Apple to Roll Out iBeacon at Retail Stores?
- Wednesday, November 20th, 2013
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Apple is stocking up on its own iBeacon location-based technology and will start installing it within US retail stores in the coming weeks, according to sources speaking to 9to5Mac.
The tech will be used in conjunction with an update to the Apple Store app to send push notifications about pricing and features of products.
Only devices running iOS 7 that support bluetooth 4.0 will be able to receive such messages and users will be given the opportunity to opt-out.
Future developments slated include sending relevant advertising, upcoming in-store event updates, queue busting for store appointments and repair pick up notification.
iBeacon launched alongside the latest version of iOS and uses bluetooth to send push notifications to a compatible app on a device that is in close proximity to the transmitter. The iBeacon itself comes in both hardware and software forms.