Using Bluetooth to send ads between nearby devices sounds both boring
and annoying. But that’s exactly what Apple’s iBeacon does — and Apple’s
not in the boring-and-annoying business.
The ubiquitous iBeacon is Apple’s portable, low-cost transmitter that
notifies other iOS 7 devices of its presence. iBeacon has won raves
because of its low power signatures and rapidity of sending push
notifications to Apple hardware like the iPhone, iPad, and even iPods.
While Android OS’s can receive adverts from iBeacons, they can’t
transmit them. With Apple adding souped-up attribution features in iOS
7.1 recently, the word on the street is that Apple will harness the full
spectrum of their power in the mobile ad space.
Chris Damron, chief innovation officer of proximity-based marketing shop BeaconStream, is currently using iBeacon to help small and medium businesses navigate the mobile targeting aspect of their companies.
With the Apple Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) opening Monday in San Francisco, Damron laid it out while he fervently believes in iBeacon, and why it will be huge for Apple.
Why iBeacon will be a major strategy in Apple’s grand plan
Unlike Near Field Communication (NFC), iBeacon has more proximity coverage, is more affordable, and requires less power.
Apple implemented this solution by using a mix of iOS and Bluetooth Low
Energy devices to serve its customers at stores. iBeacons can transmit
data in the absence of a GPS, Wi-Fi, or a 3G connection. Apple is
looking for the next big thing, and iBeacon allows for communications in
remote places like malls, mines, cruises, etc. In the current version
of iOS 7, Apple enabled and implemented iBeacon technology in all of
its devices, thus setting the stage for widespread use.
The impact iBeacon will have on consumers, businesses, & retailers
The impact iBeacon will have on consumers is enormous in that people
will have access to information, deals, videos, and electronic coupons
that are relevant to their specific interests, all in real time. No more
coupons from retailers that don’t apply to their needs.
Businesses and retailers will be impacted by the fact that they will
now have a direct line to their customers, drawing them to their
location, as well as enticing them to buy additional items while still
in the store. iBeacon will allow businesses to attach digital content to
everything in the physical store.
The future is iBeacon. Here’s where to expect it
Rumors are flying that there will soon be a $1 beacon, allowing
businesses of any size to use this technology and allowing companies to
have multiple touch points with customers. This will change the entire
product supply chain with deep analytics that can track inventory and
customer needs.
iBeacon as you see it today is just the initial offering. The uses are
endless, and we expect to see it combined with other applications that
exist in the marketplace today. Combining iBeacon technology with
point-of-sale will provide consumers with a shopping experience that is
fast and easy and that fulfills both the consumer’s and retailer’s
needs.
Source: Extraa Education
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