All you need to know about the Apple iBeacon
Remember that Apple’s Bluetooth allows it to be connected to only other Apple devices? No, there’s no change in that yet. But the iBeacon uses this very Bluetooth technology, known in the technical world as the Bluetooth low-energy (BLE) wireless technology which is also lovingly called Bluetooth Smart. These beacons are small devices that can be used to transmit this Bluetooth technology.
It is a way to provide location-based information to all the Apple devices. This technology has arrived in iOS7 which means any Apple device that has recently upgraded to this OS, like the iPhone 4s. These beacons are small devices which are rather inexpensive. Applications in the Apple store can listen out for the signals that are transmitted by the beacons and they can send a suitable response as well.
It is pretty obvious Apple will have a beacon rivalry with Android as Google plans to incorporate such technology as well. As of now, Android operating devices can receive the signals sent by the Apple devices, but they cannot emit them. The distance between an iOS device and an iBeacon is categorised into 3 distinct ranges:
- Immediate: Within a few centimetres
- Near: Within a couple of metres
- Far: Greater than 10 metres away
The main use of iBeacon?
The main use of this location-based, context-aware pervasive sensor is that it can throw information which is freely available and offered from the nearby locations. Suppose you pass a shop that has a beacon, it throws information as to what is available or the offers or discounts or events that they wish to lure you into. Beacons near museums and monuments could throw you historical information to your Apple device’s screen.
Afraid of being stalked?
What if you get attacked by a deluge of advertisements wherever you go because of these beacons? Well, not really. It all depends on the applications you have installed and the preferences you have chosen. Setting a notification threshold should give you your space. If you are not much of a person who could use such information popping on your screen you can always uninstall a few applications or switch off the Bluetooth.
Other questions about iBeacon
Beacons are not necessarily Apple products. They are mostly manufactured and designed by third-party companies. Beacons are advantageous that GPS in the way that they are better suited for in-door circumstances which GPS still has a problem with. But signal pick up of beacon varies as well depending upon the physical objects like doors and walls between devices. As water is also mentioned as having an effect on the beacon signals, human bodies can also affect them.