Commissioned by Avantgarde Middle East, Engage Production Ltd built a ‘virtual changing room’, or Virtual Style Pod, showcased at luxury retail destination The Galleria, on Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi.

A new retail experience, the Virtual Style Pod enables visitors to click through a range of clothing – with the world’s first “accurate cloth simulation” – and accessories while a 3D virtual styling expert assists with fit and colour.

Built by Engage Production (with Space3D supplying its Fashion3D application under licence as the core software) and Avantgarde Middle East (responsible for concept creation, project management, and hosting), the Virtual Style Pod brings together the virtual and physical worlds. Utilising a life-size screen mirror, augmented reality software overlays the user’s image with realistic 3D renders of clothing. It enables users to quickly create outfits by mixing and matching a wide range of garments from the host’s inventory.

Kiosk suppliers Cammax Limited (providers of bespoke touch screen kiosk solutions, interactive digital signage, touch screen monitors and more) bring you a free kiosk deployment guide.

You download the “bite-size” guide as a PDF, giving you an insight into the key aspects of executing a successful kiosk deployment.

This eBook is written with useful tips and helpful advice, aiming to simplify the set-up process and provide essential information for anyone thinking of extending their business offering.

With the exponential growth in consumer needs and expectations over recent years, self-serve applications are proving to be a worthwhile investment for any business looking to thrive. Consumers are now looking for faster, more convenient, service without having to compromise on the customer experience.

For their corporate offices , Hawaiian Airlines recently installed 90 ArmorActive iPad Mini enclosures with Power over Ethernet (PoE) and with the EventBoard Pro conference room scheduling software.

"With our previous system, we didn't have an easy way to schedule ad-hoc meetings, and as a company, it was difficult for us to know the actual usage of our conference rooms," says Ron Anderson-Lehman, senior VP/CIO for Hawaiian Airlines. "The new version of EventBoard Pro allows us to do a better job of using space efficiently and effectively."

The selection of conference room scheduling apps is expanding, making a mobile based solution more accessible than ever. According to Salt Lake City-based ArmorActive, the EventBoard Pro platform, for example, is compatible with most major email calendar systems online, provides a simple user interface and does not require an IT department to install. The ease of installation and use saves significant costs on all fronts, the company said. Companies can even customize the appearance of this software to complement company branding or the aesthetic of their office.

Staples, the world’s largest office products company, launches its first omnichannel stores which combine the power of their expansive retail network with the digital capabilities of the world’s second largest internet retailer (Staples.com ).

The stores feature several new Staples.com kiosks where customers can select from more than 100,000 items, including the latest tech products, furniture, school supplies, and cleaning and breakroom items. And, Staples.com offers free, next business day delivery to more than 98 percent of North America. When they’re done shopping, customers can either complete their transactions at the kiosk or the store register.

The omnichannel stores also feature consultation areas for small business customers who need help from Staples EasyTech and Copy and Print associates.

“We listened to our customers and provided the products, services and features they need to succeed,” said Demos Parneros, President North America Stores and Online. “Our stores make efficient use of space while offering more products and services than ever through our mobile and online features. We also know that shopping is an occasion and we’ve created a fun experience for our customers. We’re very proud of our omnichannel stores and this is just the beginning as we’ll continue to evolve our network.”

The omnichannel stores enable Staples to test and launch products and capabilities as the company brings the latest features to its retail network. Additional features of the new stores include:

·         The Business Lounge, includes meeting space and work stations for mobile professionals and lets customers research and order from Staples’ expanded selection of products

·         Staples.com and omnichannel touch screen stations, which provide an “endless aisle” experience with Staples’ expanded assortment online

Go Staples with New Store Format

At the European Sign Expo 2013, IT-pioneer Pyramid Computer GmbH brought out its polytouch business unit’s Classic terminals:  the polytouch 22 and polytouch 32 CLASSIC terminals, equipped with modern, light-insensitive, projected capacitive technology.

These Intel Core i7-3770S-driven units can detect 20 simultaneous touches at an ultra-fast 10 millisecond response time while rejecting palms resting on the screen. A neat trick to show off with at a show.

Not displayed at the show were the new products in the polytouch portfolio: the multi-touch point-of-sale (POS) systems – polytouch 22000 POS and 32000 POS.

These systems connect to the web to facilitate multi-channel strategies such as cross-selling, product promotion applications and social network integration. Using the patent pending Quick Mounting System (QMS), a range of polytouch extension modules can be added either side of the main display as and when a specific functionality is required. This enables retailers to keep up to date with the latest standards and processes.

The first production units of polytouch 22 CLASSIC are now available with enhanced features. The polytouch chassis has been re-engineered to eliminate all visible screws from the sides and all POS models are now equipped with a receipt printer that can operate at three times the regular print speed. polytouch units have also been developed with a built-in VeriFone PCI/EMV-approved chip and PIN payment terminal as well as integrated near field communication (NFC) payment for cashless payments.

These displays are full HD with an anti-glare coating and share a stylish design with standard pedestal, "Elegance", wall-mount or built-in mounting options to suit different application environments, including room service check-in/check-out, access control, employee self-service, tourist and city information, product promotion and interactive advertising. 

They are compatible with Windows 7 and Windows 8 as well as Linux. On the polytouch 22 CLASSIC an optional QR-code/barcode scanner and camera are available. The same applies to the polytouch 32 CLASSIC, along with an optional discrete AMD FirePro graphics card (for demanding 3D applications).

