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Why is Android OS a Good Choice for Your Digital Signage Needs?

The Android digital signage advantage

Anyone planning a digital signage project should consider Android digital signage for their next project. This type of digital signage software has captured a large share of the market, and for very good reasons.

  • Android OS has been around for more than 13 years
  • The operating system is backed by Google, one of the largest tech companies on the planet
  • Android is based on the renowned Linux operating system
  • Android was originally developed for mobile applications but is now available on a whole range of devices

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If you consider all the different kinds of digital signage software on the market, you’ll find the most popular and reliable apps runs on Android. It’s a great choice for digital signage because it is very user-friendly and offers a wide range of useful features.

  • Android devices can easily be configured in portrait and landscape screen orientations
  • The operating system supports Wi-Fi and wired network connections
  • Multitasking is also supported right out of the box
  • Popular screen resolutions like Full HD and 4K are supported natively
  • Android is very reliable making it an ideal operating system for 24/7/365 use

Android also provides access to a vast software application ecosystem. A quick Google search will bring up many remote control apps you can use to perform remote device support. Having the ability to take over a device remotely is essential for professional digital signage deployments. It makes it easy to troubleshoot technical without having to go on-site, which saves on travel costs.

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Android digital signage takes on Windows

Microsoft Windows dominated the digital signage landscape before Android’s introduction. This was mostly due to the popularity of Windows PCs as media players. Windows is still dominant in multi-screen – single-player applications.

However, Microsoft’s operating system lost a significant share of the digital signage market since Android became popular. There are many reasons behind this shift, such as expensive OS licensing fees, higher support fees, and PC hardware acquisition costs.

As a result, Android digital signage users benefit from many advantages over Microsoft Windows PCs.

Android devices are physically smaller so they can be easily hidden behind a typical digital signage screen. These devices can also be powered from any of the display’s available USB ports which simplifies wiring. While Windows PCs still exist in “Stick” configuration, these devices are often severely underpowered which makes them unsuitable for commercial digital signage use.

Android vs Windows

People who purchase Android devices don’t need to worry about the dreaded “Windows tax” because there are no fees associated with open-source operating systems. This makes Android devices much less expensive than their Windows counterparts.

Windows PCs receive constant updates from Microsoft. These updates are published quite often and have proven to be extremely disruptive for digital signage operators. They are difficult to disable and almost impossible to ignore.

Windows PCs must be rebooted whenever a new operating system update has been installed. This is necessary so the OS can apply the latest changes. However, rebooting a PC is also quite disruptive because while the update process is taking place, no content can be shown on screen. The screen blanks out or shows a Windows notification message which renders the digital signage non-functional.

The Windows operating system generally requires more hardware resources than Android. Windows PCs tend to feature more expensive video cards and more memory to support multiple screens. Windows has a larger footprint so more storage is required on the standalone player device to accommodate the operating system.

Configuring Windows for digital signage use is more complicated than for Android. For example, some applications require editing the Windows registry to disable features that are incompatible with digital signage use. It’s important to note Android has none of these issues so you can fire up the device, log in and you’re done.

Windows is a popular target for malware and computer viruses. Hardening a Windows PC requires installing and configuring an anti-virus app. Android devices don’t need additional security software.

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Navori Labs and Android Digital Signage

Early on, Navori Labs realized the operating system’s potential so it created its own native Android standalone player software. Navori Player is the company’s proprietary software that can be installed on a range of devices, including Navori Labs’ own Navori STiX 3700 standalone player featuring Android.

While some digital signage standalone player devices are based on consumer-grade components, Navori Stix standalone player devices are engineered for the most demanding professional digital signage applications that require constant 24/7 operation.

Navori Player for Android is affordable, easy to deploy, requires minimal support, and delivers professional results. The software is fully compatible with Navori’s Navori Content Manager which lets users access their player network from any location via an intuitive HTML5 user interface.

Benefits of using Android media players

Some of the great features of Android that make it ideal for use with digital signage software include:

  • A wide range of apps: There are a huge number of apps available for Android, which makes it easy to find one that suits your specific needs.
  • Customization options: With Android, you can easily customize your digital signage to match your brand identity and make it unique to your business.
  • Ease of use: Android is very user-friendly, which makes it easy to set up and use, even for those who are not tech-savvy.

If you are looking for an effective way to communicate with your customers, then Android digital signage is a great choice for you.

About the Android operating system

Android is a mobile operating system developed by Google based on a modified version of the Linux kernel and other open-source software. Android was designed primarily for touchscreen mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets but it’s equally capable of running more demanding applications.

Case in point, Google has further developed Android TV for televisions, Android Auto for cars, and Wear OS for wristwatches, each with a specialized user interface. Variants of Android are also used on game consoles, digital cameras, PCs, and other electronics like media players.