What is "iBeacon", short-range wireless communication that becomes hidden killer content of iOS 7?

Although I was informed about its existence quietly at the presentation of the WWDC in June, I was not told any details about "IBeaconHowever, it became clear that it is a data transmission / reception function using wireless communication. What is iBeacon which is said to be killer content in part by iOS 7?

With iBeacon, Apple is going to dump on NFC and embrace the internet of things - Tech News and Analysis
http://gigaom.com/2013/09/10/with-ibeacon-apple-is-going-to-dump-on-nfc-and-embrace-the-internet-of-things/

Craig Federigi, senior vice president of software engineering introduced one slide in the WWDC keynote in June, but did not mention anything about the notation "iBeacon" displayed there. And that was the same at the recital of iPhone 5s, 5c the other day. However, this iBeacon is turning out to be a very attractive wireless communication technology.

Here is the slide. Function added in iOS 7 "AirDrop" in the description of "iBeacons" notation.


◆ Beacon
IBeacon is a startup companyEstimoteCompany developedBeaconThis is a short-range wireless communication technology using a sensor named. A movie that understands what kind of world can be realized when iBeacon collaborates with the iPhone is here.

Estimote Bluetooth Smart Beacon - iBeacon - compatible - YouTube


This green terminal is Beacon. It corresponds to Bluetooth SMART (Bluetooth Low Energy).


Since Beacon is driven by batteries, installation is completed simply by sticking to the wall.


This is the inside of a sundry store.


Beacon is installed on the table that displays the product, and we are sending the data.


Product information will be automatically transferred from iPhone to Beacon.


You can see information on photos, movies, ratings, prices, SNS about products.


A discount coupon for the product has been sent.


In addition to sending information to customers, Beacon can feed customers' actions to stores and utilize them for business.


The Beacon sensor terminal is equipped with an ARM processor, a standard acceleration sensor is added, more sensor functions can be added, it is possible to operate for 2 years continuously with button batteries. Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) is used for data transmission / reception. Because Beacon can recognize each individual mobile terminal and send information according to it, for example, it is also possible to send special service guidance only to the upper customer. Furthermore, Beacon, like NFCSettlement functionTo be holding.

◆ Beacon is superior to NFC
Although Beacon competes with NFC as a short range wireless communication technology, Beacon is excellent in various respects.

Beacon is more than NFCWide data transferable rangeIt has the advantage. NFC is available only for proximity, the theoretical value can be used within 20 cm, but in reality the usable range is less than 4 cm. On the other hand, Beacon can transfer data over a wide range of 50 m in theoretical value and 10 m recommended value.

Furthermore, in order to use NFC, it is necessary to have NFC chips respectively in mobile terminals, but since the Beacon sensor transmits and receives data using Bluetooth,Correspond to Beacon if Bluetooth function (exactly BLE) is installed in mobile terminal OKThe low hurdle is also an advantage.

In addition, by installing multiple Beacon sensors,It is also possible to accurately identify the position of the user's mobile terminalis. For this reason, indoor mapping (indoor navigation) that leads users to a specific place can be realized, for example. Although Google Maps has adopted indoor mapping so far, it was not functioning as a complete indoor map because indoor GPS data can not be received. However, complete indoor mapping is possible with Beacon. Also, since Beacon can distinguish between "entering" and "opening" of customers, it is possible to deliver information accordingly, and NFC can not realize services that can not be realized.


Estimote currently accepts Beacon terminals for three dollars (about 9900 yen).


This price seems to be expensive compared to the NFC chip at first glance. However, since the range covered by one Beacon terminal is 100 square meters, the cost for setting up Beacon terminals is about 5000 dollars (about 500,000 yen) even for large stores, and for each one million items It is an extremely small cost compared with the cost of attaching NFC chip mounted tags. Of course,Running cost is almost zeroIt is not comparable with NFC which cost is expensive every time goods are exchanged.

In contrast to Apple choosing Beacon for wireless communication technology, Google is currently focusing on NFC and the Beacon-NFC confrontation is facing the aspect of iOS and Android's surrogate war. We are paying attention to future development as to which side will win victory as the next generation wireless communication technology.

· Continued
New target marketing method using iBeacon of iOS 7 short-range communication has appeared successively - GIGAZINE