building proximity-aware apps with beacons - modev iot + wearables 2014

Building Proximity-Aware Apps with Beacons

David HelmsChief Product OfficerRadius Networks, Inc.

@davidhelms@radiusnetworks

It’s the Internet of Things!

Get out from behind the glass with proximity-aware mobile apps!

What’s a proximity-aware mobile app?

A proximity-aware mobile app presents content or executes procedures when it nears a place or a thing.

What is a beacon?● Bluetooth v4.0 Low Energy

transmitter

● Used to mark a place or a thing

● Compatible mobile devices can uniquely identify and determine proximity to a beacon

● Typical range of 25m to 40m

What information does a beacon transmit?

Beacon advertisements contain…● Identifier - Represents a specific

place or thing

● Measured Power Value - Represents the signal strength of the beacon at 1m distance.

● The mobile app must specify the beacons to be monitored

● App will be notified of region enter and region exit events, even when the app is in the background or terminated.

● Can range for proximity zone while in region by comparing actual signal strength to measured power value.

How do proximity-aware mobile apps usebeacons?

What mobile devices work with beacons?

● Apple iPhones, iPads & iPod Touches○ Bluetooth 4.0 hardware support○ iOS 7 or higher

● Android phones & tablets○ Bluetooth 4.0 hardware support○ Android 4.3 Jelly Bean or higher

Is user privacy protected when using beacons?

● Users have legitimate concerns about the use of their location information.

● Beacons are transmit-only and do not receive or collect signals from mobile devices.

● The use of beacons is inherently opt-in and requires users to take affirmative steps to allow proximity-aware apps to use their location information.

Beacons are inherently opt-in.

1. Users must decide to keep Bluetooth enabled on their mobile device.

2. Users must choose to install a proximity-aware mobile app on their device.

3. Users must explicitly agree to allow a proximity-aware mobile app to use their location information.

Are there different kinds of beacons?● iBeacon is the most popular beacon

type. Defined by Apple for use with iOS mobile devices.

● AltBeacon is a complementary, open-source alternative introduced by Radius Networks for non-iOS mobile devices.

● Other major mobile vendors hint at future iBeacon alternatives ?

What is a multi-beacon?

● Multi-beacons solve the fragmentation problem of multiple, incompatible beacon advertisement types.

● A multi-beacon transmits multiple beacon advertisement formats concurrently.

● Proximity services are delivered equally to iOS and Android devices.

● RadBeacons from Radius Networks are multi-beacons supporting both iBeacon and AltBeacon.

Let’s see some real beacons.

● RadBeacon from Radius Networks○ USB powered○ Coin-cell battery powered○ AA battery powered

● Other beacon providers○ Estimote○ Gimbal○ Kontakt○ ...and lots more

What’s the future of beacons & proximity technologies?

● Corporate market○ Beacon deployments > 10,000

units○ Powered and long-life battery○ Ruggedized & weatherproof○ Remote monitoring &

configuration● Consumer market

○ Cheap / Disposable○ Unmanaged

● Integration into traditional equipment○ Wi-Fi access point hotspots○ Point-of-sale terminals○ Fuel dispensers○ Self-service kiosks

● More iBeacon alternatives● Long-range Bluetooth beacons● NFC beacons

What’s up with Radius Networks?

Radius Networks makes the mobile proximity technologies, tools and services that help developers, designers and digital marketers deliver magical solutions to their users. The World’s Best Beacons

Mobile Proximity SDKs

Mobile Proximity Developer Tools

Beacon Fleet ManagementCloud Platform Services

Campaign & Content ManagementCloud Platform Services

At the shop

Reward customers with loyalty points and special offers.

Provide efficient, alternative ways to request assistance and pay for purchases.

At the museum

Personalize each exhibit experience based on the museum visitor’s age and interests.

In the hospital

Present a patient’s chart to a doctor or nurse upon entering that patient’s room.

In the classroom

Log attendance and present relevant study materials for class.

At the stadium

Offer in-game seat upgrades for unused premium seats.

Create new sponsorship opportunities for additional team and venue revenue.

At the conference

Turn the show floor into an interactive experience to encourage foot traffic and increase value to exhibitors.

On the train

Present an electronic ticket automatically as the conductor approaches.

In the airport

Receive a notification as your bag is about to be delivered on the carousel.

At the hotel

Prompt a personal greeting from the hotel staff on the arrival of a guest.

Present the option for self-service registration and bypass the front desk.

Building Proximity-Aware Apps with Beacons

David HelmsChief Product OfficerRadius Networks, Inc.

@davidhelms@radiusnetworks