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 they are 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.
BETA Firmware systems
On initial Boot, you will see the Allonis Logo, followed by an "explosion" of color. Then, you will see a "circle". The software image is expanding the SmartScreen's memory at this point and it takes about four minutes.
Once booted you will be at the Android Desktop. Wait and the SmartScreen app will launch.
You will see the SmartScreen.apk launching.
You will be asked if you want to add a launch shortcut to the Home page. We recommend you say Yes.
Once finished loading, click the "CONFIGURE WIFI" button.
Turn Wifi On (top right)
In a few seconds, you will see your available Wifi Access Points that are within RF range.
Select the appropriate access point. Only connect the SmartScreen to the one Wifi Access Point that connects to myServer. If you add a second wifi network, then the device might get on the wrong network and you'll wonder why the SmartScreen isn't able to control anything.
Once the password is entered, scroll down a bit and click on Advanced Options.
Recommended is to deselect DHCP and select Static addressing. This will allow the SmartRemote to connect to the network fast.
Type your correct IP address for the device. Ensure the IP address is not already in use, and if you set Static, then ensure the IP address is not in the DHCP range for the Router. You can click on the webpage to temporarily remove the on screen keyboard that may be covering the field you need to click on or see.
Type your Gateway IP address. Typically this is your Router's IP address on the LAN. (not WAN).
Type your DNS server 1 and 2 addresses. This can be provided by your Internet service provider. You can also use the default Google's DNS servers which are: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
Once all of your info is entered, the Connect button will be clickable. Click it.
Your SmartRemote should soon be on the network!
You can click the Back hard button to get back to the SmartRemote.apk
Click to relaunch the SmartRemote app.
If you are online, you should see the screen to enter your network information for myServer.
Most of the time, it's easiest to just click the "Discover" button on the bottom right. If your myServer 6 controller is online, then the SmartRemote software should find it, and auto configure itself.
To Manually configure, type on the myServer IP Address box. The on screen keyboard will appear. Type myServer 6's IP address.
Next, click on the Project Name box. "smartremote" is the correct default folder name (the folder on myServer's webserver) (type with no quotes).
Click on the Clientname field. You can name your remote what you want. For our purposes, we will call it "SmartRemote8".
Click the Save and Launch button.
The SmartRemote.apk (the "app") will launch, check that it's on Wifi, connect to myServer 6, and load the user interface smartremote template home page that you defined.
From a PC browser, go to myServer 6's Dashboard. 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 SmartRemote.apk if updates are available. The apk updates are distributed in myServer 6 updates.
You can also test launching the smartremote.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.