South Korean OoH media operator KED has launched a connected digital out of home network in Seoul’s Myeongdong tourism and shopping district.

Tentatively named Myeongdong Avenue, the network initially features seven digital media structures installed along a roughly 200-meter (656 feet) section of the district’s main street.

Each structure carries three screens measuring 2 meters wide by 6.5 meters high (about 6.5 feet wide by 21 feet high). The three-sided design allows advertising to be seen by pedestrians and passing vehicles approaching from different directions.

Rather than operating as standalone displays, the screens are connected as a single network. Advertisers can therefore run coordinated campaigns and repeat messages as pedestrians move along the street.

Thirteen structures planned

KED plans to install another six structures by the end of 2026, bringing the Myeongdong Avenue network to 13.

Myeongdong is one of Seoul’s best-known tourism and retail destinations. The district includes department stores, fashion and luxury retailers, hotels, and other tourism-related businesses, and attracts both Korean shoppers and international visitors.

The launch expands KED’s out-of-home portfolio into another major consumer destination in Seoul. The company already operates OoH advertising businesses on Seoul buses and at Incheon International Airport and Jamsil Baseball Stadium.

With Myeongdong Avenue, KED is extending its footprint into a prominent tourism and shopping district while adding a street-level network designed for synchronized campaigns rather than individual screen placements.

The post Urban DooH Networks: KED Launches Connected DOOH Network in Seoul first appeared on invidis.

For years, the digital signage industry has argued that professional displays and consumer TVs are fundamentally different products. The latest cybersecurity research into connected TV ecosystems is yet another reminder that this distinction matters more than ever.

Recent investigations into LG consumer TVs have once again highlighted the extensive use of Automatic Content Recognition (ACR), a technology designed to identify viewed content and support highly targeted advertising models. For TV manufacturers, the connected TV advertising business has become an increasingly profitable revenue stream. The more data collected, the greater the monetization potential.

But content tracking may only be part of the story.

Even more concerning is the possibility of devices listening to conversations taking place around the screen. Tracking what is displayed is one thing. Potentially capturing what is being discussed nearby is an entirely different matter. Hidden, poorly disclosed, or little-understood always-on microphones have no place in professional environments. Regardless of what may be buried in lengthy terms and conditions, such practices raise serious concerns. Beyond the obvious privacy implications, unintended audio capture can expose confidential discussions, intellectual property, and commercially sensitive information.

B2B a different world

The issue is not the technology itself. Data collection in exchange for free or subsidized services is a legitimate business model and a cornerstone of today’s digital economy. The terms and conditions are typically disclosed, even if reading them requires the commitment of a long-haul flight. The real problem is that enterprise environments operate under fundamentally different expectations than living rooms.

Whether displaying corporate dashboards in meeting rooms, operational information in control centers, or promotional content at the point of sale, organizations expect display infrastructure to act as a trusted endpoint, not as a data collection platform.

This is precisely why ACR has never been a feature requirement in professional digital signage displays. Professional screens are designed to display content, not monetize viewer behavior. The latest findings therefore reinforce a message the industry has been making for years: consumer TVs have no place in enterprise-critical environments.

The argument extends far beyond digital signage. Meeting rooms, command centers, healthcare facilities, transportation hubs, retail environments, and corporate communications networks all handle information that may be commercially sensitive, operationally critical, or subject to compliance requirements. In these environments, even the possibility of unintended data collection creates unacceptable risk.

Cybersecurity is key

Professional display manufacturers have responded by building products and ecosystems specifically designed for commercial deployment. Unlike consumer TVs, professional displays with integrated SoC platforms are not built around advertising monetization. For highly regulated environments, organizations can even deploy so-called “naked displays” with no embedded intelligence at all.

Of course, a display without intelligence still requires a media player to deliver content. But that merely shifts the security discussion to another endpoint. A “dumb” display ultimately needs a smart media player, and that player must be deployed, managed, monitored, and secured according to enterprise standards.

The encouraging news is that the digital signage industry is increasingly addressing these challenges with robust cybersecurity frameworks. Samsung, for example, has invested heavily in Knox, providing hardware-backed security and end-to-end protection across its Tizen ecosystem. Microsoft is pursuing a similar strategy through MDEP, combining enterprise management capabilities with a certified Android platform. Across the industry, cybersecurity certifications, encryption, device management, and secure software architectures are rapidly moving from optional features to baseline requirements.

The trust questions

This reflects a broader shift in customer priorities. Historically, display purchasing decisions were driven by screen size, brightness, resolution, and price. Today, procurement teams increasingly involve IT, cybersecurity, compliance, and risk-management stakeholders. The conversation is no longer limited to hardware specifications. It is about trust.

