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Early Experiences with Apple Retail Store iBeacon Technology Prove Mixed
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I like the idea of walking by a product and knowing its promotion in any retail or grocery store I go to. Other cool things would be, what accessories go well with it.
However, since Apple rarely offers any promotions, its kind of useless for this purpose. However, a notification that opens up the iPad specs when I walk up to it would be cool.
However, since Apple rarely offers any promotions, its kind of useless for this purpose. However, a notification that opens up the iPad specs when I walk up to it would be cool.
How about the app opens up to the iPad you're looking at and adds a button in the UI for specs, availability, buy it, call a sales associate over to your location, etc. too.
Relax...
Maybe the tech is not really meant for an Apple store?
I can see hundreds of uses... Get your thinking caps on and stop pulling down the blinds... ;0D
Maybe the tech is not really meant for an Apple store?
I can see hundreds of uses... Get your thinking caps on and stop pulling down the blinds... ;0D
We are a pretty funny group.
Half the posts on this topic are hilarious to me. They completely overlook the fact that iBeacon system basically spammed the guy twice, and produced no relevant information on iPads or Macs. But what do we harp on? He was disappointed there were no special deals or promos. This is where we hang our "defend Apple regardless of merit" hat?
Apple has legitimate marketing genius. One could reasonably expect that with the intro of new tech, an enticement would be there for people to try it out. iTunes gift card, free store swag, or anything for that matter. It's just another way to drive the traffic to the store, like Cook wants.
It's the first day. Stuff happens. Reasonable people understand. Reasonable people don't start attacking a guy because he had a less than optimal experience. I don't think it was his fault the system didn't wow. It was just meh. Would you rather he lied and said everything worked great?
Half the posts on this topic are hilarious to me. They completely overlook the fact that iBeacon system basically spammed the guy twice, and produced no relevant information on iPads or Macs. But what do we harp on? He was disappointed there were no special deals or promos. This is where we hang our "defend Apple regardless of merit" hat?
Apple has legitimate marketing genius. One could reasonably expect that with the intro of new tech, an enticement would be there for people to try it out. iTunes gift card, free store swag, or anything for that matter. It's just another way to drive the traffic to the store, like Cook wants.
It's the first day. Stuff happens. Reasonable people understand. Reasonable people don't start attacking a guy because he had a less than optimal experience. I don't think it was his fault the system didn't wow. It was just meh. Would you rather he lied and said everything worked great?
Is there a way to turn off just iBeacons (for all apps) without disabling Bluetooth or the other types of location services?
I don't fully understand the privacy implications of iBeacons. If every store can just track me everywhere I go, I'd rather turn it off.
You're right that it's unwise to read too much in to this on day 1.
However, iBeacons have gone GM in iOS7. This isn't day 1 for iBeacons; it's day 1 for the Apple Retail Stores' implementation of it. Other places have already implemented or experimented with it.
Also, this is totally within Apple's ecosystem: he's in Apple's flagship store, which is using an Apple-developed protocol to talk to his Apple iPhone. We should have some pretty high expectations of reliability in that case.
What's wrong with good old-fashioned signs on the shelf? I really fail to see the appeal of running around in a store looking at my phone.
There have to be better applications. In-store navigation would be useful in large stores, but apps like the one from Home Depot can already direct you to a shelf by number when using their Wifi-driven "in-store experience".
Why would I turn on Bluetooth, run down my battery and be annoyed while shopping???
Perhaps Apple has something different in mind and this Apple Store rollout is just a test of customer reaction and acceptance. So far doesn't sound like anything exciting
Perhaps Apple has something different in mind and this Apple Store rollout is just a test of customer reaction and acceptance. So far doesn't sound like anything exciting
Apple rushing out a feature that doesn't work well?
How apple of them
Maps, iCloud, iOS 7, mobile me, etc
How apple of them
Maps, iCloud, iOS 7, mobile me, etc
Sorry dude, I'm fairly (95%) certain that it doesn't debit your account balance. One would need to have a credit/debit card on file for it to charge when you make an EasyPay transaction.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think that'd be possible. Apple doesn't allow you to use gift cards credit to buy anything except apps, music and videos. You can't even buy a gift card using your iTunes credit. Any such purchase (from physical apple store or any other third party store) would be credited directly to your credit card instead of iTunes credit.
It needs to be smarter
I don't really need it for product sales when I'm in a store. I think it's just going to piss me off.
I think of food specials and fun facts.
I want a restaurant to lure me in as I'm walking down the street, but it's got to be a great deal or I'm going to delete the app (or turn off iBeaconing if possible).
I'd also like fun facts while walking around town, "did you know this was the first house built in your hometown?" or "this statue was built to commemorate _____". But I don't want them for every interesting place I pass by, I want them just one every few days...
Gary
I don't really need it for product sales when I'm in a store. I think it's just going to piss me off.
I think of food specials and fun facts.
I want a restaurant to lure me in as I'm walking down the street, but it's got to be a great deal or I'm going to delete the app (or turn off iBeaconing if possible).
I'd also like fun facts while walking around town, "did you know this was the first house built in your hometown?" or "this statue was built to commemorate _____". But I don't want them for every interesting place I pass by, I want them just one every few days...
Gary
This technology will be amazing, say, for walking around on a self-guided museum tour. Or, indeed, for indoor navigation within an entire shopping mall.
But within an Apple Store? Eh. Cool that they're tinkering with it, but I wouldn't have imagined anything spectacular in the first place.
But within an Apple Store? Eh. Cool that they're tinkering with it, but I wouldn't have imagined anything spectacular in the first place.
I agree this isn't very exciting in a shopping context (but museums, sign me up) but Bluetooth le isn't going to run down your battery in a noticable way.
Yes, "Mixed" is an adverb modifying "experiences."
You can turn it off per-app (or just don't install the app to begin with.) It tracks you inside the store only. It uses Bluetooth LE, which is short-range.
I'm concerned that Joe Average won't know about these options. Not to mention Apple targets that kind of demographic.