Apple's Beats brand in April unveiled the Powerbeats Pro, a redesigned wire-free version of its popular fitness-oriented Powerbeats earbuds.
Apple Retail Stores to Integrate iBeacon Systems to Assist with Sales and Services
Earlier this year at the keynote during its annual Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple mentioned iBeacon microlocation APIs as a new part of its SDK, which are designed to access location data through the Bluetooth Low Energy profile on iOS devices. Now, the company is preparing to integrate iBeacon systems into its retail locations, which will intially help with customer sales and later be implemented to assist with in-store services such as workshops and Genius Bar appointments, reports 9To5Mac.
According to the report, the integration of iBeacons within Apple's stores will be used in cohesion with a future update to the Apple Store app, which can give detailed information on a product when a user walks near an item. While Apple currently utilizes interactive iPad displays for many of its first-party products in-store, the updated Apple Store app would help users get information about the many products on shelves.
The company is also looking to integrate an indoor mapping feature in a future version of Maps for iOS, which would help users navigate through buildings and stores, and could also be used with iBeacon technology to provide greater information within an area. A report in September stated that Apple was working on tapping into the power of the M7 motion coprocessor to add additional mapping enhancements in future software updates, and it is possible that indoor mapping and iBeacon technology could work in cohesion with the motion-sensing chip for greater mapping information overall.
Earlier this year, Apple was said to be collaborating with Major League Baseball to utilize iBeacon APIs to enhance its MLB.com At the Ballpark app to create interactive experiences for its fans at stadiums. 9To5Mac also notes that Apple is also rumored to be testing a program allowing iOS developers to easily integrate the iBeacon API into third-party apps. While iBeacons can be currently implemented into existing apps by iOS developers, Apple has yet to provide a straightforward development program for the API.
According to the report, the integration of iBeacons within Apple's stores will be used in cohesion with a future update to the Apple Store app, which can give detailed information on a product when a user walks near an item. While Apple currently utilizes interactive iPad displays for many of its first-party products in-store, the updated Apple Store app would help users get information about the many products on shelves.
Apple is said to have begun stocking up on iBeacon transmitters, and the company, in the next few days, will begin installing these sensors in many Apple Stores across the United States. These transmitters will be placed on the tables that house Apple products in addition to store shelves holding accessories. The technology will serve as a way to both improve the Apple shopping experience, and in-turn, boost product sales.Furthermore, Apple is also testing its new iBeacon-based retail system to better provide services in its stores, such as notifying consumers about upcoming workshops, locating customers for Genius bar appointments, and allowing consumers to be informed of a repaired product ready for pickup. This deeper integration of services will reportedly be implemented after the initial roll out of the updated Apple Store app and iBeacons, and would allow for greater accuracy in locating customers within stores compared to the capabilities of the current app.
The company is also looking to integrate an indoor mapping feature in a future version of Maps for iOS, which would help users navigate through buildings and stores, and could also be used with iBeacon technology to provide greater information within an area. A report in September stated that Apple was working on tapping into the power of the M7 motion coprocessor to add additional mapping enhancements in future software updates, and it is possible that indoor mapping and iBeacon technology could work in cohesion with the motion-sensing chip for greater mapping information overall.
Earlier this year, Apple was said to be collaborating with Major League Baseball to utilize iBeacon APIs to enhance its MLB.com At the Ballpark app to create interactive experiences for its fans at stadiums. 9To5Mac also notes that Apple is also rumored to be testing a program allowing iOS developers to easily integrate the iBeacon API into third-party apps. While iBeacons can be currently implemented into existing apps by iOS developers, Apple has yet to provide a straightforward development program for the API.
Tag: Apple retail
[ 81 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
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74 months ago
Wanna boost product sales? Just fix the damn icons.
Let a grown-up do the work this time!
74 months ago
These are the things that are going to set the iPhone miles ahead of competitors.
I can't wait to see the full power of iOS 7.
I can't wait to see the full power of iOS 7.
74 months ago
Wanna boost product sales? Just fix the damn icons.
Let a grown-up do the work this time!
You know, some people actually like the flat icons. I for one wasn't a big fan of the glossy, bubbly textures.
74 months ago
I wonder when Apple will start selling iBeacons to the public. This could be really useful for small businesses. Walk into a restaurant and their menu shows up on your iPhone...
74 months ago
That's very cool. Imagine something like this at a supermarket - checking products against your allergies/diet requirements.
...and checking your medical records then denying your purchase of bacon.
NO F'N THANK YOU!
74 months ago
Wanna boost product sales? Just fix the damn icons.
Let a grown-up do the work this time!
Aaah yes, the peanut gallery is open.
74 months ago
Wanna boost product sales? Just fix the damn icons.
Let a grown-up do the work this time!
Let a grown-up do the work this time!
74 months ago
I knew you would say that. You are probably one of those conspiracy nuts who reads about the NSA all day. However, scandal of the day notwithstanding, freedoms are at an all-time high. 300 years ago you would have had a choice of one or two religions or faced serious persecution. 250 years ago you would have had no say at all concerning the laws of your country. 200 years ago you could have been a slave. 100 years ago you wouldn't have been allowed to vote if you were a woman. 50 years ago you could have been chemically castrated by the state for being gay.
Freedoms have gone up in no small part because of technology, that's really the only way to explain the huge progress in the last century compared to the millennia before that. Communications and integration technologies are a huge part of these advances. Enjoy reading your doomsday newsletters, but sadly for you and happily for everyone else you will die an old man without getting to see the Orwellian apocalypse that you fantasize about.
*Yawn*
You're a bigger slave today than at any time in history, my friend.
No amount of argument from me will bring you out of your coma. You must realize things on your own.
Laugh at me all you want, it doesn't hurt my feelings.
A slave who believes he is free is the best slave, as he knows not of the chains that bind him.
If you really want to live in that kind of world, be my guest... just don't go on telling me that it's a fairytale perfect little world because I know better.
74 months ago
Well I sure you can pay for the world's obesity problem.
What? Perhaps I should have been more blunt with my statement. I was referring not only to bacon, but to the implications this could lead to in regards to privacy. Though, it seems to be something that kids these days don't care about anyways.
Enjoy your micro-managed cookie cutter no freedom having life. You'll get what's coming to you, don't say I haven't warned you.
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