With the beginning of baseball season, several Major League teams have upgraded their stadium technology in time for opening day – one of them being the Atlanta Braves. The club has refreshed several key LED assets, including the Delta Out of Town scoreboard, an outfield LED ribbon board, and the display above the Georgia Power Pavilion Stage outside the stadium.

The new scoreboard features a 10 mm pixel pitch and measures 90 feet wide by 28 feet tall, delivering significantly higher resolution than its 16 mm predecessor. A new 200-level LED ribbon, also using a 10 mm pixel pitch, now runs along the fascia of The Launching Pad – a new hospitality area with six private, open-air boxes. All of the displays, including the one at the Georgia Power Pavilion, use SNA Display LED technology, which now has around 10 installations throughout the stadium.

Signage and In-Seat Entertainment

Beyond the large LED installations, Truist Park also operates an extensive network of digital signage that partially supports DooH advertising, as well as menu boards. More than 700 displays run on Uniguest’s digital signage and IPTV platform.

An additional 330 displays are installed in the right-field premium seating areas and behind home plate to enhance in-seat fan engagement. These IP55-rated, outdoor-ready touchscreens are produced by Atlanta-based manufacturer Bluefin. Designed for visibility in direct sunlight, they reach brightness levels of over 1,000 nits and operate within a temperature range of 0 to 50 degrees Celsius.

Approximately 200 of these units are 12.1-inch models, while the remainder are 15.6-inch displays. All are powered by a built-in BrightSign SoC, although Bluefin’s Flex-OS architecture is not limited to a single operating system.

By integrating IPTV into the display network, the system can broadcast TV content directly to fans, giving them access to live game coverage, highlights from around the league, and instant replays.

Together, the upgraded large-format video assets and the existing displays across the Stadium highlight how fully connected networks can elevate fan engagement across the stadium while also unlocking new opportunities for advertising monetization.

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A new UK service called Panelwise has launched to help schools manage the costs and disruption caused by classroom display failures once manufacturer warranties expire.

The offering is aimed at a growing installed base of interactive screens that are now moving beyond their typical five-year warranty period, shifting responsibility for repairs and replacements onto schools.

With an estimated 450,000 classroom displays in use across the UK, that transition is creating budget pressure for schools already dealing with tighter financial oversight and longer technology lifecycles.

Panelwise is positioned as a fixed-cost support model that allows schools to extend the usable life of existing screens, reducing the need for sudden replacement spending and helping bring more predictability to technology budgets.

The service is designed to work across mixed estates and multiple display brands, providing support that includes triage, swap-outs and longer-term lifecycle planning.

“Schools are dealing with a very real challenge as large numbers of classroom screens move out of warranty at the same time,” said Ali Hayward, managing director of Panelwise. “When something fails, it’s not just a technical issue. It becomes a budget decision, a procurement decision, and often a disruption to teaching.”

Hayward brings more than 25 years of experience in the education technology sector, including senior roles at Promethean, RM, Granada Learning, Xerox, and HP.

Panelwise is supported operationally by Equinox Maintenance, a UK-based service provider focused on engineering, repair, and refurbishment, giving the service national coverage and the ability to handle on-site response, device replacement, and recycling.

The model also leans into circular economy practices, including refurbishment and reuse, as schools look to extend asset lifecycles rather than replace equipment at the first point of failure.

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The expanded agreement targets enterprise customers looking to unify workplace communications, digital signage, and space management tools across regions, as demand grows for more integrated workplace platforms.

It builds on Appspace’s prior recognition of Kinly as a Gold Standard integration partner, extending an existing relationship into a broader global rollout.

Combining Appspace’s workplace experience software with Kinly’s capabilities in system design, deployment, integration, and managed services, the partnership is positioned around demand for fewer fragmented tools and more centralized control of communications and office services.

Appspace’s recent positioning as a Leader in the first Gartner Magic Quadrant for Workplace Experience Applications adds context to the deal, with the category focused on platforms that manage office resources, communications, and employee services in hybrid environments.

For multinational customers, the global agreement is intended to deliver more consistent workplace experiences across locations, supported by local integration and ongoing managed services.

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For CMS developers in Europe and North America, a new wave of competition from the East is beginning to take shape. China’s display manufacturers are quick to identify trends, and their pace of innovation is close to none. At Infocomm China, established and lesser-known hardware vendors alike presented software solutions such as CMS and Remote Device Management (RDM) for the first time. The solutions are not positioned as standalone products from ISVs, but as components of integrated, AI-driven ecosystems backed by financially strong hardware players. Often fully integrated and packaged with the hardware at no extra cost.