Can the manufacturer be trusted? Can the operating system be securely managed throughout its lifecycle? Will vulnerabilities be patched in a timely manner? Is the ecosystem transparent about data collection practices? These questions have become just as important as image quality, energy efficiency, or total cost of ownership.

The latest connected TV case serves as a powerful reminder that not all screens are created equal. Displays may have become a commodity, but security architectures certainly have not.

As digital signage networks continue to expand and connect ever deeper into enterprise infrastructures, trust is becoming one of the industry’s most valuable currencies. Choosing a screen is no longer simply a hardware decision. It is a cybersecurity decision.

And in an era where every endpoint matters, trust may well be the most important specification of all.

The post Opinion: Trust Is the New Hardware Specification first appeared on invidis.

The combination of Playipp and PADS4 appears strategically compelling. Both companies operate through partner-only channels and share a strong software focus, yet their respective strengths are highly complementary.

PADS4 brings an exceptionally broad global customer base, deep enterprise experience, and a strong foothold in airport and transportation environments. However, like many first-generation digital signage software vendors, the company remained committed to perpetual licensing models for longer than much of the market. Parts of the underlying technology stack have also begun to show their age compared to more modern cloud-native platforms.

Playipp approaches the market from the opposite direction. The Swedish vendor has built its platform around a modern technology stack, a SaaS-only business model, and a cloud-first architecture aligned with current market expectations.

The challenge now lies in integration. Bringing together nearly 100 employees across multiple countries, cultures, and product organisations will require careful execution. Yet the prospects appear favourable. Swedish and Dutch business cultures tend to share a pragmatic, collaborative approach, providing a solid foundation for organisational alignment.

Playipp goes international

For existing PADS4 customers, the acquisition could ultimately accelerate their access to modern cloud services, AI-driven functionality, and a future-proof software roadmap. For Playipp, the deal instantly elevates the company from a Scandinavian success story to a genuinely international software platform.

More importantly, the transaction positions Playipp as a serious participant in the ongoing consolidation of the European digital signage industry. Alongside Vertiseit and Zetadisplay, a third significant software-led player with Swedish roots is now emerging, backed by an experienced software investor and an increasingly ambitious M&A strategy.

The message is clear: this acquisition is not the end of Playipp’s consolidation journey. It is only the beginning.

The post Playipp Deal Analysis: A Strong Strategic Fit with More to Come first appeared on invidis.

The consolidation of the European digital signage software market gains momentum also beyond the well known market players. Swedish digital signage provider Playipp has acquired NDS, the Dutch-French software company behind the long-established PADS4 platform. The transaction marks Playipp’s first major expansion beyond Scandinavia and significantly strengthens its international presence.

The combined company now brings together more than 200,000 licenses, a customer base spanning 75 plus countries, and annual revenues exceeding EUR 11 million. The newly formed group has the potential to become one of the leading independent digital signage software vendors.

For PADS4, the acquisition marks the beginning of a new chapter after decades as one of the industry’s most recognised CMS developers. Founded in the Netherlands, PADS4 belongs to the first generation of dedicated digital signage software vendors and has successfully built a truly international customer base over the years.

Today, the company’s  platform is used by more than 2,500 customers across 75 countries, making it one of the most widely deployed digital signage CMS solutions originating from Europe. As a long-standing Samsung SoC partner, PADS4 has maintained a strong global presence and remains a familiar name at industry trade shows worldwide.

One of the company’s core vertical markets is the airport sector. More than 80 airports globally rely on PADS4 for flight information display systems (FIDS) and passenger communications. Fittingly, PADS4 is headquartered directly at Eindhoven Airport in the Netherlands.

From Scandinavian hidden champion to European consolidator

Outside Scandinavia, Playipp remains relatively under the radar despite its growing regional position. Over the past years, however, the company has quietly established itself as one of Northern Europe’s most successful digital signage software vendors.

Led by CEO Henrik Mazzanti, Playipp took its first major consolidation step 2024 with the acquisition of Norwegian competitor Databeat. The combined Scandinavian business now employs around 60 full-time staff, generates more than EUR 7 million in annual revenue, and manages an installed base of approximately 50,000 media players.

The acquisition of PADS4 significantly expands that footprint and introduces a large international customer community to the Playipp ecosystem.

Equally important is the backing of Swedish software investor Monterro, which acquired Playipp in 2023 and has provided the financial foundation and strategic support for the company’s ambitious growth strategy.

In an exclusive interview with invidis, Playipp CEO Henrik Mazzanti described the transaction as a transformational milestone:

“The acquisition is a major step for PLAYpp in becoming a truly relevant international software provider. PADS4and Playipp are highly complementary companies, and we are connected not only through our partner-only go-to-market strategy. We believe the combined business will accelerate growth significantly. One plus one equals more than two.”

