Apple could make a killing with this little-known device
[Via MacDailyNews]
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“Unless consumers start carrying around two iPhones, investors are still waiting for Apple to come up with the next profit-driving monster,” Dan Newman writes for The Motley Fool.
“Many think this might be a role for the rumored iWatch. However, at an estimated selling price at half of an iPhone, around $300, and a consumer interest yet to be confirmed,” Newman writes. “But, one device that links up with iThings anywhere just might give Apple an iPhone-sized financial boost: an iBeacon transmitter for every home and business.”
“Imagine walking past the grocery store and receiving a notification of a sale on your favorite brand of cereal. Or, after sitting at a bar for an hour, receiving a coupon for your next round of drinks. Or, leaving a clothing store and automatically being charged for the items that you ordered to fit. iBeacon can do these things with low-energy Bluetooth technology, or BLE,” Newman writes. “Apple introduced iBeacon in 2013, and recently came out with standards needed to earn consent for use of the trademark. There are many variations of iBeacons that third-party manufacturers have designed, like Estimote’s rock-shaped transmitter, or the more utilitarian AIRcable USB dongle. However, a more Apple-esque design might come from the company. According to FCC filings, Apple has tested an iBeacon transmitter that it would manufacture itself.”
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We keep hearing about all these business uses for iBeacons -“Have coupons sent to your iPhone as you walk around.”
People will only use this if it is useful FOR THEM, not if it makes life easier for businesses. I’ve already written about how this technology could be useful for people – like making paying for meals at restaurants so much easier.
What happens at home when you have iBeacons from Apple available? First, combine them with Apple’s HomeKit. So your computer/iOS device knows where you are.
HomeKit will be designed to connect apps and home devices. Add some iBeacons and these devices will turn on or off depending on where you are.
So, as you walk around the house, it can do things, like turn on the light or open the garage door when you need it.
Or a home speaker system that not only plays music you want to hear as you move through the house but plays different music on different speakers depending on where people are in the house.
I’ll bet there are more.
A Man With A Ph.D. 