---
title: "Introduction"
canonical: "https://docs.cuesystem.com/space/ACSG/318472193/Introduction"
format: markdown
---
This Setup Guide describes software solution appCUE (runtime<sup>(1)</sup>) enabling to use of any Apple iOS, Android, and Windows device as a Cue System control panel or controller. It is a suitable addition to CUE’s touch panels and other control panels. The appCUE is the unified name for all platforms and it is the direct successor of iCUE, aCUE, and pcCUE runtimes.

Main differences against old runtimes

- Control GUI application download from AL server during usage (not upload from CVC).
- Floating licensing is unified for all platforms.

Functionality matches professional current runtimes, which means IP commands are available and direct IP control is possible. In every case, the appCUE needs a CUE touch panel or controller as an AL server.

The GUI application has to be designed using standard programming tool - Cue Visual Composer, where effective application preparing is achieved by visual programming approach with drag and drop, advanced editing technique IntelliSense, export and import of ready to use pieces of the program, and more. Communication between the control system and control panel is based on a wired or wireless (Wi-Fi) network communication using CUEnet<sup>2</sup> protocol.

The free appCUE can be downloaded from the following sources:

- App Store for Apple iOS
- Google Play for Android
- CUE’s website for Windows.

The following picture describes how to use appCUE for various platforms.

![image](media://a894efca-06cd-4eef-99df-382da95f0520)

The controller or touch panel (AL server) stores XPL<sup>2</sup> applications and licences, which can be downloaded to devices running appCUE. Specific number of licenses can be buying every time and downloaded to the unit. At the same time, the system can be controlled by max. number of mobile devices equal to number of stored licenses. This mechanism allows use any mobile device with appCUE installed. If some license is free, the control application is downloaded from the license and application server to a mobile device registered on the network.

> 📝 <sup>(1) </sup>Runtime is application designed to support the execution of programs written in XPL2 language using Cue Visual Composer. The runtime contains implementations of XPL2 commands accessible to the programmer through an Application Programming Interface (API). Runtimes allow to program and run applications for different operating systems by the same tools as rest of the Cue System (touch panels, controllers) and they are fully integrated with CUE products.