For now, Navori, Vertiseit & Co. have little reason for concern. When it comes to software and AI, Western customers – given the current geopolitical climate – are unlikely to adopt Chinese solutions. At the same time, Chinese customers have long relied primarily on domestic platforms. Especially in DooH, CMS deployments must be accessible to state authorities by design. One of the few Western companies to have successfully established itself in China is Telelogos. With its on‑premise CMS solution, the software pioneers from France continues to serve successfully large Chinese enterprises through local partners.

That said, the pressure to innovate will increase. ProAV has now become part of China’s five‑year strategic planning. Against this backdrop, Chinese AI hyperscalers such as Alibaba, Huawei and Tencent may, in the future, become relevant platforms for Western digital signage ISVs, too – alongside Azure, AWS and Google Cloud. China’s hyperscaler are growing rapidly also outside of their home market in APAC, South America and Africa. This could open new opportunities in markets outside the West that are increasingly shaped by Chinese AI platforms,

As China’s emerging display giants expand to EMEA and across APAC, Western ISVs will need to support SoCs from Chinese manufacturers such as Hisense, TCL, BOE and Skyworth – either natively or via middleware platforms like SignageOS. The good news: these are typically Android-based SoCs, albeit with manufacturer-specific characteristics.

China’s domestic market will remain a mostly closed market for Western ISVs, but Chinese manufacturers acquisition of established visual solution providers, their global expansion and China’s AI hyperscalers growing relevance in many markets provides interesting growth potential.

• Atlanta: Braves Upgrade Stadium Tech with LED Overhaul
• Panelwise: Help for UK Schools to Manage Display Failures
• Partnerships: Kinly Expands Appspace Partnership
• Beyond Hardware: AI and Software Take Center Stage
• Infocomm China 2026: Signage Goes Thin, Green, and AI

The post Beyond Hardware: AI and Software Take Center Stage first appeared on invidis.

At Infocomm China 2026, visitors had to search carefully to find conventional SMD-based LED solutions. The future of LED display technology has unmistakably begun: MiniLED and MicroLED were omnipresent at the ISE sister show in Beijing. From massive 8K video walls to transparent LED and architectural LED surfaces with wood or stone finishes (Unilumin, TPV/Philips), the direction of travel is clear.

Unilumin summed up one of the trends of the show with its slogan “Turn off the display, turn on the art.” TPV Philips brands it COB Art Texture Screen. They all offer COB screens fitted with an textile layer, enabling a more aesthetically pleasing integration.  

Besides Art LEDs an unexpectedly broad range of green signage solutions were on display. Cold LED technologies, e-paper, and extended product lifecycles were recurring themes throughout the halls. Any assumption that China is lagging behind on sustainability is wide of the mark. The country’s five-year plan targets a 17 percent reduction in CO₂ emissions by 2030 – and the ProAV industry has clearly aligned itself with these goals. Nowhere is this more evident than in Beijing, where government procurement strongly influences the national digital signage market.

Energy efficiency is no longer a marketing argument – in China it is a requirement. A fitting feature at temperatures of more than 25 degrees Celsius, where the exhibition halls felt more like saunas. In line with China’s current energy-saving policy, air conditioning across the venue remained largely switched off.

AI Moves from Feature to Foundation

Artificial intelligence has become an essential building block across the ProAV ecosystem. At Infocomm China, vendors large and small showcased integrated AI functionalities – sometimes delivering tangible added value, sometimes simply demonstrating technical capability.

Examples with real relevance included Unilumin’s multilingual ZBrain AI concierge and advanced remote device management solutions. Other applications, such as AI-powered content generation or on-the-fly translation, felt more experimental. Still, certain use cases stood out: Flytek’s table microphones with integrated displays and real-time AI translation address a genuine pain point. After all, few conference participants want to spend an entire day wearing an earpiece or starring on a small mobile display for live translation.

Predictably, humanoid robots also featured prominently – though their direct connection to ProAV was not always obvious. In combination with AI concierge solutions, they are intended to guide and inform visitors. Above all, however, they serve as experiential touchpoints – bringing us back, once again, to the core strength of digital signage: creating engagement.

