Multimodal Accessible Self-Service

The New Reality of Retail Self-Service

This retail TouchPoints article, written by Matt Ater of Vispero, argues that the retail industry has reached a “mission-critical” tipping point where self-serrvice technology must evolve from simple touchscreens tomultimodal, accessible interfacesthat work for everyone, regardless of physical ability or environmental circumstances. We agree. See The New Modality Stack: How Interactive Systems Are Moving Beyond the Touchscreen —

Here is summary of Matt’s article with checklist

1. The Ubiquity of the “Invisible Kiosk”

Self-service is no longer just a checkout lane; it includes pharmacy photo stations, hotel check-in screens, digital lockers, and even handheld payment devices. The common thread is that shoppers are expected to perform tasks independently and under time pressure, often without access to their own personal assistive tech (like screen readers).

2. The Problem with “Default” Design

Most systems are designed for a “standard” user who can see, hear, and stand easily. This excludes:

Permanent Disabilities: Blind shoppers cannot navigate silent touchscreens or verify totals.

Situational Hurdles: Glare on screens, loud background noise, language barriers, or even a parent holding a crying child.

3. The Multimodal Solution

The goal is Choice. Multimodal systems offer various ways to interact:

Audio output via headphones.

Tactile input (physical buttons/keypads).

Voice guidance and adaptive interfaces.

4. The Business Case (Beyond Compliance)

While regulations (especially in Europe) are tightening, Matt argues that inclusion is a competitive advantage:

Operational Efficiency: Accessible kiosks prevent “friction points” where staff must leave their posts to help frustrated customers.

Consumer Trust: Privacy in payments (like entering a PIN or choosing a tip via audio) provides dignity, which builds brand loyalty.

The Bottom Line: If a system is unusable, customers leave and often don’t return.

Key Insights & Analysis
1. Accessibility as “Universal Design”

One of the strongest insights here is the shift from seeing accessibility as a “niche” feature to seeing it as robust UX (User Experience). Just as “curb cuts” on sidewalks help people with strollers and bikes as much as wheelchair users, multimodal kiosks help the person in a noisy, crowded store just as much as someone with a hearing impairment.

2. The Danger of “Checkbox” Accessibility

Ater points out a significant “fail” in current tech: hardware that looks accessible but isn’t. A headphone jack that isn’t software-enabled is a “broken promise” that frustrates users more than having no jack at all. For retailers, this means the software layer is now just as important as the physical kiosk.

3. Privacy = Dignity

In a world of increasing data sensitivity, the “payment” aspect is crucial. For a blind or low-vision shopper, having to dictate a PIN or a tip amount to a stranger is a breach of privacy. Moving toward private audio interfaces isn’t just a technical fix; it’s an ethical one that respects the customer’s autonomy.

4. The Future is “Invisible”

Matt suggests that in five years, the best self-service will “fade into the background.” This implies a move toward Ambient Intelligence —systems that recognize user needs and adapt instantly without the user having to hunt for an “accessibility mode” button.

Insight Note: This article highlights a shift in retail philosophy. We are moving away from “How can we automate this to save money?” toward “How can we automate this without losing customers?”

The Multimodal Self-Service Checklist
1. Visual & Physical Accessibility

[ ] Screen Clarity: Is the interface high-contrast? Does it remain readable under harsh overhead retail lighting or near windows (glare-resistant)?

[ ] Reachable Design: Are all interactive elements (touchscreens, card slots, receipt printers) within the ADA-mandated reach range for a person using a wheelchair?

[ ] No “Visual-Only” Cues: Does the system avoid relying solely on color (e.g., “Press the green button”) to convey meaning?

2. Audio & Speech Integration

[ ] Functional Headphone Jack: Is there a standard 3.5mm jack? More importantly, does plugging in headphones automatically trigger a screen-reading voice-over?

[ ] Volume Control: Can the user easily adjust the volume to overcome ambient store noise?

[ ] Private Audio for Sensitive Data: Can a user hear their transaction total, tip options, and PIN prompts privately through headphones?

[ ] Speech-to-Text/Voice Command: Does the system allow for basic voice navigation in quiet or semi-private environments?

3. Tactile & Input Feedback

[ ] Physical Keypad/Nav: Is there a tactile peripheral (like a Braille-labeled keypad) for users who cannot use a flat touchscreen?

[ ] Haptic/Audio Confirmation: Does the system provide a “beep” or a haptic vibration to confirm a successful scan or button press?

[ ] Timeout Alerts: Does the system provide an audio warning before a session “times out” due to inactivity, giving the user a chance to ask for more time?

4. Software & Interface Logic

[ ] Language Choice: Are the accessibility features available in all supported languages, or just the default?

[ ] Simplification Mode: Is there an option for a “high-contrast” or “large-text” mode that simplifies the UI for users with cognitive or visual impairments?

[ ] Real-Time Error Correction: If an item is scanned twice or a weight error occurs on the scale, does the system explain the error via audio?

5. Operational Support

[ ] Staff Alert Integration: If a user is struggling, does the system notify a staff member discreetly so they can provide help without the customer having to wave them down?

[ ] “Assist” Mode: Can a staff member take over the screen remotely or via a secondary interface to help clear a block without the user losing their privacy?

Pro-Tip for Implementation

The “Lab vs.Reality” Test: Don’t test this in a quiet office. Test it in a store at 5:00 PM on a Friday with music playing, carts rattling, and a line of people waiting. If a user can’t complete a transaction independently in that environment, the accessibility features aren’t fully functional yet.

HIMSS Intersection
Section 1557: The Compliance “Teeth”

The HHS finalized a rule in May 2024 that explicitly includes self-service kiosks under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act.

