We’re back from a busy week at Infocomm in Las Vegas. The ProAV world flocked to the desert last week for Infocomm 24, the North American sister show of ISE, drawing a post-COVID record crowd of 30,271 attendees (36,967 registrations) from 125 countries. Among non-exhibitor attendees, 71% were from the ProAV channel, and 29% were end-users. International participation was strong, with 23% of visitors coming from abroad. In comparison, ISE 2024 had 73,891 attendees (95,396 registrations). The good news is that attendance and exhibition at trade shows are rebounding after the pandemic, both in Las Vegas and Barcelona.
More Android in ChromeOS
Parallel to Infocomm, Google announced that ChromeOS will move closer to Android. New Android technology developments, such as AI, will be integrated into ChromeOS. This news is very welcome in the digital signage industry, where Android is one of the leading SoC platforms.
At last, Samsung is also offering e-paper displays
It took Samsung a bit longer than PPDS and Sharp, but the Korean electronics powerhouse will soon start selling e-paper displays for digital signage. Samsung uses the same e-ink films as its competitors, but the very slim form factor and integration into the Samsung ecosystem could give the display market leader an advantage.
The Sphere from within
A ProAV show in Vegas wouldn’t be complete without integrating a showcase of the world’s most spectacular LED installation. Infocomm managed to rent the Sphere for the opening event, where more than 2,500 AV experts, including Invidis, were amazed by the sheer size of the iconic dome.
Collaboration meets digital signage
Appspace and Poppulo (formerly FWI) are workplace specialists deeply rooted in digital signage. Both ISVs have evolved beyond traditional digital signage, now offering workplace communication across digital signage screens, desktops, and mobile apps. Appspace recently announced a partnership with Microsoft for Teams Rooms, filling one of the last remaining gaps in the employee journey not yet covered by digital signage.
A Sensor on every screen
Six months after its introduction at ISE, Samsung unveiled more details about SmartThings Pro, its new IoT ecosystem for B2B. It aims to enable more sustainable digital signage concepts, automate operations, and enhance customer experiences. The industry now understands how SmartThings Pro complements sensor specialists like Nexmosphere, rather than serving as a substitute.
VXT soon on Windows
The launch of VXT was hotly debated at ISE and still offers plenty food for thought. At Infocomm, most ISVs are still unsure what to make of the new “Co-opetion”. Is Samsung friend or foe? Samsung took the opportunity at Infocomm to educate the market and shared additional information. New ISVs have joined VXT, and support for Windows was announced for August.
Brightsign as SoC
Brightsign is moving away from the purple box: The development isn’t recent, but an increasing number of visual solutions providers are experimenting with Brightsign inside. While the vast majority of Brightsign’s business will still be centered around the external players, the media player market leader is diversifying its portfolio.
A Second Chance for 3D in digital signage?
The industry tested the potential of stereo 3D in digital signage more than 10 years ago and failed miserably. Now, with advancements in technology and computing power, Sony has reintroduced compelling 3D flat panel displays. The market positioning is different today, and Sony may well succeed as an alternative to Apple Vision Pro and Meta. The 3D effects are fantastic and, compared to VR-goggles, users can work for hours infront of 3D screens without fatigue.
We’re back in Europe and this week we’re off to Barcelona – the next ISE needs some attention.
Have a great week – Florian Rotberg
