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Timekeeper field guide

Building Your Own Timekeeper Kiosk

You do not need proprietary Timekeeper hardware. A practical touchscreen device, camera, browser, reliable connection, power, and sensible device controls are enough.

Hardware and platform research reviewed September 10, 2026.

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What a Timekeeper kiosk actually needs

TouchscreenFor employee actions after scanning
Usable cameraFor dependable worker QR scans
Modern browserWith camera access enabled
Reliable internetRequired for normal operation
Reliable powerFor your intended hours of use
Device lockdownTo keep workers in the kiosk

Timekeeper requirement A current browser that can access a camera and reach Timekeeper over the internet.

Practical recommendation Use touch, a stable mount, continuous or business-hours power, and device controls that keep the station focused.

Hardware-specific feature Charge limits, managed single-app modes, wired adapters, and direct-power operation vary by model and operating system.

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Why tablets make sense

For many small businesses, a tablet around 9–11 inches is a useful middle ground: large enough for clear touch controls, small enough to mount near an entrance, and likely to include a front or rear camera. That size is guidance, not a Timekeeper requirement.

Tablet

Often the simplest general-purpose choice because touch, camera, Wi-Fi, and a broad mounting ecosystem are built in.

Phone

Can run the browser-based kiosk, but a smaller screen and tighter camera/mounting geometry may be less comfortable at a shared station.

Windows touchscreen

Can provide strong operating-system controls and flexible ports, with more setup and cost than many simple stations need.

Rugged tablet

May suit heat, dust, impact, glove use, or special power and mounting needs. It is not necessary for a typical office or shop.

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Camera and QR setup

Timekeeper scans a worker’s QR through a camera made available by the browser. Expensive camera specifications are not the goal; dependable recognition in the installed position is.

  • Keep the camera clear of the enclosure, bezel, and mount.
  • Point the selected camera toward the employee in the final orientation.
  • Grant camera permission to the Timekeeper kiosk site.
  • Test actual worker QR badges or images at a realistic distance and under workplace lighting.
  • Use Timekeeper’s Auto, Front, Rear, or External USB camera choice only when that camera is available through the device and browser.

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Internet and network reliability

Timekeeper requirement

Shared Kiosks require a reliable internet connection for normal operation. Timekeeper does not provide offline kiosk time capture or queue employee actions for later submission.

Test Wi-Fi where the device will actually be mounted, during normal business activity. A good signal in the office does not prove that a metal-walled entry, back room, warehouse door, or job trailer will be reliable.

If the device supports a compatible adapter or dock, wired Ethernet can be worth considering. Your hardware, adapter, network, and internet service remain your responsibility. Tell employees what process to follow if Timekeeper reports that the connection is unavailable; do not assume an action was saved.

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Keeping the kiosk on Timekeeper

Configure the device so ordinary workers cannot casually leave the kiosk, browse elsewhere, close the intended session, open unrelated apps, or change network and system settings.

Apple / iPadOS

Guided Access can temporarily restrict iPad to one app. Organizations needing stronger managed controls can evaluate supervised Single App Mode with their device-management provider.

Android

Basic screen pinning is easy to exit and should be treated as a light deterrent. Android’s stronger Lock Task mode requires allowlisting through a device policy controller. Manufacturer tools such as Samsung Knox or a reputable kiosk browser may be options.

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Power and always-on use

Use the manufacturer-supported charger and power supply, route the cable where it will not be pulled or pinched, and keep ventilation open. Inspect a permanently powered device, cable, adapter, and mount periodically for wear, damage, heat, or battery changes.

Use manufacturer battery-protection or charge-limit controls where the exact model supports them. For example, Apple documents prolonged-power charge management on iPad and an optional 80% charge limit on supported models. Do not assume the same control exists on every model.

Some rugged hardware has a verified direct-power mode. Samsung, for example, documents optional No Battery Mode for specific Galaxy Tab Active models. Confirm the exact model, required power supply, environmental limits, and manufacturer instructions before planning batteryless use.