The Deadline: Large healthcare providers (15+ employees) must ensure their kiosks are accessible by May 11, 2026.

The Standard: The rule adopts WCAG 2.1 Level AA as the technical standard. This means if your kiosk is used for check-in or payment, it must support the multimodal features Ater mentioned (screen readers, tactile input, etc.).

The Risk: Unlike retail, where the cost is “lost sales,” in healthcare, non-compliance can lead to the loss of federal funding (Medicare/Medicaid) and significant civil rights litigation.

ater-comparison

2. Revenue Cycle “Shift Left”

“Shift Left” refers to moving administrative and financial tasks (insurance verification, co-pay collection) to the very beginning of the patient journey—ideally at the kiosk during check-in—rather than “chasing” the money weeks later.

How Accessibility Enables “Shift Left”

If your kiosk isn’t multimodal/accessible, your “Shift Left” strategy will fail for 20-25% of the population.

Data Integrity: A patient with a visual impairment cannot verify if their insurance info is correct on an inaccessible screen. This leads to “snowball errors” and claim denials downstream.

Upfront Collection: If a patient cannot privately and independently pay their co-pay at the kiosk (due to a lack of audio guidance for the keypad), they will skip the step. This forces the “Shift Right”—back into the expensive, manual billing cycle.

Operational Throughput: When a kiosk fails a disabled patient, they must go to the front desk. This creates a bottleneck exactly where “Shift Left” was supposed to save labor costs.

3. The “Dignity” Factor in Healthcare

In retail, Ater notes that privacy is about “dignity.” In healthcare, it is also about HIPAA.

Multimodal = Private: A blind patient shouldn’t have to shout their birthdate, address, or “reason for visit” to a front-desk clerk because the kiosk didn’t have a headphone jack.

Autonomy: Providing an accessible kiosk allows patients to manage their insurance and payments with the same independence as everyone else, fulfilling the “nondiscrimination” spirit of Section 1557.

Insight for HIMSS 2026

“Don’t just comply with Section 1557 to avoid a lawsuit; do it to protect your revenue.If your kiosks aren’t accessible, you can’t ‘Shift Left’ for every patient, and your RCM (Revenue Cycle Management) will continue to leak money on the back end.”.

Post Views: 46

ISE Review with Dave Haynes

ISE Review Barcelona 2026

Field Report from Barcelona 2026

Just read ISE review by Sixteen-Nine. It’s a terrific piece by Dave Haynes—classic “ISE field report” style: conversational, first-hand, and full of grounded industry insight rather than flashy hype. He does a great job balancing humor, personal anecdotes, and technical analysis.

Here are a few key takeaways and impressions from the article:

  • Big Picture: Haynes emphasizes that Integrated Systems Europe 2026 has now fully matured—not just in size (92,000+ attendees!) but in smooth operations. His early skepticism about four days being too long has turned into admiration for how well-organized and globally attended the event has become.

  • Incremental Progress, Not Big Bang: He hammers home the theme that the professional AV and digital signage industries rarely see radical yearly leaps. The improvements are incremental—better LED displays, more refined manufacturing, lower energy use—not revolutionary tech shifts. That theme aligns with a maturing industry.

  • AI: Promising but Uneven: Haynes notes AI was everywhere but not oversold. Many demos were superficial, but there were some strong standouts—like NetSpeek’s agentic AI for monitoring networks and ScreenCloud’s thoughtful AI direction. His metaphor comparing AI to the “engine under the hood” of a modern car was a sharp way to explain the hidden but critical role AI is starting to play.

  • Displays and Power Efficiency: The visual technologies—LED totems, color e-paper, mesh LEDs—show the industry’s blend of aesthetics and practicality. Energy consumption and sustainability are clearly big themes, especially with companies like Media Resources pushing reduced power draw.

  • Tone and Style: Haynes keeps it witty and self-aware—joking about cava-filled evenings, losing his voice, and “good luck” to Samsung selling $20K holographic signage. It feels like a seasoned insider’s voice who’s seen the cycles of hype and knows what’s truly practical.

If you step back, the article’s broader message seems to be: pro AV and digital signage are now in an era of refinement, not discovery—and AI is the next invisible layer that will quietly reshape how everything operates.

What “interactive” looks like at ISE now

  • Touch-first, but not touch-only

    • PCAP touchscreens, touch foils, kiosks, and touch video walls are still everywhere (Displax, Elo, Prestop, DTEN, etc.).

    • Interactive kiosks are now tightly tied to workplace, wayfinding, check-in, and self-service workflows rather than just “cool demos.”

  • Other interaction modes layered on

    • Cameras and sensors (for people counting, audience analytics, sometimes simple gesture triggers) are used alongside touch—less flashy “Minority Report” waving, more subtle sensing.

    • Voice is emerging in noisy‑environment‑ready hardware (like the voice‑AI speaker Haynes mentioned), though it is still a niche and usually paired with a screen rather than replacing it.​

    • Mobile is part of the interaction mix: scan a QR, tap NFC, or use an app to drive the content on a larger shared display instead of everyone touching the screen.

Executive Takeway

  • Clarify your lane

    • “We’re the best generic CMS” is a weak story now. A stronger story: “We’re the easiest way for X-type business to do Y outcome” (e.g., grocery chains managing 10,000 shelf labels and 500 menu boards).

  • Build or adopt AI where it matters

    • Content and layout co‑pilot for non-technical staff.

    • Automated NOC / monitoring and remediation.

    • Lightweight micro‑apps that sit on top of BrightSign / VXT / LG / Google TV stacks.

  • De-emphasize features, emphasize lifecycle

    • Energy costs, uptime, remote management, and ease of change are what owners will care about through the next cycle more than one more transition effect or exotic display format.

