What is iBeacon?

This relatively new concept by Apple is potentially a game changer for app developers and retail stores worldwide. By implementing Bluetooth Low-Energy wireless technology, Apple devices can experience a brand new location oriented information services, which may have multiple applications in a real world scenario.

What makes it tick?

Essentially the Beacon is a small Bluetooth transmitter that is a physical product. The apps you have installed on the phone will listen to any signal transmitted by these Beacons and will display information directly on your phone.

For instance,

Let’s say you’re roaming a mall and walk into a shop. If you have thus said retailer’s app installed on your phone, the phone will pick up the signal and display relative information such as discount deals, hot items and more. Similarly, if you were to go to a convention or even a museum, the associated app would display more information about the booth or museum piece when you get close enough.

You have to be within a certain range for the beacon to activate and will have to stay there for a certain period of time before the beacon actually sends you the information in the aims to reduce unnecessary clutter on your phone.

Are there any Real World Applications right now?

While the technology is still in the infant stage, there are a few places that are testing the beacon. As expected, Apple is already testing this in their US retail stores and are working out the dynamics of the technology. Virgin Atlantic similarly is conducting trials of the iBeacon at Heathrow Airport in order to assist passengers with security checkpoints. Essentially, as you approach one of these checkpoints your phone will automatically pull up your mobile boarding pass in order to facilitate the boarding process. There are a few others also jumping at this opportunity such as Tesco, Waitrose and more.

What will the Future hold?

There are virtually limitless possibilities to this technology ranging from purchasing tickets at movie theaters, obtaining discount coupons that can be used in store, guided tours through cities and much more.

A few other options include;

• Flash Sale Alerts
• Facilitating attendance checks (schools, conferences etc)
• Mobile Payments
• Information Alerts at museums or memorials
• Potentially even voting (still far into the future)

The Hardware

The iBeacon signal can be emitted from iPad however, this is where Apple stopped. They left the hardware development in the hands of third-party producers. Virgin Atlantic is using hardware from Estimote.

Limitations

The signal can experience interference by a variety of objects including doors, walls and other physical objects in the area. In addition, even water can affect the signal meaning that the human body could be a potential boundary as well.

iBeacon Revolution

There is no doubt that the iBeacon will become commonplace in retailers from around the world. Once the public integrates this technology into their daily lives developers will have the possibility to take their apps out of the virtual world and into your everyday life.