Allonis's new SmartScreens are inexpensive, yet high performance Android On Wall tablets. They are perfect for using either the Phone Template (for portrait screens) or the Tablet Templates (for landscape screens).
They are very easy to install and configure. The included mount is perfect for Europe or US standard single gang back boxes. They can be powered via POE ethernet (recommended if you have that cable in the wall), or 12 volt DC and you can use ethernet or Wifi.
Because you can use Wifi and 12 volt DC, they are perfect to add to your RV or Trailer or Truck / Auto. Boats are also a possibility, but note the screen is not sealed against moisture.
Initial Boot and Software Installation
As the SmartScreen relies on connecting to myServer 6 automation controller to perform all tasks, setup myServer 6 controller first. Record the myServer 6 IP address and ensure the SmartScreen template is installed for the screen orientation you want to use. Then continue below to setup the SmartScreen on the myServer 6 network:
Unbox your new SmartScreen.
Electrically connect to POE or ethernet cable and / or 12 volt DC power supply (not included).
You will see the Android logo followed by the Android Desktop. Click on Settings and configure your network (either Wifi or Ethernet (recommended)).
Go to Settings About...click that About seven times. You will now have enabled Developer Mode. Go to the Developer mode and ensure USB debugging is enabled. This opens port 5555 for ADB control commands to be accepted.
In myServer's AndroidTV driver, add the SmartScreen as a new device.
Restart myServer
Install the Allonis Digital Signage app from the AndroidTV driver commands.
Set the Density for the SmartScreen to 130
Restart the SmartScreen. You will find the Digital Signage app icon. Launch it.
Once the app is launched, configure the myServer IP address.
Configure for the "SmartScreen" folder
Name your SmartScreen to a unique name on the network (maybe...SmartScreen2)
Restart the Digital Signage app. You should now be looking at the configured web template.
From a PC browser, go to myServer 6's Dashboard. Add the AndroidTV driver from Software Updater.
Click on Management / Drivers / AndroidTV's configure button.
Click the Discover button. Soon, the powered on and networked SmartRemote will be added automatically. You should see it's power state in the Power Testing area. Here you can update the DigitalSignage.apk if updates are available. The apk updates are distributed in myServer 6 updates.
You can also test launching the digitalsignage.apk and shutting it down from within myServer's Driver dashboard.
The reset of the configuration is done in myServer 6's templates and macros, automation rules, etc.
Wall Installation Example
We had an old Galaxy Tablet in a surface mount. It was getting a bit slow so we wanted to upgrade to the Allonis SmartScreen 10.
Here is how we did it.
Picture of the old Galaxy
Tools Used
Tablet Removed
Ready to Install New Mount
Put "New Work" electrical box against wall in the center location you want the screen, and mark where to cut the hole
Make your cuts with a Drywall Saw
Install your new wire (we will be using 12 Volts from a wall power supply on the opposite wall. Best is to use a POE ethernet cable to both power and supply data).
Install the "New Work" box into the hole. Tighten the wing screws to draw it tightly to the drywall and hold it in place.
Install the two screws to hold the Mount to the New Work box. Note: we drilled two new holes to position it Landscape. Future mounts will include these drilled holed.
Plug in the power wire.
Insert the top wings into the slots in the back of the touchscreen, swing it down so the bottom tabs grab the outside of the screen and secure with the two tiny phillips head screws to affix it to the mount.
Plug in the power and let it boot.
Once booted, we configured the Wifi Network (since no ethernet cable was available).
Total installation time: 30 minutes for our example and circumstance.