Introducing Single Sign-On (SSO)
Introducing XOGO Player for Web Browsers
With support for eight operating systems (and counting!), XOGO already allows you to turn almost any device into a digital sign. Now we're taking things to another level. Starting today, any device with a web browser can be used to run XOGO. Just point your browser to player.xogo.io and you'll see our familiar PIN code screen. Then log into XOGO Manager to add it as a media player.
Best Practices for Digital Signage Content
Digital signage is a powerful tool that allows users to display advertisements, menus, corporate communications and more. Generally if there’s an issue with digital signage, it’s related to the content that’s being uploaded to the system. To help our users avoid these issues, we’ve put together the following best-practices guide.
Canva AI Tools for Content Design
Canva recently released two interesting AI-powered design tools for digital creators. These tools are designed to allow designers and marketers to quickly create digital graphics. In this post we’ll take a brief look at both of the new Canva tools, explain how they work, and point out their pros and cons.
WiFi woes? An LTE modem may be the answer!
One of the best things about XOGO digital signage is the fact that users can log into XOGO Manager and control their screens from anywhere in the world. Since your player devices are Internet-connected, they will automatically receive and play the content that you send them via the manager app. But what happens if your players have connectivity issues? This is where LTE modems come into play.
Programmatic Advertising 101
Simply put, programmatic advertising is the automated process of buying and selling digital ads, rather than purchasing directly from publishers. This process uses artificial intelligence and real-time bidding for inventory across many forms of advertising. XOGO has partnered with Vistar Media, a world leader in the space, to bring programmatic DOOH advertising to thousands more screens.
LG ProBeam 4K Laser Projector
Pros: Ultra-bright, 7000-lumen projector with 4K resolution. HDR capable. Runs WebOS 6.0
Cons: Quite expensive but this is a commercial-grade device designed for performance and long life, plus you can install XOGO Player directly on the device so no external player hardware is required.
Cost: $5499 USD
Media Player Spotlight: Google Chromecast
Google’s Chromecast device first debuted in 2013. At the time, it was simply used for mirroring content from a laptop or mobile device to one’s TV. It couldn’t run native apps like the Fire Stick or Apple TV, so it wasn’t useful for applications like digital signage. In 2020, however, Google released the 4th generation Chromecast. This latest model comes in HD or 4K versions, runs Android 10 and comes with the user-friendly Google TV interface, which lets users install apps like HBO, Netflix, and of course XOGO Player.
Incorporating QR Codes into XOGO Digital Signage
Printed QR codes have been popular within many different industries in recent years. They act as a bridge between the physical world and digital content, such as when you scan a restaurant menu to pull up a digital version on your smart phone. QR codes used in digital format add further flexibility, as they can be updated at any time in order to point to different information online.
XOGO Mini 2b
Pros: Easy setup, low cost, sold globally. Available with US or international power supply, plus an HDMI cable. Comes with XOGO Player preinstalled. No mouse or keyboard required. Automatically plays your content when it boots up. Available in a POE version to reduce cable clutter. You can even build your own XOGO Mini using our free disk images for RPi3 and RPi4!
Cons: Has a maximum 1080HD playback (does not yet support 4K-resolution content).
Cost: $129 USD
Google Chromecast
Apple iPad
Pros: Premium tablet with excellent screen resolution, long battery life, and enterprise device management options. Available in multiple colors and versions, some with LTE capability.
Cons: More expensive than entry-level tablets.
Cost: $329-2399 USD depending upon model, screen size, storage and other options.
Add Music to Your XOGO Screens with Cloud Cover
Digital signage content tends to be silent, unless you have videos in your playlist that contain an audio track (which can become annoying if you have the playlist on rotation all day long). What if you want to have professional in-store music playing on your screens along with your digital signage content? That's where Cloud Cover comes in.
Display KPI Dashboards in XOGO with Geckoboard
Amazon Fire TV Omni
Pros: Inexpensive 4K device. No need for an external media player. XOGO Player installs easily from the Amazon App Store. Doubles as an entertainment hub!
Cons: Not built to be powered on 24/7 like most commercial displays. Lacks features like HDR that some commercial displays have. However, it’s a great option for small businesses or budget-conscious users.
Cost: $300-750 USD
Sony Bravia Displays
Pros: Easily install XOGO Player on your Sony display via the Google Play Store. No need for an external media player device or any additional wires. Sony displays are affordable and come in many sizes, up to 100”. Choose from LCD or OLED technology.
Cons: A little more expensive than consumer displays but this is an excellent option for those wanting an all-in-one solution.
Cost: $600-3,000 USD
Amazon Fire HD Tablet
Cut the Cord: Run XOGO on a Smart TV
A smart TV is one that can connect to the Internet, generally in order to stream content from apps like Netflix or HBO. They have an internal computer called an SOC (system-on-a-chip), and typically connect to an app store where applications like XOGO Player can be downloaded for free. Smart TVs are fantastic for digital signage, for a number of reasons.