Go polytouch by Pyramid Computer

At InfoComm, Elo Touch Solutions launched its 3201L 32” and 4201L 42” interactive digital signage (“IDS”) platforms. The pro displays combine energy-efficient LED HD screens with optional Intel Core i3 or i5 computer modules running Windows. 

Elo also introduced EloView, a new SaaS suite of management software applications to ensure the performance of touch computing.

The Elo IDS portfolio delivers an interactive digital canvas in screen sizes ranging from 7” to 70”. The latest 3201L and 4201L models come with Elo’s IntelliTouch surface acoustic wave or optical touch technologies that enable up to 6 simultaneous touches for multi-user interaction.

EloView monitors the health and controls the configuration of Elo touch technologies through a cloud-based architecture. EloView proactive monitoring enables centralized visibility and control of distributed interactive digital signage from a Web browser, smart phone or tablet. Users can reduce remote dispatch of service technicians, as EloView allows a centralized operations administrator to better predict and minimize downtime, schedule times for displays to be active and ensure consistent configuration of brightness, sound and color. Customers can also capture content running on interactive digital signs for advertising proof of performance.

"EloView helps our customers monitor, analyze and repair large touch screen deployments in real-time," said Craig Witsoe, CEO of Elo Touch Solutions."We believe the EloView management software suite increases the productivity and responsiveness of technology operations teams as they deploy interactive touch experiences for the retail, healthcare, hospitality, transportation and other commercial industries."

The EloView device client available for the 3201L, 4201L and 7001L offers local application program interfaces (APIs) for content management systems to directly interact with the Elo IDS hardware. System integrators and value-added resellers can use EloView to remotely monitor key diagnostic information. Retailer IT departments can partition centralized and local access privileges to adjust volume settings or change operating times.

A software-as-a-service (SaaS) application, EloView IDS Manager will be available for download for beta use starting in September 2013. Users are required to have an Elo 3201L, 4201L, or 7001L IDS with installed computer module to deploy the EloView Device Client.

Go Elo Expands Display Portfolio, Adds Cloud Manager

by Sam Pryor, Protouch

In today's fast-paced technological world, Protouch takes a look at what lies ahead in the future of the kiosk industry...

Food and Beverage Kiosks

The high tech future of vending machines sees technology redefining the customer vending experience; with machines at its recent I/O conference, vending kiosks could soon see similar technologies being rolled out. that deliver fun and engaging vending. With Google recently showcasing a cocktail mixing robot called 'Makr Shakr' 

As vending machines become less about being a device that solely dispenses things, and more about an interface that interacts with the consumer, the future possibilities for vending kiosks are limitless.

Eye Control

Technology is constantly evolving and even though touch screen is still a relatively new concept, it may not be long before we see another one of our senses taking control. Just like the touch of a fingertip, devices will employ intelligence that can track pupil movement, allowing users to control devices through gaze interaction.  

With Samsung’s SIV already using eye control to aid the reading of webpages, watching of movies and viewing of images, we may soon see such technologies being used in kiosks too.

Contactless

With convenience at the forefront of consumers desires, contactless payment options are set to take over the conventional chip and pin system.

It's long been rumoured that Apple will release the iPhone 5s which will showcase features, such as an embedded fingerprint sensor in the home button, and a contactless function enabled by NFC. Apple isn't offering these features just yet but it's definitely still on the cards, meaning that the future of kiosks payments lies in hassle free, quick tap or finger scan payments.

OLED

Moving forwards it's likely that we'll see OLED screens replacing our LED and plasma displays. OLED screens come with a range of benefits including; being more efficient, being better for the environment, using flexible and unbreakable plastic, and offering better quality resolutions. Samsung, who are leading the way in OLED adoption, predict that by 2014 50% of all mobile phones AMOLED displays , and by 2015 it could become the main TV panel technology.

3D Printing Kiosks

Probably one of the most exciting advances set to transform the retail world is the 3D printer. Customers will not only be able to print out their own toys, clothes, spare parts, and so on, but will also be able to design and digitally print their own items. Said to be the natural progression from photo printing kiosks, 3D printing could revolutionise the way we view stores and what we get from them. Reports also suggest that by 2050 we'll see 3D printers moving from the high street into our living rooms.

With intelligent technologies, such as the ones mentioned, there's huge opportunity in the future of kiosks to add value for both brands and consumers.

Sam Pryor has been in active in the kiosk industry for more than eight years, working in Technical Sales for Protouch, a leading supplier of touch screen equipment in Europe.

Go ProTouch

LifeSize Touch says its KioScreen is the only touchscreen product on the market that works through glass using a zero bezel touchscreen panel.

The touch layer is safely housed in a robust panel enclosure, making it easy to move or install without damage (and without needing adhesive touchfilms).

LifeSize Touch will also be providing a complete bundled solution for businesses.

There is the option to buy complementary accessories and a monthly rental of kiosk software, KioApp for updating touchscreen content.  

KioApp is available for Property, Retail and Hospitality.

KioScreen will initially be available in three variations and prices:

• 15” KioScreen standard brightness
• 15” KioScreen high brightness version for shop windows
• 19” KioScreen for interactive surfaces, e.g. counters, tabletops, etc

Go  KioScreen

Go You’ll Like Their KioScreen vs iPad Comparison