Building a unified European platform

The strategic rationale behind the acquisition goes beyond scale. Both companies have built their businesses around channel partners rather than direct sales, creating strong alignment in their routes to market.

According to Mazzanti, investing further in the international partner ecosystem will be one of the first priorities after the transaction closes. At the same time, Playipp plans to leverage the strengths of both product portfolios to develop what he describes as a “superior unified offering.”

The enlarged organisation will also be able to accelerate investments in artificial intelligence, software development, and international support capabilities.

As software markets mature, scale increasingly matters. Larger installed bases provide greater recurring revenues, higher R&D capacity, and improved opportunities to develop AI-driven functionality. Digital signage is no exception.

“The market is entering a new phase where scale and innovation go hand in hand,” says Mazzanti. “Together we can invest more aggressively and deliver greater value to our partners and customers.”

The acquisitions are unlikely to stop here.

“We’re planning more. Playipp wants to become a leading force in the consolidation of the European digital signage industry.”

The post M&A: Playipp Acquires PADS4 Developer NDS first appeared on invidis.

Viooh has partnered with Starlite Media to make more than 800 digital OoH screens at US retail destinations available through its programmatic platform.

The screens are located across more than 70 designated market areas and generate 650 million monthly impressions.

Starlite Media operates large-format digital displays at community shopping centers. Its inventory is positioned near grocery stores and other retailers, including at entrances, along walkways and on exterior walls.

The partnership gives advertisers using Viooh’s supply-side platform access to Starlite’s inventory and the ability to select locations, campaign dates and spending levels programmatically.

“By making Starlite Media’s large-format inventory available programmatically, we’re giving buyers greater flexibility to connect with valuable retail audiences throughout their shopping journeys and drive greater campaign impact,” said Gavin Wilson, Global Chief Commercial Officer at Viooh.

The post Programmatic DooH: Viooh Adds 800 Starlite Media Screens Across US Retail Locations first appeared on invidis.

Aldi Süd has acquired a minority stake in Philippine discount retailer Dali. The companies did not disclose the size of the stake or other financial terms.

The shared letters are not the only parallel. Dali’s business model closely mirrors the German discounter’s own concept.

Dali offers a streamlined range of private-label and household products at low prices, sold through small, low-overhead neighborhood stores. Founded in early 2020, the chain now operates more than 1,300 stores, serving nearly one million customers a day.

Aldi Süd expands into Asia

For Aldi Süd, the deal marks one of its first steps into Asia. The company currently operates 90 stores in China, its only presence in the region, out of more than 7,500 locations worldwide across 11 countries.

Marcus Almeling, Aldi Süd’s chief financial officer, described the investment to Insider PH as long-term and pointed to rising demand for affordable groceries in the Philippines. “Dali has built an impressive hard-discount retail business in a short period of time,” he said.

Dali says its stores, store ecosystem and network of local farmers and food producers have created more than 10,000 jobs. The investment is also meant to support Dali’s expansion into smaller towns and provinces across the Philippines.

The post Asia Expansion: Aldi Buys Into Dali first appeared on invidis.

Ibase Technology has introduced the PI900, a compact Pico-ITX motherboard designed for edge AI, smart retail, kiosks and other embedded applications.

Measuring 100 by 72 millimeters (approximately 3.9 by 2.8 inches), the board is intended for equipment where installation space is limited. It is available with either an Intel Core Ultra 5 125U or Core Ultra 7 155U processor.

The processors combine CPU, GPU and neural processing unit capabilities, allowing AI workloads to be handled locally rather than relying entirely on cloud processing. Depending on the processor, the PI900 provides up to 12 cores and 14 threads.

The board supports up to 48 GB of DDR5-5600 memory, giving it additional capacity for data-intensive edge applications.

Three display interfaces

For displays, the PI900 supports HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4a through USB-C, and LVDS. The connectivity makes the board suitable for use in compact kiosks, retail systems, and other equipment incorporating digital displays.

Expansion options include an M.2 M-Key socket for NVMe or SATA storage and an M.2 E-Key socket for optional Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. The board also provides 2.5 GbE LAN, multiple USB connections, a configurable RS-232/422/485 serial port, and digital input/output.

It includes a discrete Trusted Platform Module, hardware monitoring, and a 256-level watchdog timer for security and system reliability. The PI900 operates from a 12-volt DC input.

Taiwan-based ibase manufactures industrial computing products including embedded systems, edge AI computers, panel PCs, digital signage players and network appliances.

The post For Smart Retail: Ibase Introduces Compact Motherboard For Edge AI first appeared on invidis.

Cloud communications provider Global Relay has placed media production at the heart of its new headquarters in New York City.

