is zoomed-in during playback when displayed in landscape mode.

Guides

• Configure Appspace For Devices 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 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

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.

Summary

• 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

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.

Summary

• 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

Microsoft 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.

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

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.

Summary

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

Device Limitations

• Appspace recommends that audio or video with audio are not displayed, as there are limited controls for volume which could be disruptive during playback.
• On SSSP Tizen 6.5, display orientations are limited to only Portrait or the standard 90-degree Landscape orientation during playback. All other display orientations are not supported.
• On SSSP Tizen 6.5, when displaying back-to-back video content, the device skips the second video while displaying a blank screen, and proceeds to play the third video.

Guides

• Configure Appspace For Devices App on Samsung SSP Tizen

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.

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)

Cisco Interactive Experience Platform (IEC)