Ultra-Thin MicroLEDs as a Statement

One of the standout innovations at the show came from Samplex. The company presented exceptionally thin MicroLED solutions that are setting new standards in display integration. Double-sided MicroLED panels, suspended from the ceiling, featured a housing depth of just 20 millimetres. Even more impressive: Thin-LED variants measuring only 14 millimetres depth, designed to be mounted directly onto glass surfaces – without complex and heavy supporting structures.

Modules are connected with low-power voltage fibre cable – connected to an external control box that doesn’t require receiver cards. With an energy consumption of just 60 watts per square metre, Samplex’s solution is also remarkably efficient compared to conventional LED displays. This combination of minimalism, flexibility, and efficiency points to a new generation of LED design – one driven as much by architecture and sustainability as by resolution and brightness.

New focus on ProAV in China’s Five-Year Plan

China’s economic success is closely tied to long-term government strategies published in five-year economic plans. Even though in today’s fast-changing world, five-year plans feel a little bit out of touch, China’s communist system remains fully committed.

The latest five-year economic plans – the 15th five-year Plan (2026–2030) – for example, electromobility no longer occupies the central role it once did. ProAV, however, has secured indirect political backing. High on the government’s agenda is the technology sector, with a clear objective: securing supply chains for technologies with dual civil and military relevance. From digital signage to command-and-control centers, ProAV solutions fall into this category.

For the ProAV industry, this new focus will be relevant. In China, where state influence on procurement is substantial, alignment with strategic priorities usually boosts sales considerably.

• Atlanta: Braves Upgrade Stadium Tech with LED Overhaul
• Panelwise: Help for UK Schools to Manage Display Failures
• Partnerships: Kinly Expands Appspace Partnership
• Beyond Hardware: AI and Software Take Center Stage
• Infocomm China 2026: Signage Goes Thin, Green, and AI

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U.S.-based investment firm 26North has closed its inaugural private equity fund at $5.9 billion, surpassing its $4 billion target and signaling strong investor demand for middle-market opportunities.

The fund drew commitments from a broad global base, including pension plans, sovereign wealth funds, endowments, insurance companies, and family offices.

Founded in 2022, 26North has quickly scaled into a multi-asset platform managing more than $35 billion across private equity, credit, and insurance strategies.

The firm is targeting middle- and upper-middle-market companies, positioning the segment as underserved by larger asset managers and offering opportunities for value creation through hands-on operational involvement.

The fund has already deployed capital across several sectors, including technology, media, industrials, and services, through a mix of buyouts, carve-outs, and structured equity investments.

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According to multiple reports, SBI Holdings is in discussions with MSG Entertainment, the group behind the Sphere, as it evaluates the feasibility of bringing a similar format to Japan.

Early-stage plans suggest a venue with a capacity of around 20,000 seats, centered on a fully immersive visual environment driven by large-format LED display technology. While details remain limited, the concept would mirror the wraparound, high-resolution display approach that has positioned the Las Vegas Sphere as a new benchmark for live entertainment and digital media experiences.

A potential site under consideration is Tokyo’s waterfront district, including areas such as Odaiba, which has seen ongoing redevelopment efforts tied to tourism and large-scale attractions.

The project is still at an exploratory stage, with no confirmed timeline or investment details. However, the move reflects growing global interest in next-generation venues that combine architecture, media, and storytelling into a single platform.

For the ProAV and digital signage ecosystem, a Tokyo-based Sphere-style venue would represent another high-profile deployment of advanced LED systems at a massive scale, further reinforcing the role of immersive display environments in live events, branded experiences, and destination-driven entertainment.

The concept is already moving beyond the U.S., with a second Sphere planned for Abu Dhabi and a growing number of “Sphere-like” venue concepts being explored elsewhere.

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Avixa has postponed its new Middle East trade show to 2027. Originally scheduled for 27–28 October this year, the event – dubbed “Infocomm Edge” – is now set to take place on the same dates one year later. The host location will remain the Festival Arena in Dubai.

“After close consultation with our partners in the region, we’ve taken a deliberate decision to move the full event to 2027 to ensure it lands with maximum impact – particularly at a time when government bodies are aligning investment decisions with long-term strategic priorities,” said David Labuskes, CTS, CAE, CEO of Avixa.

Preview Event Planned for Q4

As the geopolitical situation in the Middle East remains too unpredictable to plan for a full-scale trade show, Avixa is pivoting to an interim step: a preview event. The “Edge Preview” will be held as an invitation-only gathering sometime in the fourth quarter of 2026 in Dubai.

