IBeacon

iBeacon is an indoor positioning system^[1][2][3] that Apple Inc. calls "a new class of low-powered, low-cost transmitters that can notify nearby iOS 7 devices of their presence."^[4] They can also be used by the Android operating system.^[5] The technology enables an iOS device or other hardware to send push notifications to iOS devices in close proximity.

The iBeacon works on Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), also known as Bluetooth Smart. Bluetooth LE can also be found on Bluetooth 4.0 devices that support dual mode.^[6] In a real life scenario it would be more of a location-aware, context-aware, pervasive small wireless sensor beacon that could pinpoint your location in a store: iBeacons could send you notifications of items around you that are on sale or items you may be looking for, and it could enable payments at the point of sale (POS) where you don’t need to remove your wallet or card to make a payment. It could be a possible Near Field Communication (NFC) competitor.

It uses Bluetooth low energy Proximity sensing to transmit a Universally unique identifier^[7] picked up by a compatible app or operating system that can be turned into a physical location^[8] or trigger an action on the device^[9] such as a Check-in on social media.

The beacons come in different formats, including small coin cell powered devices, USB sticks and software versions.

On December 12, 2013, the US patent office released a patent application filed on June 12, 2013, by Apple for an iBeacons Restaurant Ordering & Reservation System. The application covers a unique system whereby a user of an iOS device could be presented not only with options of local restaurants but also wait times and seating availability in real time, and remote and in-restaurant ordering systems that allow customers and staff to place and modify orders. A payment option allows for pre or post payment.

Latest developments

In mid 2013 Apple introduced iBeacons and experts wrote about how it is designed to help the retail industry by simplifying payments and enabling on-site offers. With the launch of iOS 7, retailers and other small to medium enterprises will be able to use this Bluetooth 4.0 based technology. On December 6, 2013, it was reported that Apple activated iBeacons across its 254 US retail stores.^[10]

On January 6, 2014, Los Angeles-based app developer inMarket launched the first multi-retailer rollout of iBeacons, to 150+ grocery stores in Seattle, San Francisco and Cleveland. ^{[11] [12]}

Compatible devices

• iOS devices with Bluetooth 4.0 (iPhone 4S and later, iPad (3rd generation) and later, iPad Mini (1st generation) and later, iPod Touch (5th generation)).
• Android devices with Bluetooth 4.0 and Android 4.3 and later (Samsung Galaxy S3/S4/S4 Mini, Samsung Galaxy Note 2/3, HTC One, Google/LG Nexus 7 (2013 version)/Nexus 4/Nexus 5,^[13] HTC Butterfly (aka Droid DNA).^[14]
• Macintosh computers with OS X Mavericks (10.9) and Bluetooth 4.0 using the MacBeacon application from Radius Networks.^[15]

Comparable technologies

Although NFC environment is very different and has many non-overlapping applications, it is still compared with iBeacons.

• NFC range is up to 20 cm (7.87 inches) but the optimal range is < 4 cm (1.57 inches). iBeacons have a significantly larger range.
• Not all phones have NFC chips (no iOS devices) but most phones have Bluetooth capability (most new ones come with version 4.0).
• With the zero battery energy harvesting technology used from devices made by Passif, there is less battery used than NFC.

References

Indoor Location Based Services (Indoor LBS) iBeacons www.indoorLBS.com