Pro Tip — Organizations that treat design as appearance often revisit it through unplanned service costs, compliance exposure, and shortened hardware lifecycles. Those that treat design as a system—balancing brand, usability, and serviceability—build platforms that scale, endure, and deliver ROI long after deployment.

Before approving a kiosk design, leadership should ask not how it looks on day one, but how it performs in year three.  From recent kiosk industry article.

Current direction of interactive

  • From gadget to workflow tool

    • New interactive workplace kiosks (DTEN + Appspace with Microsoft Places) show the emphasis on space booking, visitor check-in, and workplace analytics rather than pure signage.

    • Industrial and control-room touch solutions focus on reliability and ergonomics for operators, replacing buttons/knobs and tying into data dashboards.​

  • Why touch still dominates

    • It’s intuitive and cheap. Easy to support at scale; most alternatives (full-gesture, pure voice) stumble on reliability, learning curve, or cost.

    • “Touch + something” (touch + sensors, touch + voice, touch + mobile) is where most serious deployments are going rather than abandoning touch.

Post Views: 153

Digital Signage ROI – The Herhausen Study 2025 Grocery Store

digital signage ROI herhausen study

Ten Takeaways from Herhausen Study

Writeup on Sixteen-Nine is quite good covering the new study on digital signage and ROI.  The big number is 8% lift but that is specific to this study group and lots of conditions in play. RFID in store aisles with directed audio (ouch). Hedonistic more effective than discounts.  See where still disagreements or questions remain below.

The study only specifies: one retailer, 10 large grocery stores, western Europe, ~108,000 sq ft, ~€25M/year per store, mainly food and household items, using a third‑party digital-signage provider with a national media agency.  If we had to guess — Carrefour Belgium is publicly known to use Scala-based in‑store media and digital signage, and it operates large-format hyper/supermarkets, so it is a plausible structural match among many.

Here are ten takeaways that capture what matters most in this study.​

  1. Digital signage works, on average
    • Facing screens while walking store aisles tends to nudge people toward buying what’s shown – data shows an 8.1% lift in purchase odds. This comes from looking at 237 ad pushes and nearly thirty million customers
  2. What happens is new buying shows up, rather than people just hoarding more
    • People see the product out in the open, so they tend to pick it up more often. Yet once bought, they do not pay extra for that specific item. Instead of rushing to grab it early, like discounts cause, nothing shows people are buying sooner or hoarding. Unlike deals based on lowered prices, this method does not push bulk purchases
  3. Pleasure–driven picks work well here. New things catch on fast. What’s trending fits right in. Low cost helps them sell quickly
    • Stronger reactions show up with fun–focused goods rather than practical ones. Popularity of a brand plays a role too. When something new hits the market, responses tend to grow. Price matters – cheaper items often see bigger impact
  4. Beside the clock, what’s happening around shifts outcomes. Moments change when surroundings tilt one way or another
    • Weekends bring a boost in lift – especially as daylight fades. Sunshine helps, while rain tends to dull it. Crowds inside the store also push numbers up. Later hours see stronger results than early ones
  5. Better results come from being near. Distance tends to reduce impact. Proximity shows a clear advantage when tested. Nearness works more effectively every time measured
    • Around 2 percent more likely – just move the item ten meters nearer to the  display. Being physically close makes a difference, quietly boosting visibility each step forward
  6. Emotional content beats informational content
    • What tugs at heartstrings often moves numbers more than facts alone. Emotion–driven campaigns tend to lift results beyond what plain information can achieve. Feelings spark responses that logic sometimes misses. Messages tied to emotion go further than those relying only on data
  7. Surprisingly, deal signs hurt how well signage works
    • The real drop in prices doesn’t strengthen how well signs work. When deal hints are added to the design, it weakens what digital signs can achieve on their own
  8. What lifts one player can lift others nearby, while leaving competitors behind
    • A single sign showing one item can make people more likely to buy different things made by that company. It also boosts interest in similar kinds of goods across the board. At the same time, fewer folks tend to choose rival options when they see it
  9. Campaign wearout vs system learning
    • One by one, single ad efforts fade – people notice them less after a while. Still, the whole sign setup works better over months, simply because customers start recognizing it. Brands do too. What sticks around is how sound might shape attention if played daily, week after week
  10. Money talks when signs work like store ads
    1. Manufacturers see a stronger response – around 0.18 – from ads compared to standard short-term campaigns. Retailers might recover sign costs within one or two years. Additional gains mainly arrive through ad space sales rather than increased item profits.

Where disagreement or open questions remain

Despite the stronger empirical base, several points of contention and open debate remain:

  • Role of price and promo cues

    • Classic promotion literature and some earlier in-store work predict that price cues and promo signals amplify impulse buying.​

    • This study finds no added effectiveness from price cuts and a negative interaction for promotional signals with digital signage, suggesting inspirational/emotional content may outperform deal-focused content in this context.​

    • Whether this strategy can be pushed into other formats, countries, and non-grocery categories is still unresolved.​

  • Content type and optimal creative

    • Earlier studies offered mixed results on informational vs affective content.​

    • The new findings strongly favor emotional appeals, but only for the specific high-vividness, trigger-on-approach format studied; questions remain about:

      • Humor, celebrities, and other creative dimensions.

      • How much human imagery is optimal before it distracts from the product.​

  • How widely it applies across formats and settings

    • The experiments are from one western European grocery retailer using RFID-triggered, aisle-mounted screens with directed audio; older studies involved different formats (endcaps, projections, registers, etc.) and found more variable effects.​

    • It remains unclear how these new empirical generalizations transfer to:

      • Non-grocery or specialty retail (fashion, electronics, services).

