What is iBeacon Technology?

iBeacon is a protocol developed by Apple and was first introduced at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference in 2013. Since 2013 Technology Industry Vendors have created iBeacon-compatible hardware transmitters – typically called beacons.  They are low energy (LE) devices that broadcast their identifier to nearby portable electronic devices.  This technology apply to smartphones, tablets and other portable smart devices to perform actions when in close proximity to an iBeacon hardware transmitter.

How does iBeacon work?

iBeacon uses Bluetooth low energy proximity sensing in order to transmit a universally unique identifier that it is picked up by a compatible app. The identifier and several data sent with it, is used to determine the device’s physical location, track customers, or trigger a location-based action on the device such as a check-in on social media or a push notification.

Where iBeacon is used?

In messages, push notifications, check-in and several other uses. The compatible application is distributing messages at a specific Point, for example a store or a bus stop or a specific location or a product like a book. This is similar to previously used geopush technology based on GPS, but with a much reduced impact on battery life and high precision.It helps smartphones determine their approximate location.

The Use Case list of iBeacon Technology has no end. This article can give you a sense of its potential benefits “Over 100 use cases and examples for iBeacon technology” by Alexandru Bleau at blog.mowowstudios.com

iBeacon Technology Use Cases

In a nutshell this slideshare by www.xtremepush.com explains it in 10 sec: