Hi all,
With the close of DSE2012, My brain fried with soaking up knowledge in Digital Signage, I must say that when transparent displays are a commodity, the advancements in screen glass from Corning, add in 3D stereoscopic glasses free displays and touch interfaces, we are about to enter the future world.
Advertising, and the way we see media will drastically change in the coming few years. Moreover, the way we interact with machines. During the keynote Peter Bocko from Corning shared their concept of the future. This video was originally made to inspire the employees, but they have made it pubic. Admittedly, some of the ideas shown in this video are ideas that others have made, but may be made possible with their products. Id like to share as I find it personally inspirational.
If you are like me, my first thought was "damn, FINGER PRINTS ON EVERYTHING. I did immediately after go to the Corning booth to ask if they were working on glass that does not pick up finger prints. This is confirmed (their competitors are also doing the same).
Some other really interesting things that wil change the landscape are that of transparent displays. I see a virtually limitless application of this. From ambient applications, education, and of course retail. But imagine, store fridge doors showing your favorite pop slowly pouring into the glass that you see through and then not... the ideas here are great. From store windows, to museum, and school windows that may educate children and augment their reality in the classroom (this i thought of, but I am sure I am not the first). Have a look here at transparent display in action. Sorry folks if you see a split image, this was filmed in 3D. If you have a 3D screen, then you are lucky :)
A large deal of the floor was content management companies, display manufacturers, video matrix switching gear, and rather sharp looking touch screen manufacturers. Large scale format displays and flexible large scale such as Nanolumins.
Among the display manufacturers, LG had some rather great looking displays. VERY thin. Some 40" were only about 2cm thick. Although, very cool, one has to wonder about the MTBF (mean time before failure) on units like this. Nor could they be displayed in public because I am sure they can be easily broken.
With the displays, were more and more auto stereoscopic displays (3D w/o the need for glasses) Since I was at InfoComm in 2010, I have to say that the technology has gotten better in that there "sweet spots" are more, and the clarity and resolution is much better. This class of displays is an area where I have a keen interest in. Its marketing and educational values are quite apparent to me.
There were also new classes of vending machines. With LFD (Large Format Displays) that were touch screens rather than clunky buttons complete with (or maybe it was a complete mock up, I did not ask) Google Wallet integration. Perhaps it was a concept machine.
There were also store shelf display combinations and touch conversion kets a plenty! Its becoming much easier to buy conversion kits (which are screen frame overlays that report touch to your computer) making it possible to turn any display (and existing ones) into touch.
I really think that in a few years we will see that the way we see marketing will change a great deal. Its bringing us closer to the mindset of many of the visionaries of this time. As always, if you have any questions, please just ask!
Cheers!
//Ian\\
6.3.12
Digital Signage Certification
Well,
I should note here that I am not certified YET, I must go write the exam which I will have the details on in the coming week.
Although I have some signage experience, I must admit that there is so much information to absorb. I would like nothing more than to take in other sessions. To name a few, Digital Signage and NFC, Digital Signs Hardware Details, and most importantly, the digital signage tour of Las Vegas (that I will have to do on my own tonight). However, since I am quite new to this world, I (and my work place Trapeze Media) rightfuly decided that this certification was the best bet.
My brain is full an tired now, but I am sure I have it in me to get this out there. Firstly, one of the most important things in planning a Digital Signage solution (here after I'll replace Digital Signage with DS, because I am lazy. There I said it!) is the 7 key elements. They are
You have about 3-6 seconds to capture the attention of your audience. In most cases they are in transit and will pass by an DS installation in said time. There is a large degree of psychodynamics here. But to be honest, content is not what puts the drive behind me personally, its the technology and making it all tick. But planners, be warned... content, content, content!
More interestingly, retail only makes up 1/3rd of the DS market space and is the most easy one to penetrate. Draw customers in to your message. There are many other applications of DS that most dont often think of. Such as industrial, and education. Education is one area where I can see it being of great and wholesome use! It enables a teacher with a class of more than 15 to help maintain that intimate interaction that they loose after you pass that 15 student barrier. Other areas of Signage that people often miss are security and healthcare.
Another area of focus is that of consumer technology vs. commercial technology. Many people opt to use the much less expensive consumer gear over the commercial gear. This can be a very bad mistake! Lets face it, commercial gear is more costly due to its solid construction, longer MTBF (Mean Time Before Failure) and environmental robustness! Moreover, warranty and support. With consumer, you have to take apart, and return the gear yourself whereas most manufacturers of commercial gear will have on site support, and fast too! So this is an area where many make their first blunder.
It seems that DS customers see DS as a commodity. They could not be further than the truth, if its done right, however the integration can be. When a DS customer works with the right integrator, with clear communication and a firm understanding of the customers objectives, the whole package from the customers idea to the working solution can be positioned as such.
