Question 1

What is TelemetryOS?

Accepted Answer

TelemetryOS is a vertically integrated platform for screen networks that combines purpose-built Node Series hardware with a managed cloud platform. It transforms screens from passive displays into active components of your product experience that respond to data, users, and business events in real time.

Question 2

How do I get started with TelemetryOS?

Accepted Answer

Getting started with TelemetryOS is straightforward. Create your account, order Node Series hardware for your displays, then connect the devices to power and network — they automatically appear in your dashboard ready for content. Our team provides complimentary setup consultation to help you plan your deployment.

Question 3

Is there a free trial available?

Accepted Answer

Yes. TelemetryOS includes a free Standard Plan for all accounts, and a normally 90-day Premium trial starts automatically when you add your first device. This lets you validate API access, CI/CD workflows, and premium-level features before deciding to upgrade.

Question 4

Do I need coding experience to use TelemetryOS?

Accepted Answer

Not at all for basic setups. We provide ready-made templates for common things like restaurant menus, dashboards, and kiosks that you can customize without code. If you want to build something more custom, basic web skills help, but our AI assistant can write a lot of the code for you.

Question 5

What's the difference between TelemetryOS and traditional digital signage?

Accepted Answer

Traditional digital signage just displays images and videos on loop, but TelemetryOS lets you build full interactive applications that run on screens. Think of it like the difference between a static poster and a tablet app. You can create dashboards that pull live data, kiosks that customers can interact with, or menus that update automatically based on inventory.

Question 6

How is pricing calculated—per screen or per account?

Accepted Answer

TelemetryOS uses a simple annual per-device licensing model. Each active device on your account at renewal is billed annually. Optional account upgrades to Premium or Enterprise unlock advanced features including API access, enhanced security, expanded storage, and priority support. See the pricing page for current rates.

Question 7

What payment methods do you accept?

Accepted Answer

TelemetryOS securely processes all payments through Stripe. We support credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, and more), ACH transfers, and wire payments for eligible accounts. Enterprise customers can also set up custom billing arrangements if needed.

Question 8

Are there setup fees or hidden costs?

Accepted Answer

No. TelemetryOS pricing is transparent — there are no onboarding fees, hidden service charges, or per-feature unlock costs. The only charges are for active devices and optional account-level upgrades (Premium or Enterprise).

Question 9

When am I charged for devices?

Accepted Answer

You are charged annually for every active device on your account at the time of your billing renewal date. If you have devices you are no longer using, delete them from your account before your renewal date to avoid being charged. See the pricing page for current rates.

Question 10

Can I cancel or downgrade my plan?

Accepted Answer

You can downgrade when your current plan renews, and you'll keep access to the higher-tier features until your term ends. We bill annually with a one-year minimum commitment, and payments aren't refundable once processed. This helps us keep costs low for everyone.

Question 11

How do I add team members to my account?

Accepted Answer

You can invite as many team members as you want at no extra cost. Just go to your account settings and send invitations with their email addresses. You can give them different permission levels like full admin access, content editing only, or just viewing rights to see reports and monitor devices.

Question 12

Can I organize devices into groups?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely, and it makes managing multiple screens much easier. You can group devices by location, like 'Downtown Store' or 'Main Office', or by what they display, like 'Menu Boards' or 'Dashboards'. This lets you update all the screens in a group at once instead of one by one.

Question 13

What user roles and permissions are available?

Accepted Answer

TelemetryOS uses group-based permissions. You organize users into groups and assign granular permissions at the group level — controlling who can manage devices, deploy content, edit applications, and access specific parts of the platform. This allows flexible access control for teams of any size without rigid role hierarchies.

Question 14

How do I reset my password or enable two-factor authentication?

Accepted Answer

Just head to your account settings for password resets or to turn on extra security. We support all the standard options like authenticator apps and text message codes, plus newer PassKey technology that works with your phone or computer's built-in security features.

Question 15

How reliable are Node devices for 24/7 operation?

