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ISE Preview: The Big Trends on the Showfloor

Bigger, smarter, greener, and more secure – digital signage is evolving and the technologies leading that progress are AI, COB LEDs, e-paper, and specialized B2B operating systems. Our trend forecast for ISE 2025.

ISE 2025 in Barcelona promises to set the course for the future of the digital signage industry. For us, the focus is on five topics that will shape this year’s show and dominate the show floor.

E-paper in 75 inches with photovoltaic technology

It is no exaggeration to say that the big e-paper breakthrough awaits us in Barcelona. We will see display sizes that were once unimaginable, like the 75-inch kiosk from Dynascan. Sharp will showcase an E-Poster, an outdoor display that operates independently of the power grid using photovoltaic cells. Major visual solution providers, from Samsung to PPDS, will present their own indoor versions. For us, e-paper is the digital signage technology of the year.

ISE or AI-SE?

AI will be the invisible star of the trade show, but the question is how exhibitors make it seen on the show floor? For companies like Samsung and LG, the focus will be on “on-device AI”—integrating more AI functions directly into the screens, such as automatic upscaling.

Apart from AI, all leading visual solution providers will boast their platform power: Samsung, LG, and PPDS (Philips) have already announced upgrade to their VXT, Business Cloud, and Wave ecosystems.

Free ISE entry with invidis

As an invidis reader, you will receive a free ticket for the ISE 2025 exhibition area. Simply use the code ISE2025invidis when registering.

COB dominates in the LED sector

Chip-on-board (COB) LED has been on show at AV trade shows for years. But as production capacities are now ramping up, the technology will be able to increase its grip on the market this year.Some experts predict that COB could even surpass SMD.

The COB breakthrough will in turn give LED in general a huge boost, making it more viable as an LCD alternative in many environments. This is because COB LEDs are more energy-efficient and easier for integrators to handle. With increased brightness values, COB could also soon be seen as an outdoor-ready technology.

Sustainability is still in the picture

Hardware manufacturers are still under pressure to make their devices more energy-efficient, and we can expect further progress across the entire display segment. E-paper displays are of course at the forefront, but so are COB LEDs with common cathode.

However, green signage goes beyond just low energy consumption. It also involves remote device management, which includes not only monitoring displays remotely but also controlling them from a distance.

Invisible walls of protection

Companies like Google Chrome and BrightSign, whose operating systems are built to ensure secure backends in B2B networks with guaranteed updates and extended support, will focus on cybersecurity at ISE. For CMS software providers, security certifications will also play a bigger role.