The preview event will focus on collaborative formats aimed at exploring how integrated AV technologies can contribute to regional development. Topics are expected to include productivity, user engagement, talent retention, and broader economic factors such as investor confidence and destination attractiveness.

Showcase-Focused Concept Stays in Place

According to Avixa, planning for Infocomm Edge 2027 is continuing in parallel. Integration companies have reportedly begun submitting design concepts for core event elements, with an emphasis on demonstrating the measurable outcomes of AV deployments in real-world environments.

“The positive response to our announcement of Infocomm Edge earlier this year reinforced a clear market need for a different kind of event – one focused on how integrated AV delivers real-world outcomes,” said David Labuskes, CTS, CAE, CEO of Avixa. “At the same time, this year’s Edge Preview will be a focused, high-value forum designed for the current moment. By bringing together senior decision-makers, end users, and consultants, we will be creating a space to explore how AV can actively support regional regeneration, productivity, and engagement – and to shape the direction of Infocomm Edge 2027 through real collaboration and shared insight.”

A central role in shaping the event is played by the Infocomm Edge End User Council, a group of regional organizations contributing to the development and evaluation of these concepts. Confirmed participants include companies and institutions such as Emirates, du, the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority, Sharjah Education Academy, Atlantis, Miral, and Jollibee.

Further details regarding the Edge Preview, including the exact date and venue, are expected to be announced in the coming months. Avixa also indicated that a limited number of partnership opportunities for technology vendors will be made available.

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It was long held up as the flagship of Samsung’s European display manufacturing: the production facility for MicroLED The Wall in Galanta, Slovakia. Now, however, the site – primarily dedicated to TV manufacturing – is set to close.

In an official statement, the company said: “Samsung Electronics has made the difficult decision to shut down its visual display production facility in Slovakia following a review of its global TV manufacturing network. For nearly 24 years, the plant has supported our growth in Europe.”

The wording of the announcement suggests that TV production played the central role in the decision. The global TV market is currently undergoing significant upheaval, with Chinese brands such as TCL and Hisense steadily capturing market share from long-established Korean and Japanese manufacturers.

One of Three Global Sites

Since 2022, Galanta has also been home to the production of The Wall, with the facility specializing in the IWA and IAB series and primarily serving the European market. It was one of just three The Wall production sites worldwide, alongside Ho Chi Minh City and Mexico.

How production will now be redistributed – or whether the line will be relocated to a new site – remains unclear. invidis has reached out to Samsung, awaiting further comment.

“Made in Europe” in Question

Until now, Samsung has actively marketed The Wall units from Galanta under a “Made in Europe” label. In recent years, geopolitical instability has prompted many manufacturers to bring production closer to their core markets. Should Samsung decide against re-establishing the line within Europe, it would mark a departure from this broader industry trend.

Samsung emphasized that the decision affects only the production facility. The company will continue its commercial operations in Slovakia.

The closure was first reported by AV Magazine.

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DooH network operator Backlite has expanded its premium large-format digital out-of-home portfolio with the launch of The Knightsbridge, a revamped installation at London’s Piccadilly Underpass near Hyde Park Corner.

Developed in partnership with infrastructure owner Wildstone, the site features two 2.8m x 14.4m (9.2 ft x 47.2 ft) digital screens positioned on eastbound and westbound approaches, targeting both vehicular and pedestrian traffic moving through nearby districts including Knightsbridge, Belgravia, and Mayfair. The displays generate more than three million impressions every two weeks.

The upgrade brings the location into Backlite UK’s Landmark Series, a collection of high-profile London assets aimed at luxury advertisers. Other sites in the portfolio include The Cube @ Flannels, Shoreditch Stack, and Wandsworth Roundabout.

Wildstone, which owns the asset, secured a long-term license for the underpass through a tender process run by Westminster City Council. Backlite UK now manages media sales.

The Knightsbridge is one of more than 10 London locations included in a broader agreement between Wildstone and Backlite UK’s parent company, Multiply Media Group. The deal includes a refurbishment program to upgrade premium outdoor advertising sites, with Hyde Park Corner among the early projects.

Brands including Burberry, Club Med, and Franck Muller have already advertised on the site.

Jack Fleming, Head of Sales at Backlite UK, said the location stands out within a high-value retail and leisure corridor, with limited comparable inventory nearby.

Andrew Foster, Group Partnerships Director at Wildstone, added that the site’s central London location made it well-suited to premium advertisers, with both companies aligned on positioning it at the top end of the market.

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