      • Basket-only shopping, smaller formats, or markets with different shopper norms.

      • Online analogs (on-site display/banner ads at digital POS).​

  • Individual-level mechanisms and long-term effects

    • The study infers mechanisms (self-control depletion, variety seeking, circadian effects) from patterns in moderators but cannot directly measure attention or psychological states due to privacy constraints.​

    • Loyalty, long-run brand equity, and frequency effects remain largely unmeasured because the system is not linked to individual identities or loyalty cards; this keeps open debate about whether signage primarily drives short-term trial, ongoing habit, or both.​

  • Treatment intensity and bystanders

    • The experiments measure “intention-to-treat” (assigned exposure) rather than actual viewing time; bystanders and partial exposures are counted as control, likely making estimates conservative.​

    • There is still no consensus on dose–response: how much exposure, for how long, and at what angle/distance is optimal.​

Post Views: 89

Cineplex sells Cineplex Digital Media to Creative Realities for $70M

cineplex software stack

Cineplex Sells Cineplex Digital Media to Creative Realities for C$70M: What It Means for DOOH and Retail Media

Cineplex Inc. has agreed to sell its digital place-based media arm, Cineplex Digital Media (CDM), to U.S. digital signage provider Creative Realities, Inc. (CRI) for C$70 million in cash. Cineplex frames the move as a strategic refocus on core entertainment while bolstering the balance sheet; CRI calls it a transformational acquisition that doubles the size of the company and expands its North American footprint.

Key deal points

  • Purchase price: C$70 million, payable in cash, subject to customary post-closing adjustments.
  • Closing timing: expected in the coming weeks (October 2025 timeframe), pending regulatory approvals and standard conditions.
  • Post-sale roles: Cineplex will remain the exclusive advertising sales agent for CDM-operated DOOH networks across Canada under a long-term agreement.

Why Cineplex is selling

Cineplex selling digital signage to Creative Realities

Cineplex selling digital signage to Creative Realities

For Cineplex, CDM has been a strong, award-winning B2B solutions business running large digital networks across retail, QSR, and entertainment venues. But post-pandemic strategy has centered on theater operations and experiences, with a steady push to strengthen the balance sheet. Proceeds from this transaction are expected to be used for debt reduction, opportunistic share buybacks, and general corporate purposes.

Why Creative Realities is buying

CRI gets immediate scale in Canada plus expanded vertical coverage across North America. Management is guiding to at least US$10 million in annual cost synergies by the end of 2026, on top of cross-sell opportunities in software, services, and retail media/AdTech.

Industry context: consolidation and the DOOH flywheel

This is another cross-border consolidation signal in digital signage and DOOH. The market rewards platform scale (hardware lifecycle, managed services, CMS standardization) and media scale (measurable audience, unified ad ops). As CRI integrates CDM, expect rationalization of platforms, tighter service SLAs, and a bigger combined media story for retail and venue partners.

Competitors

CDM never used Scala, Poppulo/Four Winds Interactive, Omnivex, Navori, Signagelive, etc., for its retail/cinema networks. Lots of those vendors market to cinema/retail, but we couldn’t verify a CDM deployment with them.

What to watch next

  1. Integration roadmap & product stack: Will the combined company standardize on a single CMS or maintain dual tracks? Synergy targets suggest an aggressive integration posture.
  2. Media monetization in Canada: With Cineplex still selling ads, brands and agencies should see continuity—plus new cross-border packaging for North American buys.
  3. Capital allocation at Cineplex: Watch for debt paydown, buybacks, or premium-format investments.
  4. Regulatory and closing cadence: Any delay could push synergy timing and revenue recognition into later quarters.

Sidebar: Cineplex Digital Media’s Software Stack

Cineplex Digital Media (CDM) built much of its signage network on its own proprietary platform:

  • FLEX SE (CMS) – CDM’s in-house content-management system, designed for multi-location retail and QSR networks.

  • FLEX SmartEngine – A data-driven AI layer that adjusts screen content dynamically based on audience and context.

  • Broadsign integration – CDM also appears to have used Broadsign components for publishing and device management (a CDM-hosted Broadsign Publish login exists).

  • SignageOS – Mentioned in infrastructure documentation for device visibility and monitoring, suggesting a hybrid software environment.

Together, these indicate that CDM’s value wasn’t only its physical screens or ad contracts—it included a mature CMS + analytics platform interoperating with established third-party tools like Broadsign. For Creative Realities, this means acquiring both a network footprint and a tested software foundation that could merge with its own ReflectView and AdLogic solutions.

(Sources: CDM Experiences website; ReadyWorks case study; Broadsign domain artifacts; Cineplex corporate press materials.)

Sources

More Cineplex Creative Realities Related

Deeper Dive

Cineplex Digital Media (CDM) mainly ran on its own signage stack, but there’s credible evidence they also used Broadsign components (and integrated with SignageOS) in parts of the operation. Zero public proof they standard-ran other third-party CMSs across their networks.

What’s documented publicly

1) CDM’s own CMS/platform

Implication: A lot of CDM’s networks likely ran on this proprietary combo (FLEX SE + SmartEngine), which is part of the value Creative Realities is acquiring.

2) Broadsign in the stack (publishing & ops)

  • A CDM-branded Broadsign Publish login endpoint exists (go.cdmpublish.com), which strongly suggests CDM used Broadsign’s platform (at least for some publishing/workflows). go.cdmpublish.com

  • A recent ReadyWorks case study about “the digital signage team” at Cineplex mentions integrations with BroadSign and SignageOS for device visibility and compliance — again indicating Broadsign was in the tooling mix. readyworks.com

Implication: Even with an in-house CMS, CDM appears to have leveraged Broadsign (and SignageOS) for parts of the network lifecycle — e.g., player management, publishing flows, or media side operations.

What I did not find good evidence for

  • No reliable, first-party or trade-press confirmation that CDM standardized on Scala, Poppulo/Four Winds Interactive, Omnivex, Navori, Signagelive, etc., for its retail/cinema networks. Lots of those vendors market to cinema/retail, but we couldn’t verify a CDM deployment with them. (Some articles you’ll find are about other venues or general cinema signage, not Cineplex/CDM specifically.)

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Digital Signage Software – Transport Case Study – London Underground

digital signage software cms

Acquire Digital deliver iconic Elizabeth line rebranding and live status screens

New transportation case study for digital signage software and the London Underground.

Acquire Digital , the provider of smart interactive digital signage has announced that they recently delivered the iconic rebranding of the live status screens for the new Elizabeth line of The London Underground.

Travelled on the new Elizabeth line yet?

If you haven’t done so already, try to make some time to frequent the iconic Elizabeth line and see if you can spot the new live status screens. They look great and are worth checking out!

The new Elizabeth line has been a long time in the making, but it's finally open to the public and is expected to allow more than 1.5 million to be closer to their places of work in the West End, Canary Wharf, and the City. To help make things as smooth as possible for travellers, Acquire Digital created the live status screens at the stations along the line, using their industry-leading Acquire Editor software.

In this instance, these screens provide information on train delays, cancellations, and changes in service so that people can plan their journeys accordingly.

The project was a collaboration between Acquire Digital and Worldline to deliver the solution for Transport for London, to update the UI design and to the new Elizabeth line branding. Using a specifically modified version of Acquire’s digital signage messaging CMS, the screens are connected to several APIs to collect data from different train operating companies and TFL itself. The CMS then converts this data from the different providers into a standardised, uniform feed which is presented to the travellers entering an existing the stations. The information is structured to allow people to quickly view and understand everything about the station and connections in their busy commutes.

The displays are designed to provide travellers with this important information on travel statuses and really play a key part in helping to improve the overall passenger experience.

CEO of Acquire Digital, Neil Farr had this to say about the project “It has been, and continues to be, a great honour for Acquire Digital to be supplying key solutions to assist travellers on the oldest underground transport network in the world. It was a pleasure to provide the  London Underground with an updated solution that celebrates the Queen’s Jubilee”

What about when all doesn’t go to plan?

Using the specifically modified CMS that connects via several APIs to live data feeds, the system intelligently displays content on the screens using a combination of rules and TFL can push alerts and updates to any of the units across the transport network, promptly and efficiently. This truly helps keep travellers in the know in real-time. It can even minimise the impact of incidents if travellers can re-route accordingly before arriving at the bottleneck.

Acquire Digital has also created onward travel screens for people leaving the station. These screens show local maps and live public transport information, whether that be by bus, taxi, or water taxi. Multimodal transport information was a key requirement for TFL, and Acquire Digital were pleased that they successfully incorporated it into the CMS with ease.

About the Elizabeth line

Crossrail Ltd.’s new railway was a much-anticipated addition to the transportation infrastructure of London. Spanning more than 100km, the railway will stop at 41 accessible stations – 10 of them new – and is expected to serve up to 200 million people each year.

The new railway will connect London's East End with its West End, as well as providing links to Heathrow Airport and the London Underground network. In addition, the new railway will ease congestion on existing lines and provide greater capacity for future growth.

This is a fantastic use of technology, and it will be exciting to see how it helps improve the overall passenger travelling experience.

About Acquire Digital

Acquire Digital is a global leader in innovative digital signage software and interactive experiences, having delivered many transportation and travel projects. With over 24 years of experience in the visual solutions and digital signage markets, the company is known for its industry firsts. Its passion for reaching beyond the boundaries of digital signage has played a key role in shaping Acquire Digital into the globally recognized company it is today. The company produces world-class UX and UI solutions that create an interactive and immersive experience.

To find out how Acquire Digital can work their magic for your project, contact  Acquire  today!

CONTACT INFORMATION
Media Contact: Talveer Guram
Email: [email protected]
UK: +44 116 231 8921
USA: +1 844 291 3501
Web:

//www.acquiredigital.com
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LG Smart Monitor Swing with 32″ LCD

LG Smart Monitor Swing

LG 31.5-inch 4K UHD IPS Smart Monitor Swing with Touchscreen, Rolling Stand

From LinkedIn — The way you work deserves more than bulky screens and rigid systems. That is why LG Smart Monitor Swing with 4K UHD was created.

It adapts effortlessly to your needs, whether it is running compact digital signage, managing inventory or supporting point of sale tasks.
Powered by webOS, this sleek monitor delivers the flexibility and speed your business workflow demands without compromising on design or performance.
Watch the video to discover the smart flexibility your business has been waiting for.

LG Smart Monitor Swing is coming soon!

Interesting

  • Power Consumption (Sleep Mode) Less than 0.5W
  • Weight with Stand [kg] 21.2
  • Tilt/Height/Swivel/Pivot
  • Bluetooth Connectivity YES
  • USB Media Player YES
  • Voice Recognition YES (Need to buy Magic Remote separately)

    Main LG page

    The LG 32U889SA Smart Monitor Swing is a 31.5-inch 4K UHD IPS touchscreen monitor designed for maximum flexibility and mobility, featuring a wheeled base and a highly adjustable stand for various viewing positions. It runs webOS to provide access to streaming services, productivity apps, and smart home controls directly from the monitor—no external PC required. The display supports up to 95% DCI-P3 color, HDR10, and has a brightness of about 350 nits, making it suitable for creative work and entertainment, though reflection can be an issue in bright rooms.

    Key Features

    • Touchscreen: Responsive touch navigation makes interaction fluid and intuitive for multitasking, drawing, and collaborative projects.

    • Adjustable Stand & Mobility: Easily moves between rooms with integrated wheels; the stand allows changes in height and orientation, including landscape and portrait modes for coding or social media.

    • Integrated audio: Built-in 5W x 2 stereo speakers for clear everyday use.

    • Connectivity: Features USB-C (65W power delivery), additional USB ports, HDMI (including eARC support), built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and supports wireless sharing via AirPlay 2 and Google Cast.

    • Smart TV Functionality: Direct access to Netflix, YouTube, Disney Plus, Apple TV, and over 300 live LG Channels, plus productivity options like Remote PC, Cloud PC, and LG Switch app for screen layout management.

    • Versatility: Can be used for work, entertainment, fitness apps, gaming, and as a personal gym with LG Fitness.

    Design and Usability

    • Highly mobile, so it fits home offices, living rooms, or shared spaces.

    • Glossy screen may reflect light in bright settings, which can affect viewing experience.

    • Awarded a CES 2025 Innovation Award for its flexible, feature-rich design.

    The LG 32U889SA is positioned as an all-in-one solution for modern, hybrid living and working environments, suitable for users who want a screen that adapts to many uses, from productivity to entertainment.

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LG Electronics and Sports Stadiums – Baltimore Ravens

LG Sports Stadiums Baltimore Ravens

LG Electronics has partnered with the Baltimore Ravens

From Sixteen-Nine — LG Electronics has partnered with the Baltimore Ravens and sports agency ANC to deliver next-generation display technology at M&T Bank Stadium, dramatically enhancing the fan experience for the 2025 and 2026 NFL seasons. The rollout includes over 12,000 square feet of digital signage, featuring a 216-foot landmark screen at Gate A, fine-pitch LED displays in field-level clubs, new video walls in the North, South, and Endzone Clubs, as well as updated signage and more than 100 new LG TVs throughout concourses and common areas.

Stadium Technology Highlights

  • The Gate A entrance now boasts the largest stadium screen, serving as a major visual landmark.

  • Field-level clubs have immersive fine-pitch LED displays, while the North and South clubs feature new video walls and curved screens.

  • Endzone Clubs and Hospitality Village have been modernized with LG digital signage to bring fans closer to game action.

  • Over 100 LG TVs have been installed throughout concourses, ensuring fans can enjoy highlights and live action from any area of the stadium.

Next-Phase Upgrades

  • After the 2025 season, a 2,300-square-foot transparent mesh LED display will be added to the northwest plaza façade and additional high-res screens placed at gates and plazas.

Marketing and Fan Engagement

  • The partnership goes beyond hardware, including digital marketing, fan events, a monthly “Most Reliable Player” series, and LG OLED TV giveaways tied to the brand’s home appliance reputation.

  • These efforts reinforce LG’s growing role in modernizing U.S. sports venues, including stadiums for the Boston Red Sox, Dallas Cowboys, and Atlanta Falcons.

The improvements at M&T Bank Stadium are designed to create a more connected, vibrant, and immersive fan environment using LG’s industry-leading digital signage and display innovations.

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The Must Have WCAG 2.2 AA Checklist by KMA

with process illustration by LG and also McDonald's

Must Have WCAG 2.2 AA Checklist by KMA

Note: with process illustration by LG and also McDonald’s. Here is a concise, one-page WCAG 2.2 AA checklist for developers, focusing on practical implementation steps and covering both continuing AA requirements and new 2.2 additions.

It is worth noting the process that LG went through in designing accessibility from the start.https://kma.global/lgs-next-gen-kiosks-advance-a-better-life-for-all.  Another recent resource is from McDonalds — McDonald’s Kiosk – Magnification and Reach Mode Accessibility — Extending Accessibility to Kiosks and Online From McDonald’s — Accessible to …

WCAG 2.2 AA Developer Checklist

Perceivable

  • Provide text alternatives (alt text) for images, icons, charts, and other non-text content.

  • Ensure all audio/video has captions and transcripts; provide audio descriptions for video when needed.

  • Ensure color contrast ratio is at least 4.5:1 for text and 3:1 for UI components.

  • Do not use color alone to convey meaning (use patterns, text or icons too).

  • Let users resize text to 200% with no loss of content or functionality.

  • Content must reflow responsively without horizontal scrolling, up to 400% zoom.

  • Don’t use images of text unless essential (e.g., logos).

Operable

  • All functionality must be accessible by keyboard only—test for “no mouse” use.

  • Provide visible focus indication for all interactive elements.

  • Ensure logical focus order and structure.

  • Allow enough time for users to read and use content (timing adjustable).

  • Do not design content that flashes more than three times per second.

  • Provide “Skip to Content” and use headings/landmarks for navigation.

  • Ensure multiple ways to locate pages (menus, search, sitemap, etc.).

  • Touch/drag functionality: Provide alternatives to dragging; all pointer targets ≥24×24 CSS pixels.

Understandable

  • Use clear, descriptive headings and labels throughout interfaces.

  • Identify the page’s language and any language changes in content.

  • Keep navigation and components consistent across pages.

  • When users make errors, identify them clearly and suggest corrections.

  • For critical actions, prevent errors by confirming before submission or reversible action.

  • Autofill and allow previously entered information for repeated forms (reducing redundant entry).

Robust

  • All content is compatible with screen readers and assistive technologies (use semantic HTML, ARIA roles/labels as needed).

  • Use valid code—no errors in HTML, ARIA, etc..

  • Ensure status messages (success/error notifications) are accessible to screen readers.

New (WCAG 2.2 AA) Requirements

  • Focus Not Obscured: Interactive elements must not be fully hidden by overlays or sticky headers when focused.

  • Consistent Help: Place help options (contact, chat, etc.) in the same location on all relevant pages.

  • Accessible Authentication: Login/authentication must not rely on memory, puzzles, or non-accessible methods; alternatives must be provided.

PDF The Must Have WCAG 2.2 AA Checklist by KMA

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Heathrow Flight Displays Running on Raspberry

Heathrow airport displays

Airport Flight Displays

Heathrow Airport has approximately 3,200 state-of-the-art Flight Information Displays (FIDS) installed across its four terminals as of 2025, following a recent modernization project.

From LinkedIn and Richard Freeman — I’m really excited to see the impact our new Flight Information Displays are making.

What might appear to be a simple screen replacement is actually the result of years of behind-the-scenes work. We’ve completely re-engineered our content distribution system to be flexible and device-agnostic, enabling us the freedom to thoroughly evaluate the market and select a solution that meets all our requirements.

The new displays from Sharp NEC Display Solutions Europe GmbH, paired with Raspberry Pi compute modules, offer a reliable, secure solution that has a significantly lower hardware cost and are 30–40% more energy efficient than our previous hardware — a major step forward in reducing our carbon and costs.

There’s still many displays yet to be replaced, but I’m thrilled with the initial results.

Thanks to Simon Hayes, Patrick Groothuizen, Alex Bailey and Simon Burgess for their ongoing support throughout this journey

FIDS Installations at Heathrow

Heathrow Airport completed a major upgrade to its Flight Information Display System (FIDS), resulting in about 3,200 display screens throughout all terminals. This modernization aimed to improve operational efficiency and the passenger experience, including enhanced viewing angles and reduced screen glare.adbsafegate

Historical Context

Previous counts and deployments suggested Heathrow once had over 11,000 FIDS screens, but that figure likely involved older systems and multiple auxiliary displays per airline and service point. A more recent source confirms the current number of advanced, networked screens is 3,200 as of 2025.nononsensedesign+1

Additional Information

  • The upgraded FIDS displays use smart 4K imaging for reliability and environmental benefits.adbsafegate

  • Each terminal, airline, and checkpoint features multiple FIDS screens for departures, arrivals, and gate information.nononsensedesign+1

Heathrow’s commitment to efficient information delivery is reflected in the extensive deployment and recent modernization of its Flight Information Displays.

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Explaining Yesco and Samsung

digital signage blog yesco samsung saga

Making Sense of Acquisitions is Usually Tough

After constantly seeing Yesco winning display and sign bids in the SLED market (dominating) we were interested to see the take by a critical ex-employee impacted by the Samsung buyout.  We are not the quintessential digital sign insiders, so our analysis is decidedly a bit different.  For us and business, its revenues. Entropy — getting bigger or getting smaller. We are more opinionated with buyouts like Zebra buying Elotouch, for example.  That was one mispresented and misrepresented as a big kiosk deal when in fact it is Zebra filling a few hardware holes before it takes on NCR in the SCO world, and the big prize, Walmart.

We tried to be objective with Yesco and Samsung, though generally, we are never praised by Samsung for our critical point of view. No matter. Seeing both sides is necessary.

Quick take? It looks promising for Utah, and it appears that Samsung may be disappointed and might now exit that business segment.  Smart decision by Yesco. Tough for the US, much less the Koreans, to beat the Chinese at LED manufacturing.  YESCO looks pretty smart overall. Samsung overthinks and has 10X the meetings it needs to have, and the wrong kind of meetings.

Bottom Line — YESCO, the sign division, has prospered quite well since the buyout. $300 million in revenue instead of $100 million. No loss of employees, in fact, more. Samsung will modify things with the LED portion. I wouldn’t underestimate Samsung’s capability.  Big companies move a bit slower, for sure.  Ex-employees can have their point of view and are free to express it.

Data

  • Samsung purchased the LED division (YESCO Electronics).
  • Sign division untouched
  • Samsung LED module manufacturing moved from China to Tijuana
  • 300 employees still at Prism in Utah (200 lost with LED move to Mexico?)
  • 2020 take by Samsung on Prismview — https://insights.samsung.com/2020/10/06/rooted-in-history-keen-on-the-future-the-prismview-story
  • 2024 revenue for Prismview — reported around $60M
  • Revenue for Young Electric Sign Company in 2020 —  $320M
  • In 2014 prior — Young Electric Overall $364M with Electronics value $100M

  • Comparison Table

    Division 2014 Estimate 2024 Estimate
    YESCO (sign/service) $200–$264 million ~$318.6 million
    YESCO Electronics ~$100 million ~$60.7 million (as Prismview)

    By 2024, total revenue for YESCO’s sign and service business remained strong and comparable to 2014 levels, but the former electronics division saw a notable decrease (from ~$100 million in 2014 to ~$61 million in 2024 as Prismview).

Excerpt from Samsung 2020

YESCO Electronics was established in the early 1990s with one aim: to sell electronic signs to casinos and other businesses on the Las Vegas Strip. With under 10 employees, the department had to be scrappy to stay alive.

“We’re small-town people,” says Blake Gover, a legacy engineer from the YESCO Electronics days and current technology consultant at Prismview. “But we were always hard-working, and very determined.”

The division’s fate came to a crossroads: YESCO Electronics executives weren’t convinced that it could thrive and compete. In 1994, a monumental decision was made: YESCO Electronics would double down on its mission to design, manufacture and install high-quality signs.

