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iBeacons Ready to Go at Major League Baseball Parks in Los Angeles and San Diego
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I went to a sold out game at Dodger Stadium in September and my T-Mobile data connection and signal were rock solid. My sister was having issues on her Verizon line though.
That's all good info but I'd really rather they just improved some signage. Maybe I should have read more but do I have to request the info from this beacon or will I just be blasted with spam when I'm near one?
This is entirely up to the MLB. These beacons CAN work on Android, but the developer is going to have to create their own API. With Apple, it's built into iOS.
e.g. StickNFind's SDK for Android: http://beekn.net/2013/11/android-bluetooth-beacon-sticknfind/
And according to Google, a mere 10.7% of them... can support Bluetooth 4.0 Beacon API.
http://developer.android.com/about/dashboards/index.html
Developing an API for bluetooth beacons for 10% of 50% of the marketplace is a lot of man hours and hardly worth it from a technology trial perspective. Compared to 4 iPhone models dating back to 2011 (easily covering the 2yr contract gap) that are updated to support it.
A minisule number of people are patched up and running the current release of Android. 1.8%.you would think developers/vendors would want to sell to everyone, not just those with iOS devices
apple may very well be offering incentive for restrictions though
Incentives aren't even necessary. Looking at the numbers, there would be no business justification to spend man hours for such a minimally deployed OS. Might as well argue for WinMo and BB10 adoption as well.
Exactly what is an iBeacon?
Your article has not answered these basic questions for me:
Exactly what is an iBeacon? What does one look like? How large is it? How is it powered? How much does one cost? Are their different brands, or are they only made by Apple? Are they for sale to the public?
I'm baffled by your article's lack of references or links to some actual useful information. After reading your article I still have no clear idea of what this thing called an iBeacon is.
Your article has not answered these basic questions for me:
Exactly what is an iBeacon? What does one look like? How large is it? How is it powered? How much does one cost? Are their different brands, or are they only made by Apple? Are they for sale to the public?
I'm baffled by your article's lack of references or links to some actual useful information. After reading your article I still have no clear idea of what this thing called an iBeacon is.
Yes, but you dont need the current release, you need 4.3. which most legitimate phones have.
The top 10% of 50% isn't all that bad. Apple, afterall, only goes after the premium markets and uses similar logic.
also read available open source api is already developed, just needs to be implemented in respective app
https://github.com/RadiusNetworks/android-ibeacon-service
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I had the exact same questions.
From my understanding (if i'm wrong looking for clarification)
iBeacon is really just a fancy way of using low power bluetooth 4.0 to determine your position within buildings, where otherwise GPS and Tower based positioning is either unfeasible, or unusable.
What it gives them the power to do, is using multiple ibeacon transmitters, is to triangulate your exact position inside, thus being able to feed you location aware content for that location.
I don't know what it takes to setup ibeacon. But an example of it in use could be in Apple's stores. if your phone was ibeacon enabled, it would know exactly where in the store you were located. So if you're standing in front of the accessories rack for 10 minutes, it'll know that, and they could use that data for... well. anything, from sending you targetted adds for Accessories, to sending a "genius" over to help you shop accessories. I think Apple is even hoping that it'll work in tandem with their in-store purchasing apps
for baseball stadiums. iBeacon can be used to tell you your exact location where you are, and then direct you to your seat. Or Perhaps let you order food from your seat, they would then know your exact location to send it too.
I believe both the Dodgers and the Dbacks are playing against Team Australia in two games before the two official MLB games.
Will Trent Oeltjen be there? I can't wait to find out.
It's a huge difference.
You are a developer with finite resources, and want to target the US Smartphone market, you can choose only one.
Choice 1: Android. 5% of US Smartphone market is android handsets that support bluetooth 4.0 beacons.
Choice 2: iOS. 36% of US Smartphone market (I'm gonna pull 90% out of my ass as iOS's 42% US marketshare is on the 3 yr old 4S or newer). Plus with it's 75% enterprise adoption rate, all your corporate and invester buddies are likely using iPhones.
Which do you choose? It's simple logic.
7 million potential customers vs 50 million and including your investors.
Vendors that would utilize ibeacons dont really have finite resources. Like I posted most of the work is already done. It's not like MLB doesnt have android apps. If MLB went iOS only, that would be a bad business decision. This isn't mom and pop stuff
1. Google...first link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBeacon
2. It is small, there are many examples on Google Image search.
3. AC Mains, PC USB port, or battery.
4. It varies maker to maker
5. Yes, different brands.
6. Yes. I have one attached to my Car ODB port for relaying data to iPhone, automatic.com. Also look up StickNFind, or Zuli smartplugs.
You would know what an iBeacon is if you had been following tech news for the last 6 months. That's not MacRumors responsibility. Use Google to catch up. Every article can't be expected to spoonfeed 6mo old information.
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So when the screeen is bigger with the iPhone 6 will you switch back or just stay where you are?
Your kidding right? Arrows pointing in a particular direction does not give you your current location. It certainly speeds up finding things. Paper maps have not diminished GPS sales.
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I don't know how you missed it. It's right here.
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An obvious application for this is concessions delivered to your seat. How many times do people just not buy popcorn or a beer because they don't want the hassle of standing in the lines or are too lazy to get out of their seats. Yes I know they've got guys running around selling stuff but they generally have just beer or just cotton candy. You could order a Coke, popcorn and hotdog and have it delivered to your seat and even paid for.
you would think developers/vendors would want to sell to everyone, not just those with iOS devices
Developers love iOS devices... even if iOS devices aren't the majority.
Look at the number of apps and games that are exclusive to the iPhone... even though the iPhone is only 15% of the smartphone market. Weird, huh?
If anything... it proves that all that Android market share isn't worth as much as you think. Sometimes selling to "everyone" isn't the best option.
As I said before... iOS-only isn't as bad as you think.
In this case... only a handful of Android phones would even be capable of this.
Or... any iPhone made in the last 3 years. Which is more valuable?
Look... people smarter than you and I have looked into the matter. And iOS is preferred... once again.
It doesn't matter how much money they have... it just wasn't worth it to support Android at this time.
Sounds very American to me: A mixture of technical overkill and de-responsibilization of the individual consumer
Been to a couple of mass venues in my life, but never felt the need for electronic assistance to find a seat, the loo or something to eat and drink.
Been to a couple of mass venues in my life, but never felt the need for electronic assistance to find a seat, the loo or something to eat and drink.
by the time this is able to do anything really worthwhile, android will be supported.