Tour: Quick Intro
All important elements and terms of the touchscreen app platform are clearly explained here.
AppStore
Online marketplace for touchscreen apps. After the free registration users have access to the AppStore’s backend and cloud management services.
AppCloud
Registered users on eyefactive’s app platform can access the cloud management features via AppStore online backend / AppSuite software backend. Projects and systems as well as files stored in the cloud space can be managed in AppStore and AppSuite’s backend.
Apps
Apps for large-scale touchscreens, supporting multi-touch and multi-user can be downloaded from the app store. Apps are tagged with one or more categories, such as “multimedia”, “office” or “game”.
Widgets
Widgets are like “mini apps”, mainly displaying one media file (image, video, pdf, …) or a set of media files. The latter we call “container widgets”. Since widgets only have a limited set of features – in the simplest form just a single image – they are generally shown in a separate window, whereas apps are usually shown in fullscreen mode.
Media / Content
Many apps and widgets can be customized with media content, such as images, videos, pdfs, 3D models, audio files etc.
Mods
The term “mod” is derived from “modification”: unlike B2C apps for smartphones and tablets, apps and widgets from eyefactive’s app platform can be customized by changing configurations or furthermore integrating media content. Mods of apps and widgets can be opened in windows or in fullscreen mode.
Projects
App mods may be combined, so that admin users can create projects. A typical project of multiple apps/mods could be a menu (Mod of App 1) from which a user can start a game on fullscreen (Mod of App 2) or open a video in a smaller window (Mod of Widget 1).
AppSuite
The AppSuite is a native Windows software and acts as a mini-OS and content management software (CMS) for your touchscreen hardware. It is installed on the Windows PC / mediaplayer. From within AppSuite, users can create mods and projects of apps and widgets, download new apps and updates, and manage their systems and projects remotely via cloud management services.
Apps (or better: projects) are always executed via AppSuite. For the creation of mods and projects a touchscreen is not required. AppSuite can also simply be operated on any Windows PC or laptop via mouse / keyboard.
Touchscreens / Systems
A touchscreen system consists of a touchscreen in combination with a PC, also sometimes referred to as mediaplayer. Touch data is transmitted via USB, the visualization these days via HDMI. While the touchscreen itself is both an input (touch) and output (display) device, the PC or mediaplayer is running the AppSuite CMS.
Touchscreens can be single screens or compound systems. Here the touchscreen is integrated into different types of housings or furnitures such as tables, terminals, steles or combined video walls.
Technologies
Large-scale touchscreens facilitate new technologies and user interactions:
AppSDK
All apps including AppSuite are built with eyefactive’s very own software development framework (SDK), which enables unlimited multi-touch, multi-user and object recognition technology.
Software as a Service (SAAS)
Starting in 2020, the licencing model for apps changes to a subscription plan model (SAAS = software as a service). Customers can acquire different types of subscription plans. Each system (= PC / mediaplayer) can have an individual subscription plan.
Freemium Model
All apps as well as AppSuite and most cloud features can be tested for free (free subscription plan). Without a fee-based licence on a system the only visible limitation is that projects/mods will have watermarks and popups in “live mode”. Simply register, download AppSuite for free and start testing apps and creating mods and projects.
OnBoarding
When starting AppSuite CMS for the first time, users get access to the so-called “onboarding” process. This is a step by step tutorial to help users get “on board” as quickly and easily as possible. The onboarding process explains for instance how to download new apps, create mods and projects, and much more.
Demo Projects / Templates
For a quick introduction you can have a look at the composition of our so-called "demo projects". Some of these templates are already included in AppSuite. Further demo projects can be downloaded and tested for free directly in AppSuite via the AppStore.
Free Download
Download the AppSuite touchscreen content management software (CMS) now and test all apps and functions without obligation and free of charge.