Accepted Answer

Node Series devices are designed for continuous 24/7 operation with fanless passive cooling, secure boot, and automatic power-loss recovery. Content caches locally so displays continue working during network outages. Every Node device includes remote monitoring capabilities and a 1-year hardware warranty.

Question 16

How difficult is Node device setup?

Accepted Answer

Node devices are plug-and-play. Connect to power and network (Ethernet or Wi-Fi), and the device automatically appears in your TelemetryOS dashboard ready for content. No manual OS setup or configuration required.

Question 17

How do I monitor multiple devices across locations?

Accepted Answer

TelemetryOS makes managing multiple devices across locations incredibly straightforward with real-time health dashboards, live screenshots, and intelligent device grouping by location or purpose. You can set custom alert thresholds for proactive monitoring and view your entire fleet on an interactive map that shows geographic distribution and status at a glance. Premium and Enterprise plans include advanced fleet analytics and automatic OS updates with rollback protection, ensuring your entire network stays healthy and up-to-date without manual intervention.

Question 18

What network requirements do Node devices have?

Accepted Answer

Node devices work with both wired Ethernet and Wi-Fi connections. Regular broadband is sufficient — devices automatically optimize content downloads to work well even on slower connections.

Question 19

What warranty coverage do Node devices include?

Accepted Answer

Every Node device comes with a 1-year hardware warranty included with purchase. Premium and Enterprise plan subscribers receive an extended warranty for the duration of their continuous subscription, up to a maximum of five years from device activation. Important: the extended warranty requires an uninterrupted Premium or Enterprise subscription — if your plan lapses or is downgraded, the extended warranty ends permanently and will not reinstate on those devices if you re-subscribe later.

Question 20

What can I build with the TelemetryOS app development platform?

Accepted Answer

The TelemetryOS platform transforms your screens into powerful application endpoints where you can build everything from interactive kiosks and touch applications to real-time dashboards that connect directly to your business data. Using familiar web technologies like HTML5, CSS, JavaScript, and React.js, you can create digital signage with dynamic content, integrate IoT sensors for automation, or develop custom business applications that respond to your specific needs. Whether you're building video walls, emergency alerting systems, or entirely custom experiences, TelemetryOS provides the foundation to turn any screen into an intelligent part of your operation.

Question 21

What development tools are included?

Accepted Answer

TelemetryOS includes everything you need to develop and deploy applications with a built-in code editor featuring syntax highlighting, integrated Git repository with version control, and automated CI/CD pipeline that pushes your changes directly to screens. Premium plans add sandbox preview environments for testing changes before deployment, application rollback capabilities for quick recovery, and custom SDK access for advanced integrations. GitHub integration enables sophisticated development workflows that scale with your team's existing processes and development practices.

Question 22

How do I update content across multiple screens?

Accepted Answer

Content is managed through playlists in TelemetryOS Studio. Create playlists with images, videos, web pages, and applications, then assign them to devices or device groups. Changes to playlists and playlist pages publish to assigned screens automatically. You can schedule content by time and date, push emergency overrides instantly, or target specific groups of screens.

Question 23

What happens if my internet connection goes down?

Accepted Answer

Node devices store content locally, so your screens keep showing the last version of your content even when the internet goes out. Once the connection comes back, everything automatically syncs with the latest updates without manual intervention.

Question 24

Does TelemetryOS provide API access?

Accepted Answer

TelemetryOS provides comprehensive REST API access on Premium and Enterprise plans, enabling you to deploy and manage applications programmatically, push real-time data to displays, and monitor device status and health across your entire fleet. The API integrates with your existing business systems for content scheduling automation, event-driven display triggers, and custom integrations. Complete API documentation with examples is available at docs.telemetryos.com.

Question 25

What third-party systems can I integrate with?

Accepted Answer

TelemetryOS connects to virtually any system through multiple integration methods including REST API for custom connections, MQTT messaging for IoT devices, and serial port communication for specialized hardware like barcode scanners or RFID readers. The platform supports camera input, motion detection, and sensor integration to create responsive environments that react to real-world events. Premium plans add webhook notifications and edge container support, while the built-in real-time key-value store ensures data stays synchronized across all your connected devices and services.

