Beacons are beacon-type devices based on Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology. These devices are compatible with devices that use the Bluetooth 4.0 protocol (the most standardized among current devices); this low-consumption technology allows us to extend the life of the battery of the elements that have Bluetooth communication activated. Despite being a technology that is not modern, we can find the first BLE references in 2007 and the first applications using beacon technology made for the iOS 7 operating system.
Beacons, as we have already mentioned, are a kind of beacons, that is, the device continuously emits signals at a particular frequency. By using BLE technology, we can lengthen the device's battery and even increase the transmission frequency. However, we will be limited to the transmission distance; we can also have different types of beacons, depending on whether they need to be linked to the device. One of these devices' advantages is their size, which can be relatively small and concealed within different elements; another exciting point of this technology is that they do not usually have a high cost.
The information that we can obtain from the different beacons may vary. Still, the most normal thing is to find a UUID (a unique identifier, which allows us to identify the beacon itself), a global ID of the beacon, the distance that separates us from the beacon (not the exact position), the strength or quality of the signal and some extra information.
As we have mentioned, the beacon's information does not give us the exact position concerning the device. It would be necessary to carry out more complex calculations such as triangulation calculations from the information received by various beacons to detect locations. But we can also see if we are approaching a beacon or moving away from another.
Now that we have seen what beacons consist of and how they work, we can consider some of the applications Hyperlink InfoSystem can give to this technology type. However, it will merely be a small sample of its possibilities and our mission as Beacon App Development agency to provide a new spin to technology to get more out of it.
Let's imagine that we have a shopping center or a department store with different stores or aisles, and we want to locate the user in the other sections. We can detect the location of a device concerning other beacons; this would allow us to find the user and guide him inside.
We can also make applications linked to the proximity of the user. Imagine the previous case, with an application that can inform the customer of the different offers that can be found in the other sections or stores that are available.
Another interesting application that we can give to this technology is the application in smart homes. We can not only automate our houses through sensors but these beacons. We can detect if our device is approaching our house or recognize the same location within the home itself.
One of the exciting aspects that are still to be exploited is using these beacons in the video game industry; we can find plugins for the different indie graphics engines to handle these devices. This also opens up a new range of possibilities within the video game that have not yet managed to make their place in the sector, as in biomedical sensors.
The use of beacons is technology can give us a lot of advantages and in which there is still a lot to say. However, it is also an example of technology with a hard time getting started, such as other examples like augmented reality or even virtual reality. They are "new" technologies that are no longer so novel, but they can give us excellent service with a little boost.
We develop solutions using wireless beacons that communicate with a smartphone via Bluetooth. Beacon technologies are widely used in retail, hospitality industry, airports and train stations. When implemented correctly, beacons increase the average check, improve the user experience and blur the line between online and offline (the collected data is stored in the cloud).
We provide access to our task manager, and are also ready to work in any way convenient for you. You can get information about the status of the project at any time.
We provide a full project life cycle: from the creation of system requirements and development to implementation, support and development.
An individual approach to development, regular clarification of requirements, strict control of the timing and budget of the project ensure the creation of a high-quality product.
We hold meetings and show regular demos all through the project development stages.