Signs of the Times

(Today's Guest entry comes from Roger Sanford, MediaTile's VP of MediaServices)

Last week I attended the G2E, the Global Gaming Expo, in Las Vegas.   As the premier industry event for the casino and gaming industry, it was overflowing with new and engaging technologies and solutions.  Its obvious that the industry is looking to engage a younger audience, although conspicuously missing was the  inclusion of social media and human interaction.   Our HumanKiosk and MediaCast Video Presence solution was showcased in the DFI Tech booth (they are one of our primier hardware-certified partners) and it drew a lot of attention.  Catch a quick video introduction here.

We were showcasing an interactive virtual concierge, powered by MediaCast Video Presence.  The virtual concierge struck a chord with many of the Casinos, who are interested in providing better service throughout their properties.  We continue to find that regardless of market and vertical industry, this solution captures imaginations and help brands improve their customers experience.   It delivers immediate and accurate information, even in the native language of the viewer, including ASL (American Sign Language). 

This is all part of the overall market trend of satisfying customer demand for getting personal and immediate attention that is contextually relevant to their needs, when and where they want it.   This transformation of B2C communications to B2Me, is what is relevant to me.  For the social driven, web savvy digital generation, engagement is required and that's exactly what the MediaCast Video Presence is all about, delivering a personal advantage - as we like to say:  "Get personal with MediaCast."

(Today's guest entry comes from Mike Foster,
CMO and Co-Founder of MediaTile)

Yesterday, I blogged about the exciting activities being staged for tomorrow’s unveiling of two new interactive digital signage hardware platforms in the DFI TECH booth  (#4583) at InfoComm 2011 – both systems are powered by our MediaCast Video Presence system to deliver live, 2-way video sessions over 4G.  This is real 4G digital signage! 

Today, I’m pleased to report that our MediaCast Content Management System is also front and center at the show, powering Chilin Solutions’ digital signs and media players.   While many people think of MediaTile as a digital signage solutions provider (hardware & software), MediaTile's software division works directly with hardware solution providers – enabling them to deliver all the unique cloud-based, and personal advantages we bring to digital signage solutions.

This photo was snapped by Simon Wilson, MediaTile’s CEO during today’s setup.  Chilin Solutions’  70” portrait mode 1080 x 1920 display is being showcased at InfoComm, and is powered by the MediaCast  Content Management System running a variety of high resolution video content including our own MediaCast  advertisement.

(Today's guest entry comes from Mike Foster,
CMO and Co-Founder of MediaTile)

The MediaTile team is very excited to participate in this week’s InfoComm 2011 show in Las Vegas. This year we’ll have “presence through partners” and an exclusive focus on our digital signage cloud-based “software” offerings. And we’ve got a big announcement in the works with one our partners, DFI TECH, who will be unveiling two brand new interactive digital signage systems that use MediaCast Video Presence to deliver live, 2-way, face-to-face video over 4G networks. 

If you haven’t seen cloud-based customer service systems in action before, stop by booth #4583 (DFI TECH) and check them out – and catch our CEO, Simon Wilson, or Andy Lu from DFI TECH. You can read the pre-release announcement here on the blog, and stay tuned for the real announcement on Wednesday this week.

DFI TECH, a leader in design, manufacturing and integration of custom solutions, along with MediaTile, will be showcasing two new MediaCast Video Presence-powered hardware platforms: a portrait mode 22” and portrait mode 42” system.  Both systems are based on MediaTile’s HUMANKIOSK® HDRP (hardware design reference platform), and deliver a breakthrough in cloud-based customer service for brands, banks, retailers and other markets.

Today's guest post is provided by MediaTile's Vice President for MediaTile Sales, Heather Whalen.




MediaTile is the Premier Digital Signage M2M Partner for Verizon Wireless.

Verizon Wireless and MediaTile have joined forces to showcase our solutions at Emerging Technology Briefings across the United States. Atlantic City is one of several locations designated in 2011 to attract and engage potential customers with our digital mobile solutions.

Customers attending this event include the Tropicana - Atlantic City Casino/Resort, and Print Art Inc., a commercial printer servicing hospitality, retail and healthcare customers throughout the greater New Jersey area.

National Purchasing Partners (NPP) -another MediaTile Partner- will also be attending the event to showcase our product and service offerings to their own members. Verizon Mobile M2M partners at the event include IPVision and Blackberry .

At today's Emerging Technology Briefings, Jack Sera (of Verizon Wireless Enterprise Data Solutions for the Retail & Hospitality markets) spoke about creating a customer connected world. One of the examples he gave was this: customers debarking from a plane flight can immediately reserve a hotel room, purchase gifts (using QR codes) and make dinner reservations, anytime, anywhere, with the latest mobile wireless technology.

We look forward to providing you with updates as the tour continues!

(Today's guest entry comes from Mike Foster,
CMO and Co-Founder of MediaTile)

More “big news” today from MediaTile – make that “small news.”   This morning we announced a new, smaller form factor of our HumanKiosk. The new system is a 19” configuration that provides a more personal, and intimate experience.  But best of all, it can be deployed in far more locations than the larger, floor-standing versions. 

We’ll be demoing the new system, which our engineers internally refer to as “mini-me,” in booth #712 at this week’s CETW (Consumer Engagement Technology World) show in San Francisco on April 27 and 28.  Stop by and get a personal demo of this digital signage technology if you’re headed there.

As with our 32” and 42” HumanKiosk systems, the 19” system is powered by 4G networks and the cloud-based MediaCast Video Presence system. From recent discussions we’ve had with our 4G technology partners, it appears we have the only commercially available, cloud-based video call routing and content management system. 

More simply put, we have the ability to deliver a fully integrated interactive digital signage solution with live, 2-way video support. Why is this important? Well, for brands and retailers, they can now make their products experts available in real-time “through the cloud,” to answer detailed questions that consumers have, and in any language. Now that’s “big stuff.”

To learn more, check out our HumanKiosk video.  

(Today's guest entry comes from Mike Foster,
CMO and Co-Founder of MediaTile) 

Today is another big day for MediaTile, MarketStar and VerizonWireless. From the NAB 2011 show floor in Las Vegas in the VerizonWireless booth, we announced that HumanKiosk and MediaCast Video Presence pilot programs are now available for brands, retailers and other companies who need the unique and revolutionary services that this solution offers. 

Our HumanKiosk solution, powered by MediaCast Video Presence and 4G LTE, and staffed by MarketStar OnCall Experts™ enables brands to live test this breakthrough cloud-based customer service solution with their own products and services in their retail venues.  

Dave Treadway, CEO of MarketStar, the recognized leader in field, voice and digital sales and marketing, had this to say: 

“With OnCall Experts™ personally available at the touch of a button from anywhere, we now have the ability to provide experts in more locations, on demand, significantly lowering the cost of each customer interaction.  The HumanKiosk is an extension to our current offerings as it enables us to cover our clients’ secondary and remote markets with an equivalent level of personal service and expert knowledge with the addition of multi-language support.”

(Today's guest entry comes from Mike Foster, CMO and Co-Founder of MediaTile) 

Over the past six months MediaTile has been very active with both Sprint and Verizon Wireless 4G launch events across the country as new cities are “lit” with a new generation of high-bandwidth wireless services. 

As we near our 50th 4G launch event this week, customer reactions to our “cloud-based” solutions – which deliver  both the advantages of 3G and 4G cellular (wireless) digital signage and SaaS-based content management services – continue to be met with a combination of relief and awe.

Simply put, cloud-based digital signage eliminates many of the costs and complexities associated with traditional deployments that require heavy investment and maintenance in on-site IP-based network gear and services.  Unlike these traditional systems, cloud-based digital signage is remarkably simple to deploy, and easy to use.  While in Phoenix, at a recent Verizon Wireless 4G LTE launch event,  it was fortunate that I was demonstrating our HumanKiosk with MediaCast Video Presence next to an artistic display in the US Airways center that featured a 20-foot power cable, plugged into a 10-foot representation of a power outlet.  

Thinking back on one of our earliest taglines at MediaTile, which was “Just Add Power™” I couldn’t have asked for a more representative location.  With 3G/4G wireless services being built-into our media players, and complete control through our web-based MediaCast system, all you need for next digital signage deployment is a standard power outlet.  And with advanced 4G services, even on-site T1 networks pale in comparison to what is possible with cloud-based digital signage. 

(Today's Guest entry comes from Roger Sanford, MediaTile's VP of MediaServices) 

From the Alcatel-Lucent booth #34569, center stage at CES 2011 in Las Vegas, MediaTile is showcasing three advanced prototype solutions that are powered by our MediaCast system, Video Presence and 4G LTE high-bandwidth wireless networks.   These solutions deliver real industry breakthroughs and customer advantages – or as Alcatel-Lucent puts it: "transformative retail solutions."

The innovative proof-of-concept solutions from MediaTile, in collaboration with ng Connect program members, include the following:

·  HumanKiosk Virtual Concierge, powered by MediaCast Video Presence and 4G LTE, enables visitors to hospitality venues, especially foreign visitors, communicate face-to-face with an on-demand video-attendant in the language of their choice, using our 2-way video capabilities. The viewer can also use the touch screen to interact with scheduled digital promotions.

·   GameTime Media Table, powered by the MediaCast System and 4G LTE, is a connected, touch-screen media tabletop where users can consume media, play games and share social networking apps, and even interact with their smart phone.

·   HumanKiosk Video Jukebox / Hotspot, powered by the MediaCast System and 4G LTE,  is a next generation jukebox that allows consumers to listen to their favorite artists, buy music, videos, movies and more; if they like what they see or hear, they can purchase that media element.

Thanks to the enormous bandwidth that 4G LTE has to offer, it’s like having 5 T-1 lines without any of the on-site network gear, or supportive maintenance.  This makes 4G LTE-enabled solutions a great fit for retail environments, hotels, and other venues – you simply need to add power.   To read the full press release, click here.
 

(Today's guest entry comes from Mike Foster, CMO and Co-Founder of MediaTile) 

Today is day two for me at the Sprint Developer’s Conference in Santa Clara, CA.  Yesterday, Sprint M2M president Danny Bowman, and VP of Marketing Wayne Ward gave an enlightening keynote on Sprint’s view of the Machine to Machine market to the more than 1200 attendees in a packed room.  

The key focus of this event is on Sprint partners, such as MediaTile, and the use of embedded modems and 3G/4G data services included in vertical solutions.  As Danny explained in his keynote “We’re only as good as the partnership we have...we’ can’t do any of this without the participation of folks in this room.” 

MediaTile was prominently featured in their keynote presentation as a perfect example of an M2M partner, and how our Cellular Digital Signage /HumanKiosk uses the Sprint 4G network to deliver new 2-way video capabilities in the digital signage / kiosk marketplace.  This created serious attention and traffic to our HumanKiosk demonstration area, located in the main exhibit hall.  If you’re still at the show today or tomorrow, stop by and I’ll give you a personal demonstration.    Yesterday, I was accompanied by Jessica, pictured above, who helped with the product demonstrations. 

If you’d like to learn more about how 4G will fundamentally change the digital signage industry, you can download this free 3G/4G Digital Signage whitepaper from the Digital Signage Today site.

(Today's guest entry comes from Mike Foster, CMO and Co-Founder of MediaTile) 

Yesterday, I attended the grand opening of Sprint’s M2M (Machine to Machine) Collaboration Center in Burlingame, CA.  As MediaTile is the leader in 3G/4G cellular digital signage, it was both an honor and a privilege to attend this event and to have our latest prototype, the HumanKiosk, prominently featured with a variety of other "game-changers." 

With press and analysts in attendance, it was also nice to see the positive reaction and interest that the HumanKiosk continues to draw. This photo is of one of our Sprint Solutions Engineers, Larry, giving a demonstration of the HumanKiosk to one of the six press groups who came through.
 

The purpose of the center, as you can read from the Sprint website is that the Sprint M2M Collaboration Center brings together Sprint partners, equipment providers, customers and employees to rapidly prototype, test and launch concepts and new ideas." The press release was issued this morning, and lists all the Sprint 4G M2M collaborators, including MediaTile.

If you’d lke to learn more about how 4G will fundamentally change the digital signage industry, you can download this free 3G/4G Digital Signage whitepaper from the Digital Signage Today site.

Today I am off to the Sprint Open Developers conference in Santa Clara, again showcasing MediaTile’s 3G/4G cellular digital signage and the HumanKiosk. You can learn more about that event here. I’ll post about that one tomorrow.

(Today's Guest entry comes from Mike Foster, CMO and Co-Founder of MediaTile) 

I’m here at CTIA in San  Francisco, and the show theme is the “Wireless Enterprise”.  So what better time than now for Verizon Wireless to announce their 4G LTE launch plans?  Verizon Wireless President and COO, Lowell McAdam, unveiled the company’s plans to launch 4G LTE services in 38 cities, covering 110 million people by the end of the year.   Big news indeed!

I was equally impressed by the vision that Verizon Wireless, as well as Sprint and other carriers, share for 4G-enabled solutions. They see 4G as a true transformation of their  (and others') industry - enabling a whole new generation of connected M2M (Machine to Machine) devices extending beyond traditional handheld devices. MediaTile has been living this vision since its inception, with our embedded 3G and emerging 4G cellular digital signage platform. But now, with 4G, we can offer revolutionary products and services such as the 4G HumanKiosk with 2-way video.

From MediaTile’s perspective, where 3G cellular digital signage solutions were engaging,  4G solutions will be truly immersive.  And since we’re supporting both platforms, 4G WiMax and 4G LTE, we’ve got all bases covered.

For more info about Verizon's plans for the world’s largest LTE network rollout, check out this article from Mobile Business Briefing News...
 

(Today's Guest entry comes from Mike Foster, CMO and Co-Founder of MediaTile) 

Today we are showcasing MediaTile’s award-winning HumanKiosk prototype in Sprint’s booth at the CTIA show in San Francisco:  #543 West Concourse.   If you are planning on attending CTIA this week, please stop by and I’ll give you a demonstration of this next-generation interactive digital signage platform with live, 2-way video capabilities.

It was also great to see Sprint announce its new Command Center at the show today.  The Sprint Command Center is essentially a web-based portal that is targeted to M2M  (machine to machine) companies such as MediaTile.  The Command Center will enable us to provision and manage our 3G and 4G cellular digital signage networks.  So not only has Sprint enabled us to embed a secure, wireless network directly into our digital signage product line, we’ll now have the ability to better manage it on behalf of our customers, and our customer’s customers.

If you’re not familiar with the HumanKiosk, check it out here.