Question 26

Can I display live data from external systems?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely, and this is where TelemetryOS really shines. Your screens can pull in real-time data from weather services, your business systems, inventory databases, social media feeds, or any other web service. The data updates automatically so your screens always show current information without you having to manually change anything.

Question 27

What analytics and reporting features are available?

Accepted Answer

TelemetryOS delivers comprehensive analytics including proof of play reporting for compliance requirements, detailed device status and uptime reports, and bandwidth usage monitoring to optimize your network performance. All plans include alert notifications for immediate issue awareness, while Premium plans add interactive analytics dashboards, application usage metrics, and API-driven reporting for deeper insights. Enterprise customers gain access to AI anomaly detection and machine learning-powered predictive maintenance that identifies potential issues before they impact your operations.

Question 28

What support options are available?

Accepted Answer

TelemetryOS provides comprehensive support that scales with your needs, starting with 24/7 AI chat support, extensive online documentation, and community forums available to all users. Premium customers receive live chat support during business hours with priority response times, ensuring faster resolution when you need human assistance. Enterprise plans include dedicated customer success managers, custom SLA agreements, and on-site deployment assistance for complex rollouts, giving you personalized support that grows with your organization.

Question 29

Can you troubleshoot devices remotely?

Accepted Answer

Most TelemetryOS troubleshooting happens remotely through our cloud platform, where our support team can monitor device health in real-time, push software updates, restart applications, and access detailed system logs and diagnostics. This remote capability means we can resolve issues, update content, and even reboot devices without requiring expensive on-site visits, significantly reducing both downtime and operational costs. The comprehensive remote management tools ensure your screens stay running smoothly while minimizing disruption to your daily operations.

Question 30

How do I get help if I have problems?

Accepted Answer

There's an AI chat assistant built right into the platform that's available 24/7 for immediate help with common questions. If you need to talk to a human, Premium plans include escalation to real support staff during business hours. Enterprise customers get dedicated success managers who respond within one business day.

Question 31

Where can I find documentation and tutorials?

Accepted Answer

Everything is built into the TelemetryOS platform - documentation, video tutorials, API guides, and troubleshooting help. We keep it all in one place so you don't have to hunt around different websites. The guides cover everything from basic setup to advanced development techniques.

Question 32

Do you offer training or professional services?

Accepted Answer

Enterprise customers get access to our professional services team for training sessions, check-up calls, and help with complex deployments. We can provide specialized training on advanced features, help with custom development projects, or guide you through large-scale rollouts.

Question 33

What is the difference between Node Mini and Node Pro?

Accepted Answer

Node Mini is the entry-level device optimized for single-screen deployments — it drives one 4K display and runs a locked appliance environment. Node Pro is the flagship device running TelemetryOS Edge (Arch Linux), supports up to three independent 4K displays simultaneously, has 128GB storage, and unlocks advanced capabilities including Docker containers, MQTT integration, serial port communication, and full IoT connectivity. Choose Node Mini for high-volume single-screen rollouts; choose Node Pro when you need multi-screen output, kiosk peripherals, or hardware integration. See the pricing page for current rates.

Question 34

How do over-the-air (OTA) updates work?

Accepted Answer

TelemetryOS devices receive over-the-air software updates automatically through the cloud platform — no manual intervention or USB drives required. You can configure an update window to schedule updates during off-hours. If an update fails, the device automatically rolls back to the last known-good state.

Question 35

Can I use my own hardware instead of buying a Node device?

Accepted Answer

Yes. TelemetryOS supports a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) approach for specialized deployments such as custom kiosk form factors, outdoor-rated enclosures, or industrial installations. BYOD devices run TelemetryOS Edge and inherit the same fleet management, OTA updates, and SDK capabilities as Node hardware. Contact TelemetryOS directly to discuss your requirements, as compatibility depends on processor architecture, storage type, and I/O needs.

Question 36

Does TelemetryOS support touch screens and kiosks?

