The consumer market is flooded with Android devices like Amazon Fire TV and NVIDIA Shield TV, so it’s no surprise to see Android in the commercial market as well.
Android is known for its simple integration, scalability, and security
As more and more businesses contemplate adopting digital signage as a means for sharing content, these features can eliminate the uncertainty that can come with investing in new technology. Digital Out of Home (DOOH) use cases are more complex since they require more robust hardware devices, 24/7/365 operation, and heightened security features typically not required in a home environment. As Android continues to dominate the global operating system market with over 39% market share, and the mobile smartphone market with over 85%, it’s no wonder commercial digital signage media player and display manufacturers are expanding their Android product lines.Here are the top four reasons Android will continue to gain traction in digital signage:
Cost
When choosing the right media player for your signage network, price can be a major factor. Android is typically the low-cost leader with devices starting at US$50-$70, compared to the entry-level Intel Compute Stick with Windows10 at $140. If you’re deploying only a handful of devices this may not matter, but for larger networks that require dozens (if not hundreds or more) of devices, deploying on Android makes a lot of sense and could mean significant savings. In addition, Android can save time and money right out of the box, since devices are typically pre-configured with adequate internal memory, the latest WiFi and Bluetooth module, an internal power supply, and even a remote control. So no more late nights fiddling with the BIOS and worrying about driver compatibility.Hardware
If you search the web for Android media players you’ll likely find thousands of devices from hundreds of manufacturers. Navigating through the noise can be a challenge, but the good news is you have plenty of options when it comes to hardware. Whether you’re looking for a 4K media player for an existing display, a 10” touch screen for your meeting room manager, or even a 65” UHD SoC commercial-grade display for your lobby, industry leaders like IAdea, Elo and Philips will have the right Android device to fit your needs. Having hardware devices readily available online or through a local reseller means device failures in the field can be remedied quickly. Commercial-grade products like the Philips Android SoC come with a three-year warranty so you can get your signage back up in days, not weeks.Software Development
Similarly, searching the web for an Android content management system (CMS) will yield a long list of options. Owning the mobile market means Android is a popular platform to develop on, with over 14M Android developers worldwide. Compared to iOS and the App Store, Google has made it much easier to create and distribute apps through the Google Play Store, home to over 3.3 million apps. What does this mean for your network? As businesses demand more from their digital signage networks, developers are constantly adding new features, such as facial/gender recognition and analytics, while staying ahead of security threats and malwares. Skykit has one of the largest teams of Google developers in the U.S., which means we’re able to develop and deploy a more robust solution, faster.Ease of Use
Deploying digital signage should be as simple as choosing the right device, loading it with your preferred CMS, and pushing content to the displays. How hard can that be? With Windows and other operating systems, it’s definitely more complicated, since you’ll need to manage OS and security updates, lockdown all the peripheral ports, and remotely manage your hardware. Luckily, Skykit has made deploying an Android network easier by partnering with Elo and Philips to embed the Skykit CMS right onto Elo Backpack and Philips SoC displays. These bundles are ready to use out-of-the-box and include Skykit Control for remote device management, eliminating the need for third-party Mobile Device Management. As Android continues to gain market share in the mobile market, we can expect to see its popularity spill over into the digital signage industry. The platform’s attractive price point means more small businesses can afford to upgrade from printed signage to digital signage. The abundance of hardware and cloud-based CMS options allow larger businesses to free themselves from the server racks and on-premise technologies of yesterday. Finally, with remote management tools like Skykit Control, it’s now easier to manage your devices at scale. Android is quickly gaining popularity beyond the consumer market due to its low cost, security, and scalable features. If you’re interested in learning more about Android digital signage, contact your Skykit representative today at sales@skykit.com. Sources:- List of Android Names: https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2019/03/a-delicious-list-of-android-code-names/
- Stats by Platform https://gs.statcounter.com/os-market-share/tablet/united-states-of-america#monthly-2011
- Top Android TV Boxes: https://androidpcreview.com/best-android-tv-box/