Does Google Chromecast have a future in digital signage?

Google has recently opened up it's Chromecast streaming media player to third party developers via a new SDK and this could have a big impact in our industry.  Up until now, most of the big global software and hardware providers have stayed out of our sandbox (with the exception of Intel).  However, this move by Google could have significant implications for the digital signage and OOH sectors.

Most digital signage solutions have been moving towards low-cost playback devices.  We have seen Android and now Raspberry Pi devices that are priced around $100.  At $35, Google's Chromecast media player undercuts all existing solutions by a wide margin.  Now that any software developer can build and adapt their apps for this platform, how long before we start to see digital signage solutions that run on Chromecast?  After all, we already have apps that run on Samsung's Smart TVs.

If you are a software provider in the digital signage space, you should seriously consider supporting these hardware platforms.

Many have speculated about when we would see a major player like Apple or Google enter the digital signage space.  These companies may not have a direct interest in this market but the introduction of the Chromecast proves they can still have a big impact.  Digital signage may not be on their radar but their products will invariably end up in our space and they have the potential to be very disruptive.

Who knows what's coming next?  Next year's DSE may offer seminars on "Pushing targeted ads to the Apple iWatch".

Stay tuned!