Accepted Answer

Yes. TelemetryOS is designed for interactive kiosk deployments. Touch controllers connect via USB and TelemetryOS applications receive touch input through the standard web touch API. The platform includes a kiosk mode that locks the display to your application, and the SDK's interactive button menu feature enables touch-based navigation. TelemetryOS Studio has a dedicated kiosk hardware selection guide.

Question 37

What peripherals does TelemetryOS support?

Accepted Answer

TelemetryOS supports a wide range of USB peripherals including barcode scanners, RFID readers, receipt printers, cameras, touchscreen controllers, and keyboards. All Node devices support serial port (RS-232) communication via USB-to-serial adapters for legacy industrial equipment and AV control systems. Bluetooth 5.0/5.1 enables connectivity with BLE beacons and sensors for proximity-based interactions.

Question 38

What screen resolutions and aspect ratios are supported?

Accepted Answer

TelemetryOS supports any resolution and aspect ratio your display hardware can output. The Developer App includes 8 built-in aspect ratio presets ranging from 5:1 ultra-wide to 1:5 portrait skyscraper, plus free drag-resize for any custom dimension. Both Node Mini and Node Pro output 4K (3840×2160) at up to 60Hz. Display orientation — landscape, portrait, or inverted — is configurable through TelemetryOS Edge display settings.

Question 39

Does TelemetryOS support video walls?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A single Node Pro can drive up to three 4K panels. For larger video walls, multiple Node Pro devices can be synchronized to create seamless multi-panel displays. The Page Layout Engine also enables multi-zone layouts that can be mapped across multiple displays in a coordinated arrangement. TelemetryOS documentation includes a dedicated video wall configuration guide.

Question 40

How do I provision hundreds of devices at once?

Accepted Answer

TelemetryOS supports bulk provisioning through provisioning tokens and USB configuration files that can enroll devices automatically on first boot — no manual pairing required. Devices can be pre-grouped by location or role during provisioning so they immediately receive the correct content assignments. For enterprise rollouts, the REST API enables fully automated provisioning workflows integrated into your existing IT processes.

Question 41

What are TelemetryOS Blocks?

Accepted Answer

TelemetryOS Blocks are pre-built application templates that let you deploy common screen experiences without writing code. They cover use cases like digital menu boards, data dashboards, wayfinding directories, and weather displays. Blocks are customizable through TelemetryOS Studio settings UI — you configure data sources, colors, and layouts through form inputs rather than code. They provide an immediate starting point and can be extended with custom code for more advanced requirements.

Question 42

Are there pre-built templates I can start from?

Accepted Answer

Yes. TelemetryOS provides an Application Templates Library with ready-made templates for common use cases including interactive kiosks, data dashboards, and customer engagement apps. The Developer App includes two starter project templates: vite-react-typescript for standard applications and vite-react-typescript-web for apps that also need a browser-accessible companion portal. Running tos init scaffolds a working project with all dependencies and an initial Git commit ready.

Question 43

What is the TelemetryOS Developer App?

Accepted Answer

The TelemetryOS Developer App is a purpose-built desktop application and CLI for creating, testing, and publishing TelemetryOS screen applications. It includes a live canvas preview with 8 aspect ratio presets, full platform simulation without physical hardware, hot module replacement, and the tos CLI for the complete application lifecycle from scaffolding to deployment. It ships with a built-in MCP server and 15 AI skills, making it the first AI-native development environment for screen applications.

Question 44

How does the GitHub CI/CD integration work?

Accepted Answer

Connect a GitHub repository to your application in TelemetryOS Studio. Every push to your designated branch automatically triggers a cloud build and deploys the result to your assigned screens — no manual deployment steps required. You get full Git workflow support including branches, pull requests, staging environments, and instant rollback to any previous version. GitLab, Bitbucket, and self-hosted Git servers are also supported via generic Git integration.

Question 45

What programming languages and frameworks does TelemetryOS support?

Accepted Answer

TelemetryOS applications are built with standard web technologies: JavaScript, TypeScript, HTML5, and CSS. React is the officially supported and recommended framework, with dedicated React hooks and a 23-component settings design system in the SDK. Since applications run in a browser-based environment, any JavaScript framework (Vue, Svelte, vanilla JS) is technically compatible. Developer App project templates use Vite, React, and TypeScript as the default stack.

