The uses could be almost limitless, but here are a few good ideas.
I linked to the “print” page because Citeworld split the article up into three pages.
10 things iBeacons could be used for besides Apple retail
The uses could be almost limitless, but here are a few good ideas.
I linked to the “print” page because Citeworld split the article up into three pages.
Almost limitless uses, yes. And a huge increase in the number of people walking around focused on their phone screen instead of looking where they’re going.
I wonder if Bluetooth can be used to detect approaching Bluetooth devices, like other phones. Turn it into a collision avoidance system for pedestrians, like the feature being built into some newer car models…
I’m surprised they didn’t mention grocery stores. Every time I enter a Costco or Safeway looking for an odd item, I wish they had something like iBeacon set up. I’d gladly feed my whole shopping list to an app if it would organize my shopping trip. Feel free to show me ads for stuff as I walk by it, in exchange. Heck, while we’re at it, ring me up as I go.
how about
1. read your shopping list.
2. create a map of the store like treasure map.
3. ping on each item.
4. give the item to auto check out.
5. pay as you go.
6. bam
The author doesn’t seem to entirely understand how iBeacons work: they don’t broadcast information, per se, they simple broadcast a UUID and two other identifying numbers.
To detect one, you must already have an app on your iPhone that knows to look for the UUID of the iBeacons in your system, and it will then receive the other ID numbers and proximity ratings for all iBeacons within range, in the background. It’s then up to the app to figure out what to do with that information, and what to display. All data and logic lives within the app.
So, yes, while a lot of these ideas are good ones, it’s not quite as straightforward as he’s describing, since very little data is actually coming from the beacon itself. (This is actually an advantage, since they can be made very small and power efficient. I’ve been prototyping with some devices that can run for months off a watch battery.)
I’d love that too, but those store do everything they can to keep you in for as long as possible. They don’t want you zipping in & out.
Right. I figured the “casino” method (the buffet is always at the back) was as intentional as placing impulse items near the registers. But the value of selling “live ads”, or even selling a speedy trip as a convenience over competing stores, might be worthwhile as well. We can hope they’d at least do that math to compare.