I recently thought of an idea (it’s probably out there already) to integrate digital signage and Skype (I’m sure you know what this is…. if not this is basically a computer application which allows you to make voice or video calls over the Internet).

After all digital signage is a communication tool and what better way to communicate with each other by using Skype. Here’s an example of what needs to be done and can be achieved:

1. Install a digital touch screen at a booth (maybe at a busy shopping centre)

2. Install the advertise me digital signage solution

3. Design the relevant templates and content

4. Install a web cam and connect this to your digital signage solution

5. Install the skype application

6. Install an internet connection

7. Develop the digital signage application which lists companies customer call centres

How to use it?

8. You look for Advertise Me (for example) in the directory list because you want to speak to a sales representative about a product you are about to purchase

9. You touch the “call Advertise Me” button and the system starts establishing a skype session to Advertise Me

10. A representative at Advertise Me receives the call and you have a video conference and start chatting away about the products. The Advertise Me representative may even show you how the product can be used etc and directs you to the nearest retail store.

11. Once you end the session, the digital signage application plays relevant content (product info, sales, discounts) from company you just dialed. Or this can also be displayed during the video call.

12. After a certain idle period of time, the digital signage application defaults back to a playlist displaying ads etc.

So there you go, that’s an idea I just came up with. Maybe if we have time we can actually make this happen, or if you want it straight away we can make this happen for you.Obviously we’ll need to get permission from Skype but I’m sure they too would want this to happen as well.

What do you think about this idea?

Feel free to submit your answer as a comment.

Category: Digital Signage Ideas

Google has recently invited selected google account members to the “google wave”, and just recently I was wondering how Advertise Me could integrate this new communication tool with digital signage. Fortunately, the digital signage players we use will allow us to quite easily integrate google wave as the system is web capable.

If I understand how google wave works correctly, it would mean that updating content will be easier than before and it may also  mean that a CMS (Content Management Server) may no longer be needed. I’ll stop here and keep pondering and brainstorming.

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Category: Digital Signage Ideas

American television network CBS has embedded a digital video player in a print ad in the Entertainment Weekly magazine issue for release next month.

The content of the video is a co-branded campaign between CBS and PepsiCo playing the network’s broadcast show line-up together with a Pepsi Max promotion. It operates by opening the page to activate the player coupled with audio to enhance the experience.

More information can be read at:
http://adage.com/brightcove/lineup.php?lineup=1266084202
http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2009/08/cbs-embeds-a-video-playing-ad-in-a-print-magazine/
http://itvt.com/story/5468/cbs-place-interactive-video-player-entertainment-weekly-print-advertising-spread

This brings a whole new gateway of executing marketing messages being delivered to consumers. Imagine watching a trailer to the next big blockbuster.

Whether or not this new concept will trigger a wave of digital mediums within print, I will surely keep my eyes open to see what the response will be like. The technology does come at a price and somebody has to pay for it, and the results are yet to be tested.

How will this be accepted amongst the wide audience?
Having that “wow” factor for the reader/viewer, or throwing those irritating stares at the person sitting next to you on the bus/train or at a library who is watching a video out of a magazine while you are trying to finish off the next few chapters of your favourite novel.

Feel free to continue this discussion at the digital signage portal forums, or post a comment on it here.

Thanks to Travis from Blue Pony for this lead.

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Category: Digital Signage Blog News, Digital Signage Ideas, Featured Post

It’s the weekend and thought I’d share an exciting and fun video clip – you’ll be also surprised as well.

We previously talked about how the iPhone can be used as a digital signage player (there’s already a few companies out there who have created an application on the iPhone) but now how would you like to be served by a humanoid robot with an iPhone attached to it’s head? Watch the funky video and we’ll discuss later:

In the examples in the video, the humanoid robot with the iPhone attached as it’s head, can be used to:

• wake you up – morning!!! maybe even give you a hug or a slap
• entertain – it’s a dance machine…shake it’s robo booty
• teach it new tricks and moves – next thing you know it will start imitating your moves
• and if you’re nice to it… it might even make you a coffee (just kidding – ummmm may be it is possible)

BUT more importantly it can interact with YOU – think about it from a sales and marketing perspective and you’ll start realising that this robot can be used to attract more customers into your store and even possibly serve it’s customers (stick your own photo image as it’s head ). The screen itself can be used even to promote sales, products and specials whilst it’s dancing around entertaining it’s customers (yes it’s  digital signage after all). And yes…. I’ve said it before… the possibilities seem to be endless with the future of mobile phones as digital signage players.

So that’s our weekend fun for this week and we all hope you’re having a great weekend.

Category: Digital Signage Blog Info, Digital Signage Blog Products, Digital Signage Blog Video, Digital Signage Ideas, Digital Signage Weekend Fun