Mobile Control (PWA) - A Primer

Applicable SongShow Plus Versions:  
This article applies to SongShow Plus 9.2 and Later using SongShow Mobile Control (PWA).

* Updates affecting this feature may be available. Ensure that you are using the most current build of SongShow Plus from the Download page before proceeding. *

The mobile control feature for SongShow Plus has been reworked for version 9.2 and, fundamentally, it’s a significant change. The two previous iterations of the mobile control apps were deployed as native apps. In the first iteration (Mobile Control 1.0), the apps were built using dev tools native to each platform (iOS and Android). For the second iteration (Mobile Control 2.0), a cross-platform tool was used to build the apps deployed to iOS, Android, and Windows. For the third iteration, we are now using Progressive Web App (PWA) technology.  

Progressive Web Apps are designed to look and feel more like native device apps but are deployed from a website rather than through the platforms’ app stores.  

Progressive Web Apps have two distinct advantages to the traditional platform based apps:

• PWA are based on browser rules and therefore there is only one version needed to support any device that can run a browser.
• PWA do not require any platform specific (Android/iOS/Windows) submissions, approval or deployments so we have control of when and how updates are made.

The function of Mobile Control is still the same - controlling a SongShow Plus program from somewhere other than the machine running SongShow Plus. This new method is more flexible than previous versions.

There are two parts to setting up Mobile Control:

• Configuring the SongShow Plus machine to allow Mobile Control.
  • The instructions needed for this part can be found on the Mobile Control tab of this site. Additionally, once registered, all connected machines will be listed there as well.
  • Review the Best Practices article for additional recommendations.
• Configuring the device you wish to use for Mobile Control. This can vary slightly depending on the type of device you are using, however, the following apply to all types:
  • The device and the SSP machine must be on the same local network.
  • WiFi access to your local network must be allowed through your AP/Router.
  • The device must have an up to date browser - Chrome (Android) and Safari (iOS) are defaults, but others should work as well.
    • The selected browser should NOT be in a private or anonymous mode - this will prevent a proper connection.
    • The selected browser should NOT block or modify cookies - this will prevent a proper connection.
    • The selected browser should NOT block or modify any pop-ups - this may prevent a proper connection.
    • View the Best Practices article for additional recommendations.
  • The device must be signed in to the SongShow Plus website.  For additional details on this, review article MC28.

If you have any questions regarding the use of or issues with  SongShow Mobile Control, please contact the Support Team.

(MC29)