Apple will soon add ‘iBeacon’ location technology across its retail stores in a bid to boost sales and improve customer experience, according to a new report. Apple blog site 9to5Mac reports that Apple has begun stocking up iBeacon transmitters and will begin rolling out the sensors in stores across the US in the coming days. […]
Apple will soon add ‘iBeacon’ location technology across its retail stores in a bid to boost sales and improve customer experience, according to a new report.
Apple blog site 9to5Mac reports that Apple has begun stocking up iBeacon transmitters and will begin rolling out the sensors in stores across the US in the coming days.
The iBeacon system lets stores install transmitters that could then wirelessly connect to an iPhone when a customer walks near a certain product, providing updates and additional information such as pricing.
A developer familiar with the technology told 9to5Mac: “iBeacon seems like it was created with Apple retail in mind.”
For MacBooks and iPads, the system could allow a customer to receive a notification about a workshop related to the product they are viewing in store, or provide them with specifications or costings.
For example, if a user walks past an iPad in an Apple store, the iBeacon technology means they could receive an alert on their iPhone telling them about an workshop for iLife for iOS.
Users can choose not to receive the alerts, and they will need devices running iOS 7 that support Bluetooth 4.0.
The technology could also be used to locate customers waiting for upcoming Genius Bar appointments, or to present adverts or deals relating to nearby products.
Sources also told 9to5Mac that Apple is developing a new indoor mapping feature for a future version of iOS, which will help customers navigate their way around stores and buildings.
Read the report here
