Early Experiences with Apple Retail Store iBeacon Technology Prove Mixed

[Rogifan]

There has to be something "in it" for the consumer, otherwise what's the point! We know what's in it for the retailer.

Fine, then he should have said this is pointless in Apple stores because they only offer deals once per year (assuming he thinks the only point of this is to alert consumers to deals, I don't agree). But I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't know that. Most Wall Street analysts are clueless about how Apple works.

 

[lolkthxbai]

Welcome to the future.

 

[charlituna]

Where's the opt-out button? I can't press it quick enough. LOL

No need since it is opt in in the first place

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You can buy something up to $200 with your iTunes account?
So if you buy iTunes gift cards at 20% off available at various retailers from time to time, you get 20% off your purchase.
That part sounds good to me.

With your iTunes account is not the same as using gift cards. It is unlikely they will ever change the policy you must have a credit card on file and that is used to buy physical objects.

 

[airamerica]

I still don't understand why anyone would be excited about a technology that lets them be marketed to in novel and intrusive ways.

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But that's horrific. Creating an urgency in someone's mind to buy products they can live without is making the world a worse place, not a better one. It activates the reward centers in their brains making them feel good for awhile, gets them in debt, wastes nonrenewable resources, and is spiritually hollow.

It's far from horrific... You opt-in to the app which relates to a company that you have some affinity with and the beacons alert you to offers, information and discounts relating to products or services you actually want, or need.

The urgency comes from delivering the messages in a 'timed' and contextual fashion. An example of a timed message could be... act now and receive a big discount, a complimentary product etc. Contextually a notification of low stocking levels, or end of line details would inform you of how quickly you have to act, to secure your desired purchase, in that particular store.

Keep in mind, this is an opt-in and opt-out scenario and therefore it's not social engineering! Likewise, I;d argue that it preserves nonrenewable resources and is spiritually and morally responsible behaviour. That's within the context of a retail / shopping environment.

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Can you describe some examples?

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Hm, the only way I could imagine this to be useful is if the offers could be correlated to a wishlist that I have, i.e. I would only be notified of offers if I have previously indicated an interest in the product. But then, there is no reason to only notify me when I'm standing right in front of the shelf, so it could be easily done with the existing location-based notifications when I'm close to the store.

I have seen examples of this technology working in relation to a wish list but that would be a fairly low-level example... Whilst I can't be totally specific, as my company is using Journification to create iBeacons apps for our business and we're under an NDA, I can say they (Journification) are working on amazing ideas.

For example:
1. 3 iBeacons in a single location, triggering messages which are gender specific.
2. iBeacon messages triggered by your direction of travel and your height relative to, products or services.
3. iBeacon messages triggered under certain atmospheric conditions, such as rising or dropping temperatures.
4. iBeacon messages combining products and services within a location or on a transport system.

Seriously, Journification are up and running with some mind blowing solutions and ideas - the like of which, seem to go way beyond what Apple, Macy's and Gap are doing right now. And it's worth keeping in mind that there will be other companies developing even more exciting applications!

 

[alent1234]

I think it's fairly safe to say that Apple are just getting started... the guys at Journification have shown me some truly amazing demonstrations and they already have iBeacons deployed in office environments, which go way beyond what Apple are doing in their stores.

I was amazed, in the demos I've been having, how the beacons create urgency, call to action and introduce elements of gamification. The net effect translates to increased activity and I really think this technology and the applications for it are really amazing!

Omg, better buy something now before there is no more

Just like the old communist countries

 

[airamerica]

Omg, better buy something now before there is no more

Just like the old communist countries

So, you've never been into a store and thought... I'll come back later, or I'll buy that tomorrow etc. only to find the item you wanted was sold out or discontinued?

As a retail operator, I'd rather all of my stock gets sold but I'd also like to think that my clients are happy with the information we provide for them and this adds value to their shopping experience.

There is nothing communist about this. It's a case of using technology to offer greater insight and support to our clients - we have a responsibility to do this. However, it's ultimately down to the consumer to take advantage, by downloading the corresponding app. That seems like a perfect marriage to me. Unless I'm missing something!

 

[Abazigal]

So what you're telling me is that in the event this kind of technology catches on, you physically won't even be able to run away from pop-ups.

Magical.

Or rather, when it catches on and is implemented correctly, you won't want to run away from it either.

 

[Tech198]

"mixed" is just the right word

Of course, U.S will go with anything, just as long as they see the word "Technology" and its interesting..

For the rest of us..... i dunno anyone here in Australia that pay with their iPhone in a store...

I mean, its cool, that you don't need to worry about speaking to an Apple person, just like ATM machines, the difference is, your already in the Apple Store ...... Wouldn't it hurt too bad to take a few minutes...... You're gonna be anyway while you fiddle in one spot with the app anyway, you may as well make yourself more useful.

Everything seems to be big overseas, but less so here.... so i'm not surprised we won't see this in aussie Apple Stores anytime soon..... I hope not...

But, at least it's "opt-in" Not "opt-out"

 

[RumorThis]

So what you're telling me is that in the event this kind of technology catches on, you physically won't even be able to run away from pop-ups.

Magical.

This happens if:

1. You have an app installed that recognizes these particular beacons.
2. You have Notifications turned on for that app.
3. Bluetooth is enabled on your device.
4. You are within range (a few feet) of the beacon.

If any of these conditions are not met, it doesn't do anything.

Perhaps you should have taken a moment to understand it before freaking out. Maybe the sky isn't falling after all?

 

[lilo777]

"mixed" is just the right word

Of course, U.S will go with anything, just as long as they see the word "Technology" and its interesting..

For the rest of us..... i dunno anyone here in Australia that pay with their iPhone in a store...

I mean, its cool, that you don't need to worry about speaking to an Apple person, just like ATM machines, the difference is, your already in the Apple Store ...... Wouldn't it hurt too bad to take a few minutes...... You're gonna be anyway while you fiddle in one spot with the app anyway, you may as well make yourself more useful.

Everything seems to be big overseas, but less so here.... so i'm not surprised we won't see this in aussie Apple Stores anytime soon..... I hope not...

But, at least it's "opt-in" Not "opt-out"

It's actually not so big thing here in USA either. Even though some Apple loving "journalists" are trying to pretend that Apple is singlehandedly solving huge problems for humanity nobody buys it. Were we really having any problems with being able to pay for your purchase? Not really. Typical solution in search of a problem. Kudos to Macrumors for not over sensationalising this minor technical development.

 

[samkroon]

iBeacons for the workplace

There's a new crowd-funding campaign for iBeacon-based context in the workplace: for indoor GPS + location based alerts & meeting room booking:

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/locio/x/5661771

 

[rysmtihaz]

I walked in to the Apple Store today for my Genius Bar appointment. It popped up, and allowed me to check in without finding one of the red shirted workers.

For that reason I'm already a fan.