Designed with acoustic and AV consulting firm WSDG, the five-floor office includes broadcast and podcast studios, a control room and an auditorium for presentations and live events. A distributed AV system also connects conference rooms and huddle spaces throughout the building.

Global Relay provides recordkeeping, surveillance and archiving services to financial companies and other regulated industries. Its in-house team produces videos, podcasts and streamed presentations that explain the company’s technology and provide clients with industry information.

Production with a smaller crew

WSDG designed the AV systems and supervised their implementation, working with architect Switzer Group, construction company JRM and integrator Diversified.

The production studio includes robotic cameras, camera cranes and studio lighting. Equipment can be operated remotely from the adjoining control room, allowing Global Relay to produce content with either a full team or a much smaller crew.

The control room can manage live broadcasts while recording material for later editing. It is also connected to the auditorium, bringing in-person presentations, streaming and post-production into the same workflow.

A 20-by-6-foot (6.1-by-1.8-meter) LED screen serves as the auditorium’s main display. WSDG also conducted the electroacoustic analysis and specified the AV and automated video equipment.

“This enables us to have a real-time conversation between 200 people in the room and anyone tuning in via streaming, while also being able to capture and post later,” he continues. “Everything is integrated into the same process, which has allowed us to streamline what we do,” said Coale Henderson, production leader at Global Relay’s New York office.

Meeting and huddle rooms are equipped with cameras, displays, telephones and videoconferencing technology, extending the AV system across the headquarters.

The post Corporate AV: Global Relay Builds Broadcast Studios Into New York Headquarters first appeared on invidis.

Boston Logan International Airport, which handled 43.2 million passengers in 2025, has introduced a life-size AI concierge designed to help travelers navigate the airport and ease their stress before a flight.

Named Amelia, the hyper-realistic avatar provides conversational assistance and step-by-step directions to gates, restaurants, shops, lounges and baggage claim. The Massachusetts Port Authority developed the pilot in partnership with Proto Hologram and Holomedia AI.

The companies describe Boston Logan as the largest airport to introduce the service.

Directions and live airport information

Amelia combines Holomedia AI’s conversational technology with Proto’s human-scale display platform. Passengers can ask the avatar questions and receive directions accompanied by live mapping. The system also provides real-time Transportation Security Administration wait times, helping travelers plan how they spend their time in the terminal.

The concierge can communicate in as many as 40 languages, with English, Spanish and French included in the Boston pilot. It can also connect passengers with a live customer service representative when additional help is required.

Accessibility features include high-contrast displays, closed captioning, wheelchair-accessible positioning and mapping designed to comply with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.

The self-contained unit incorporates a touchscreen and does not require external hardware. In addition to assisting passengers around the clock, Amelia is intended to supplement airport staff during busy periods and allow employees to concentrate on more complex customer service needs.

“It takes bold vision to implement emerging technologies like holograms and AI avatars, innovations that still feel like science fiction to most people,” said David Nussbaum, founder of Proto Hologram. “Massport understands that the technology is ready now, and that it can create a smoother and more pleasant experience at Boston Logan while also supporting the human staff.”

The post AI Wayfinding: Logan Airport Pilots Life-Size AI Concierge For Passenger Wayfinding first appeared on invidis.

US out-of-home advertising revenue rose 10.7 percent year over year to US$3.16 billion in the second quarter of 2026, according to the Out of Home Advertising Association of America (OAAA). It was the first time the market generated more than $3 billion in a single quarter.

The strong performance lifted revenue growth for the first half of 2026 to 9.2 percent. Seventy-three percent of the 100 largest OoH advertisers increased their spending compared with the same quarter last year.

Technology spending surges

Technology and AI companies were among the biggest contributors to the quarter. Spending from the computers, software and internet category jumped 149.8 percent year over year, while technology and direct-to-consumer companies represented 30 percent of the top 100 OoH advertisers.

Apple, T-Mobile, Verizon, Genspark, Uber, OpenAI, Amazon and Doordash were among the technology-oriented brands appearing in the top 25. Genspark and OpenAI were also included in a group of advertisers that more than doubled their OoH spending during the quarter.

Financial advertising increased 22.7%, followed by media and advertising at 12.6% and local services and amusements at 10.5%. Johnson & Johnson more than doubled its investment and ranked seventh among all OoH advertisers.

Personal injury law firm Morgan & Morgan remained the largest advertiser, ahead of Coca-Cola, Apple, T-Mobile and McDonald’s. Verizon, Johnson & Johnson, Progressive, Universal Pictures and Dunkin’ completed the top 10.

Major events provided another boost. Fifa spent over $3 million on OoH advertising around the World Cup, while Live Nation increased its spending by 10% to more than $2.3 million.

The post US Advertising Market: OoH Revenue Tops US$3 Billion For The First Time first appeared on invidis.