A Chromebox, or another ChromeOS device, can run the easyCMS player as a kiosk app. It opens full screen when the device starts, plays your content, and you change what it shows from your phone. You pay us once per screen, not every month.
It suits companies that already manage ChromeOS devices in a Google Admin console. If you don’t, read the honest answer further down first.
Choose ChromeOS and Studio walks you through it, then connects the device to your account.
What you need
Google controls what a ChromeOS device may run unattended. To run any signage app, you need three things:
| You need | Where it comes from |
|---|---|
| A Chromebox or other ChromeOS device on the screen’s HDMI input | Your hardware supplier |
| Google’s Kiosk & Signage Upgrade for each device | A Google reseller, about 25€ a year per device. That is Google’s fee, not ours |
| A Google Admin console to manage the device | Google, with the upgrade |
Without the upgrade and the Admin console, the device can’t run as a signage player at all. That is Google’s rule, and it applies to every signage app, not only ours.
Used Chrome Sign Builder before? Google has discontinued it, so a kiosk app from a signage CMS is now the usual route.
From the box to playing content in five steps
Allow about fifteen minutes per device, plus the time to reach your Admin console.
- Enrol it as a kiosk. On a new or reset device, at the first sign-in screen, press Ctrl + Alt + E, sign in with an Admin console account and enrol it as a kiosk & signage device.
- Add easyCMS as the kiosk app. In the Admin console, go to Devices → Chrome → Apps & extensions → Kiosks and choose the device’s organisational unit. Press +, choose Add by URL and type
https://app.myeasycms.com/pwa. - Set it to auto-launch. At the top of the same page, set Auto-launch app to the app you just added, save, and restart the device.
- Connect it. The player opens on Configure Manually. Type a Display Name, for example Reception screen, and your CMS Key from your welcome email. The CMS address is filled in already. Press Connect. Don’t use Use Activation Code: that is for a different service.
- Claim it. On a phone on the same network, open Add a screen in Studio (or Add a display), choose ChromeOS, name the screen and connect it.
The player says it is awaiting authorisation until step 5. That is normal. Within a few minutes it shows the default easyCMS layout, and it’s ready for your content.
Run your ChromeOS screens from your phone
Once connected, you run the screen from easyCMS Studio at app.myeasycms.com/studio, on your phone or a computer. Nothing to install.
Pick a design
More than 200 templates for menus, offers, notices and welcome screens. Change the words, tap Play on… and choose the screen.
Decide when it plays
Always, between two dates, or on chosen days, such as a staff notice every Monday morning.
Photos and videos
Upload from your phone’s camera roll, put them in order, and play the playlist on as many screens as you like.
Check it played
See which screens are online, and Analytics lists what each screen showed and when. More in proof of play.
The same Studio runs Android, Windows, Samsung and LG screens, so a mix of players is no extra work.
When ChromeOS is the right choice, and when it isn’t
| Choose ChromeOS when | Choose something else when |
|---|---|
| Your IT team already manages ChromeOS devices in an Admin console | You have no Admin console: an Android box is simpler and cheaper |
| You want devices locked down and updated by Google’s own tools | You don’t want a yearly fee per device: our licence is once, Google’s upgrade is not |
| You already own Chromeboxes and want to reuse them | You are buying new screens anyway: a Samsung or LG signage screen has the player built in |
The honest answer: if you don’t already run a Google Admin console, don’t start one just for signage. Our Android player arrives ready to play, or you can install the player on your own Android box by typing one address. Tizen vs webOS vs Android player compares the options.
What it costs
You pay us once per screen, with no monthly fee on the easyCMS and PRO accounts. A ChromeOS screen takes our licence for ChromeOS, 129€ once, or 99€ in the same order as the account. It includes the commercial ChromeOS player licence, which we apply for you: there is no code to type.
- The easyCMS account is 49€ once and runs up to five screens. The licence it includes covers a Windows or Android screen, not a ChromeOS one.
- Above five screens, the PRO account is 299€ once, with room for 25.
- Google’s Kiosk & Signage Upgrade, about 25€ a year per device, is on top and paid to Google’s reseller.
All our prices are on the pricing page.
Questions people ask
Can I run it on a Chromebook without the Kiosk & Signage Upgrade?
No. Google only lets a ChromeOS device run a signage app unattended with the upgrade and an Admin console. Without them, use an Android box instead.
Does the account’s included licence cover a ChromeOS screen?
No. It covers one Windows or Android screen. A ChromeOS screen needs the licence for ChromeOS.
Do I have to enter a player licence code?
No. The ChromeOS player licence is included in the 129€ licence and we apply it automatically when the device connects.
Can I mix ChromeOS with other screens?
Yes. Android, Windows, Samsung and LG screens connect to the same account and sit side by side in Studio. A design plays on any of them.
Stuck on enrolment or an error? Send us a support request with the device model and a photo of the screen, or book an expert hour at 25€ and we’ll set it up with you.
Related reading: Other players, Meet easyCMS Studio, Tizen vs webOS vs Android player, Install the Android player.