Must of the last half talked about recognizing your value as an integrator, ROI, and ROO (Return on Objective) and was very much more business geared. Great stuff, and I have a lot of learning to do around it, but far beyond the scope of this blog.
Stay tuned as tomorrow, the expor floor opens and I get to see and maybe get my grubby hands on some of this gear. Until next time...
//Ian\\
I should note here that I am not certified YET, I must go write the exam which I will have the details on in the coming week.
Although I have some signage experience, I must admit that there is so much information to absorb. I would like nothing more than to take in other sessions. To name a few, Digital Signage and NFC, Digital Signs Hardware Details, and most importantly, the digital signage tour of Las Vegas (that I will have to do on my own tonight). However, since I am quite new to this world, I (and my work place Trapeze Media) rightfuly decided that this certification was the best bet.
My brain is full an tired now, but I am sure I have it in me to get this out there. Firstly, one of the most important things in planning a Digital Signage solution (here after I'll replace Digital Signage with DS, because I am lazy. There I said it!) is the 7 key elements. They are
- Hardware
- Software
- Connectivity
- Content
- Operations
- Design
- Business
You have about 3-6 seconds to capture the attention of your audience. In most cases they are in transit and will pass by an DS installation in said time. There is a large degree of psychodynamics here. But to be honest, content is not what puts the drive behind me personally, its the technology and making it all tick. But planners, be warned... content, content, content!
More interestingly, retail only makes up 1/3rd of the DS market space and is the most easy one to penetrate. Draw customers in to your message. There are many other applications of DS that most dont often think of. Such as industrial, and education. Education is one area where I can see it being of great and wholesome use! It enables a teacher with a class of more than 15 to help maintain that intimate interaction that they loose after you pass that 15 student barrier. Other areas of Signage that people often miss are security and healthcare.
Another area of focus is that of consumer technology vs. commercial technology. Many people opt to use the much less expensive consumer gear over the commercial gear. This can be a very bad mistake! Lets face it, commercial gear is more costly due to its solid construction, longer MTBF (Mean Time Before Failure) and environmental robustness! Moreover, warranty and support. With consumer, you have to take apart, and return the gear yourself whereas most manufacturers of commercial gear will have on site support, and fast too! So this is an area where many make their first blunder.
It seems that DS customers see DS as a commodity. They could not be further than the truth, if its done right, however the integration can be. When a DS customer works with the right integrator, with clear communication and a firm understanding of the customers objectives, the whole package from the customers idea to the working solution can be positioned as such.
Must of the last half talked about recognizing your value as an integrator, ROI, and ROO (Return on Objective) and was very much more business geared. Great stuff, and I have a lot of learning to do around it, but far beyond the scope of this blog.
Stay tuned as tomorrow, the expor floor opens and I get to see and maybe get my grubby hands on some of this gear. Until next time...
//Ian\\
4.3.12
Digital Signage 2012
Hi Folks,
I will be heading to Vegas tomorrow to attend Digital Signage 2012 (http://www.dse2012.com). While I am there I will be taking in as many workshops as I can, and getting my Digital Signage certification. I hope to post a few blog during the show. The Expo floor is Wednesday/Thursday where I get to see the really cool toys (cough cough... transparent displays!!!)
So tomorrow I am heading YYZ to LVS to take in the Digital Signage playground! There is a Digital Signage tour of Vegas Tuesday which sadly I will not be able to take part in as I will be doing the certification track. Oh well, I will have to take my own tour. Part of that will be the Cosmopolitan! I just wish I could get a behind the scenes tour of that!!! Anyone out there have any contacts that could get me in? I would love nothing more than to learn how all that is wired, powered, and content is fed!
So stay tuned! If you think there is anything I really NEED to see other than the Cosmopolitan, in this Mecca of signage, please do let me know and I will be sure to swing by (time permitting)
Cheers!
//Ian\\
I will be heading to Vegas tomorrow to attend Digital Signage 2012 (http://www.dse2012.com). While I am there I will be taking in as many workshops as I can, and getting my Digital Signage certification. I hope to post a few blog during the show. The Expo floor is Wednesday/Thursday where I get to see the really cool toys (cough cough... transparent displays!!!)
So tomorrow I am heading YYZ to LVS to take in the Digital Signage playground! There is a Digital Signage tour of Vegas Tuesday which sadly I will not be able to take part in as I will be doing the certification track. Oh well, I will have to take my own tour. Part of that will be the Cosmopolitan! I just wish I could get a behind the scenes tour of that!!! Anyone out there have any contacts that could get me in? I would love nothing more than to learn how all that is wired, powered, and content is fed!
So stay tuned! If you think there is anything I really NEED to see other than the Cosmopolitan, in this Mecca of signage, please do let me know and I will be sure to swing by (time permitting)
Cheers!