LinkedIn Writeup  (sour grapes)

In 2015, Samsung Electronics America purchased Yesco Electronics, an LED display manufacturer located in Logan, Utah. Yesco had experienced phenomenal growth in previous years with sales approaching $100 million in 2014. Ostensibly, Samsung purchased Yesco in order to gain a foothold in the outdoor LED business. Yesco had a tremendous amount of experience, having innovated, designed and installed thousands of electronic billboards across the country. Yesco had also delivered significant projects in many professional sports venues and iconic spectacular displays on Times Square. Yesco had growing pains like any large company, but the promise of Samsung being able to steady the ship and infuse much needed resources into product development was very promising.

Within the first year, it became evident to all of those who worked for Yesco, that Samsung had different ideas. Rather than adding to Yesco’s years of experience in design and product development, Samsung instead began to reject Yesco’s product focus and push in a completely different direction. Yesco was (and still is) a leader in the sign industry. Yesco had always been a custom display manufacturer and built their products in the largest segments possible. This allowed them to ship and assemble large displays onsite with a minimum of onsite labor required. Samsung no longer wanted to do anything that required any special design or handling of large display segments. Like all of the Chinese-designed products, Samsung wanted to pivot to a modular, building block cabinet concept. The problem was that Yesco’s internal product design did not align well with the design concept.  Rather than accepting this as a reality, Samsung tried to force the Yesco design into modular cabinets. It just didn’t work.  Eventually, Samsung decided to abandon custom designs, including the outdoor billboard industry completely, leaving that part of the business to competitors Daktronics and Watchfire.

The last major project to be produced at the Logan manufacturing plant was the very visible Sofi Stadium in Los Angeles. It was a monumental achievement and widely acclaimed as one of the most impressive LED displays in the sports world. Soon after that project was complete, Samsung shut down the Logan manufacturing facility, laid off most of the employees and moved all manufacturing to Mexico. At one time, Logan had over 500 employees and was operating 24/7 to meet the business’s demands. Almost overnight, it was all gone. It took Samsung only five years to completely destroy this once-thriving business.

Part 2.

After Sofi, Samsung continued to make one bad decision after another. A complete redesign to a modular cabinet design using only Samsung engineering designs was a mild success, but still wasn’t well received by end users or consultants, primarily because of high costs. Most recently, Samsung attempted to use rebranded Chinese-made products in their projects. This product was also rejected by consultants as not meeting standards of the industry. Slowly, many of the remaining long-time employees were laid off, including myself. Yesterday, the final nail was driven into the coffin for Samsung outdoor LED. Over 30 highly qualified sales team members, managers, project managers, designers, installers and A/V professionals were laid off with the announcement that Samsung will no longer pursue the outdoor LED business. It’s a sad day for me and for all of my former co-workers who were dedicated employees and worked so hard for so many years to make Samsung successful, in spite of their self-imposed ignorance.

Part 3.

From my perspective, managerial incompetence and a failure to listen to their valued employees is the primary reason for Samsung’s failure in this arena. There are still a few employees left working for Samsung who will continue to try to clean up the mess caused by the overlords. They will have a monumental task trying to keep their customers happy in a horrible, no-win scenario. For most of us, this is personal and much like a death. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Has Samsung Stumbled in LED space?

Yes, Samsung has notably stumbled in the LED business in recent years. As of late 2024, Samsung announced it would be exiting the mainstream LED market due to falling profitability, fierce competition from lower-cost Chinese competitors, rising production costs, and strategic shifts toward other technologies such as power semiconductors and micro-LEDs.trendforce+4

Key Issues Leading to Samsung’s Decline in LEDs

  • Samsung’s LED business suffered from aggressive price competition, especially from Chinese manufacturers, eroding profit margins and global market position.reddit+1

  • The company’s LED division could not maintain its competitive edge, despite annual sales reaching several billion yuan; it contributed too little to Samsung’s overall financial performance to remain viable.semiconductor-today+1

  • Production costs for LEDs rose steadily, and the market matured with declining growth rates, prompting Samsung to redirect investments.lightnowblog+1

  • Samsung confirmed phased withdrawal from LED chip manufacture, TV LED backlights, and automotive LEDs, aiming for completion by 2030.electronicsforyou+1

  • Most employees from the LED division are being reassigned to Samsung’s semiconductor, micro-LED, memory, and foundry businesses.compoundsemiconductor+1

Strategic Outcome

Samsung is exiting traditional LED production and focusing on more promising areas, such as power semiconductors and micro-LED displays.semiconductor-today+1

Samsung’s mainstream LED efforts have failed to meet expectations, leading to a strategic exit and a refocusing on advanced technologies and more profitable sectors.echemi+4

  1. https://www.trendforce.com/news/2024/10/24/news-samsung-electronics-exits-led-business/
  2. https://www.semiconductor-today.com/news_items/2024/oct/samsung-241024.shtml
  3. https://www.electronicsforyou.biz/industry-buzz/samsung-shifts-strategy-set-to-quit-led-business/
  4. https://www.lightnowblog.com/2024/10/samsung-to-gradually-exit-led-business-by-2030/
  5. https://www.echemi.com/cms/2092770.html
  6. https://www.reddit.com/r/cannabiscultivation/comments/1hdf6vf/no_more_samsung_leds/
  7. https://compoundsemiconductor.net/article/120428/Samsung_to_exit_LED_business
  8. https://migrolight.com/blogs/grow-light-news/samsung-exit-led-market
  9. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4j38TYxBmG0
  10. https://www.reddit.com/r/4kTV/comments/13j609e/whats_wrong_with_samsung/
  11. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s905UNfZ85M

 

Comments

  • Dave Haynes — The once mighty YESCO – a major player in outdoor LED in the early years of the US industry – is now a shadow of old self after it was sold and assimilated into Samsung.

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