Question 46

Can I develop TelemetryOS applications locally without physical hardware?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The TelemetryOS Developer App provides full platform simulation locally — you can develop and test against real SDK behavior including storage, media, weather, MQTT, and device capabilities without deploying to physical hardware. The development server starts with hot module replacement so changes appear instantly in the canvas preview. Simulation data can be edited directly and the application updates in real time.

Question 47

How does data storage work in TelemetryOS applications?

Accepted Answer

The TelemetryOS SDK provides four storage scopes. Application scope holds company-wide settings shared across all instances (e.g., brand colors). Instance scope syncs settings between the configuration UI and the display — the primary channel for per-screen configuration. Device scope stores data local to a specific physical device. Shared scope enables inter-application data exchange so one app can publish data that another app consumes in real time.

Question 48

Can TelemetryOS applications run background tasks?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The SDK supports Background Workers — JavaScript scripts that run continuously on devices even when the application is not visible in the playlist. Workers handle scheduled tasks like fetching data updates, syncing with inventory systems, or monitoring device health. They run as persistent JavaScript contexts without DOM access and survive playlist changes. Server Workers can also handle API requests and data processing at the edge.

Question 49

Can a TelemetryOS app also have a web interface accessible from a browser?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Applications can include a Web mount point (/web) that creates a browser-accessible interface separate from the on-screen display. This enables companion experiences such as a staff dashboard on a phone or tablet, a remote control interface, or a public form linked to the on-screen kiosk. The web view syncs real-time data with the render view via SDK storage subscriptions, so changes made in the browser portal immediately affect what's displayed on screen.

Question 50

How does AI-assisted development work in TelemetryOS?

Accepted Answer

The TelemetryOS Developer App ships with a built-in MCP (Model Context Protocol) server and 15 domain-specific AI skills. This enables AI coding agents like Claude Code to generate TelemetryOS applications with full awareness of the SDK, platform patterns, and best practices. Running tos claude-code applies AI skills to an existing project, and tos mcp connects your AI agent to the Developer App's simulation environment. AI agents can trigger tos publish as the final step of an autonomous development workflow.

Question 51

Can I roll back to a previous version of my application?

Accepted Answer

Yes. TelemetryOS tracks all application versions as versioned artifacts. If a new deployment has issues, you can revert to any previous version in one click from TelemetryOS Studio. Devices cache multiple versions locally for immediate fallback, so rollback is nearly instantaneous — no waiting for re-download. Premium plans include Application Rollback Capabilities as an explicit feature, with full version history tied to your Git commits.

Question 52

How does content scheduling work?

Accepted Answer

TelemetryOS Studio enables time-based scheduling for both content playlists and custom applications. You can schedule content during specific hours, days of the week, or date ranges — for example, a breakfast menu from 6am–11am and a lunch menu from 11am–3pm. Playlists support auto-advance based on content completion rather than fixed intervals. Content not scheduled to run falls back to a configurable default page so screens never go blank.

Question 53

Can I push emergency alerts to override all screens immediately?

Accepted Answer

Yes. TelemetryOS has a dedicated Overrides system for emergency alerts and priority content that immediately supersedes normal playlist flow across your entire fleet or targeted device groups. Overrides can be triggered manually from Studio or programmatically via the SDK's override methods or REST API. Once the override period ends, screens automatically resume normal scheduling without any intervention required.

Question 54

What is the TelemetryOS Page Layout Engine?

Accepted Answer

The Page Layout Engine is TelemetryOS's multi-zone layout system that divides a screen into multiple independent content zones within a single playlist page. Each zone can display different applications, media, or content simultaneously — for example, a main dashboard area, a ticker at the bottom, and a logo zone in the corner. Zones can persist across playlist page changes (Persisting Zones), so a video in one zone continues uninterrupted as other zones transition.

Question 55

What are Persisting Zones and how do they work?

Accepted Answer

Persisting Zones allow a specific zone on screen to keep playing its content uninterrupted while other zones transition to new playlist pages. This is particularly useful for keeping a video or live feed playing continuously in a main zone while a side panel cycles through different messages or data. Persisting Zones are configured in TelemetryOS Studio and require no code changes to your application.

Question 56

I'm currently using TelemetryTV. How do I migrate to TelemetryOS?

Accepted Answer

TelemetryOS is built on the proven TelemetryTV platform foundation, so migration is incremental rather than a rip-and-replace. Your existing playlists, schedules, and content management workflows carry over. The migration path is to start using TelemetryOS features alongside your existing content, gradually transitioning static content into more dynamic, data-driven applications as your needs grow. Contact support for a guided migration plan.

Question 57

What is the difference between TelemetryTV and TelemetryOS?

Accepted Answer

TelemetryTV is the established digital signage CMS platform focused on content loops, scheduling, and device management. TelemetryOS evolved from TelemetryTV and adds the ability to build and deploy custom React/JavaScript applications to screens — transforming screens from passive displays into active application endpoints. TelemetryOS users get everything TelemetryTV offers plus the Developer App, CI/CD pipeline, SDK, Node hardware, and edge computing capabilities. TelemetryTV is still actively maintained.

Question 58

How does TelemetryOS integrate with IoT devices and sensors?

Accepted Answer

All Node devices support direct MQTT broker connectivity through the TelemetryOS SDK. The SDK's MQTT methods let applications discover brokers, connect, publish commands, and subscribe to sensor data with multiple QoS levels. This enables real-time data flows from building systems, industrial sensors, temperature monitors, or any MQTT-compatible device directly into your screen applications. MQTT is available on both Node Mini and Node Pro.

Question 59

Does TelemetryOS support RS-232 serial communication?

Accepted Answer

Yes, on all Node devices. Serial port (RS-232 and RS-485) communication is available via USB-to-serial adapters and supported by the TelemetryOS SDK. This enables TelemetryOS applications to interface with legacy systems, industrial machinery, AV equipment, and building control systems that use serial protocols. The SDK exposes serial communication through safe JavaScript methods so applications can send commands and receive readings without low-level driver code.

Question 60

Does TelemetryOS provide proof-of-play reporting?

Accepted Answer

Yes. TelemetryOS includes proof-of-play logging that records when content was displayed on each device, including timestamps and scheduling confirmation. This is available across all plans and is essential for advertising compliance, content verification, and SLA reporting. Enterprise plans add application usage metrics and API-driven reporting for integration with external analytics platforms and business intelligence tools.

Question 61

Can I see what's currently displayed on a remote device?

Accepted Answer

Yes. TelemetryOS Studio provides Active Screenshots — on-demand captures of the current frame displayed on any device in your fleet. This is useful for remote verification that the correct content is playing, troubleshooting visual issues, and confirming deployments without needing physical access to the screen. Screenshots are accessible directly from the device detail view in Studio.

Question 62

What is AI anomaly detection?

Accepted Answer

AI anomaly detection is a Premium and Enterprise feature that uses machine learning to monitor device performance patterns across your fleet and automatically flag unusual behavior — unexpected offline periods, abnormal CPU or memory usage, or playback irregularities. The system learns normal baselines for each device and alerts you when something deviates significantly. Enterprise plans extend this with ML-powered predictive maintenance alerts that forecast potential hardware failures before they occur.

Question 63

Is service included when I buy a Node device?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every Node device purchase includes one year of Basic Remote Management at no additional charge. This covers cloud management, OTA updates, telemetry, remote diagnostics, and hardware warranty for the first year. After the first year, each active device renews annually. There is no separate activation fee or setup cost beyond the hardware purchase price. See the pricing page for current rates.

Question 64

How does the 90-day Premium trial work?

Accepted Answer

When you add your first device to a new TelemetryOS account, a normally 90-day Premium trial starts automatically. This gives you full access to Premium plan features including API access, GitHub CI/CD integration, 1TB media storage, 5TB monthly bandwidth, webhook notifications, and the full low-code development environment. After the trial, your account reverts to the Standard plan unless you upgrade.

Frequently Asked Questions