//Ian\\
Acer Iconia A100
New Toy Folks,
I will spare you the Android 3 reviews, if you really want to know more about Honeycomb, there are many good reviews out there and you just need to spend about 1.5 nano seconds with Google. I will however, talk a litte about the hardware.
My previous tablet was the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7". That was a well rounded device. Although the A100 is not as hefty as that, it does have a good feel for a 7"'er :P I chose the A100 over its bigger brother the a500, a 10". Personally, if I was to use a 10" I would rather just use a laptop. The A100 is small enough to actually get in your pants pocket if need be.
Its construction is quite solid. However, the screen seems like very low grade plastic. I fear that its going to get scratched easily. More over it picks up finger prints and oils from your hands VERY fast on both front and back. Other than that, its very solid. It has a nice feature, the Rotation Lock. With a rocker switch on the top right, you can lock the rotation in. (If you are like me, a screen rotating when you dont want it to is very annoying)
It has a dedicated home button (capasitive). The lower edge features, a pin hole reset button, Left/Right speakers, dedicated Micro HDMI port, Dock Port and a Micro USB Port. Its power is a dedicated coax plug. A little annoying, however, the Tab never charged from a standard usb supply anyway, you had to use the supplied adapter. So in another way, at least you can charge AND use the USB at the same time.
I should note that a feature that I would have liked to see, was what its brother the A500 has, is a dedicated standard USB Input port. However if I am not mistaken, this can be done with an adapter for the Micro USB.
I find the touch on the screen not quite up to par. Touching notifications on the edge are often miss interpreted. Also touches are not as sensitive as one would like. I actually found myself wondering if it was resistive. However once I installed a better keyboard into the system, things got much easier.
The camera is very quick to focus and grab your shot. This was a very refreshing thing to see. Its rotation is also very fast compared to other devices I have used. Notifications are shown by flashing the LED on the power button and the home button as well.
Something that really is important in my opinion is the SD Card slot. There is also a MicroSD card slot to compliment its onboard 8 or 16 gig memory. I see things like the iPad, Galaxy Tab 10", Playbook without a simple MicroSD card slot. WHY?? I dot get it. So this has a slot that can accomodate up to 32GB.
So all in all, for a sub $300CDN device I can't complain. The value of a dual core 1Ghz tablet usually sits at 400-500+ This one costs $250CDN. If you can deal with the finger prints, add a screen protector, install better keyboard software, you are good with this device.
Happy Tabbig!
//Ian\\
I will spare you the Android 3 reviews, if you really want to know more about Honeycomb, there are many good reviews out there and you just need to spend about 1.5 nano seconds with Google. I will however, talk a litte about the hardware.
My previous tablet was the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7". That was a well rounded device. Although the A100 is not as hefty as that, it does have a good feel for a 7"'er :P I chose the A100 over its bigger brother the a500, a 10". Personally, if I was to use a 10" I would rather just use a laptop. The A100 is small enough to actually get in your pants pocket if need be.
Its construction is quite solid. However, the screen seems like very low grade plastic. I fear that its going to get scratched easily. More over it picks up finger prints and oils from your hands VERY fast on both front and back. Other than that, its very solid. It has a nice feature, the Rotation Lock. With a rocker switch on the top right, you can lock the rotation in. (If you are like me, a screen rotating when you dont want it to is very annoying)
It has a dedicated home button (capasitive). The lower edge features, a pin hole reset button, Left/Right speakers, dedicated Micro HDMI port, Dock Port and a Micro USB Port. Its power is a dedicated coax plug. A little annoying, however, the Tab never charged from a standard usb supply anyway, you had to use the supplied adapter. So in another way, at least you can charge AND use the USB at the same time.
I should note that a feature that I would have liked to see, was what its brother the A500 has, is a dedicated standard USB Input port. However if I am not mistaken, this can be done with an adapter for the Micro USB.
I find the touch on the screen not quite up to par. Touching notifications on the edge are often miss interpreted. Also touches are not as sensitive as one would like. I actually found myself wondering if it was resistive. However once I installed a better keyboard into the system, things got much easier.
The camera is very quick to focus and grab your shot. This was a very refreshing thing to see. Its rotation is also very fast compared to other devices I have used. Notifications are shown by flashing the LED on the power button and the home button as well.
Something that really is important in my opinion is the SD Card slot. There is also a MicroSD card slot to compliment its onboard 8 or 16 gig memory. I see things like the iPad, Galaxy Tab 10", Playbook without a simple MicroSD card slot. WHY?? I dot get it. So this has a slot that can accomodate up to 32GB.
So all in all, for a sub $300CDN device I can't complain. The value of a dual core 1Ghz tablet usually sits at 400-500+ This one costs $250CDN. If you can deal with the finger prints, add a screen protector, install better keyboard software, you are good with this device.
Happy Tabbig!
//Ian\\
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