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Mounting and physical placement

Wall or counter

Choose a stable position that suits traffic flow and the mount you can secure.

Reach and angle

Put touch controls and QR scanning within comfortable reach for the people using them.

Camera clearance

Verify that the mount does not cover the camera and that a badge can be held naturally.

Cable and airflow

Protect power and network cables without trapping heat around the device or charger.

Security

Choose tamper or theft resistance appropriate to the location and who can access it.

Final-location signal

Repeat the network test after the mount, enclosure, and nearby equipment are in place.

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Examples we researched

These are representative device families—not official Timekeeper recommendations, certified hardware, or a complete compatibility list. Prices and availability change, so we intentionally do not publish price promises here.

Mainstream iPad

Apple iPad 11-inch (A16)

What we verified: 11-inch Multi-Touch display, landscape 12MP front camera, rear camera, Wi-Fi 6, USB-C charging, iPadOS, Guided Access, and an 80% charge limit on this supported generation.

Tradeoff: simple hardware and broad mounting choices; stronger managed single-app control requires additional administration.

Apple specifications

Mainstream Android

Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+

What we verified: approximately 11-inch touchscreen with front and rear cameras. Android offers light screen pinning, while stronger lockdown depends on device management or a third-party kiosk approach.

Tradeoff: accessible mainstream form factor; verify current OS/security support, the exact regional model, browser camera behavior, and battery options before buying.

Samsung specification sheet

Alternative Android

Lenovo Tab M11

What we verified: approximately 11-inch Android tablet with an 8MP front camera and an autofocus rear camera in the documented configurations.

Tradeoff: practical tablet shape; availability and update support vary, so confirm the exact model’s current security-update plan and mounting fit.

Lenovo specifications

Rugged Android

Samsung Galaxy Tab Active family

What we verified: selected Tab Active models offer rugged construction, replaceable batteries, and an optional documented No Battery Mode for fixed continuous power.

Tradeoff: useful for demanding environments or direct-power planning; typically more hardware and administration than an ordinary office kiosk needs.

Samsung Tab Active5 specification sheet

Windows touchscreen

Microsoft Surface Go 4 family

What we verified: 10.5-inch multi-touch display, front and rear cameras, USB-C, Windows, and compatibility with the Windows Assigned Access and Edge kiosk-control approach.

Tradeoff: flexible ports and strong Windows controls; setup, support, and total installed cost can exceed what a simple tablet station requires.

Microsoft specification sheet

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Before you buy

  • Touchscreen size and placement suit your workers.
  • A front, rear, or supported external camera can face the worker.
  • The operating system and browser still receive security updates.
  • The device has a realistic lockdown method for your environment.
  • You have a manufacturer-supported power strategy.
  • A suitable mount leaves the camera and ventilation clear.
  • Wi-Fi works at the final location, or supported Ethernet is planned.
  • The expected support life and total installed cost make sense.

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Before you go live

  1. Mount the device where it will actually operate.
  2. Connect the intended power and network.
  3. Open the unique Timekeeper kiosk URL and grant camera permission.
  4. Scan real worker QR material at a realistic distance.
  5. Test a Clock worker’s Clock In and Clock Out.
  6. If used, test a Manual worker’s presence actions and confirm they do not create payable Manual hours.
  7. Test Lunch, Break, and Return when enabled for that kiosk.
  8. Interrupt the network. Confirm Timekeeper reports the problem, does not pretend the action was saved, and becomes usable after connectivity returns.
  9. Restart the device and confirm the intended browser/session and camera return correctly.
  10. Confirm ordinary workers cannot casually leave the kiosk and an owner or manager knows the administrative exit process.

For the complete business rollout around this equipment test, use the Timekeeper Implementation Guide.

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Hardware responsibility and research disclosure

GetSkipa LLC does not sell kiosk hardware and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or compensated by the manufacturers, retailers, or third-party kiosk products mentioned in this resource.

Products are examples from our research, not required Timekeeper hardware. Customers should verify current specifications, support, pricing, availability, network service, and suitability before purchasing or installing equipment.