It has now become a race as to which proprietary technology will be able to revolutionize the way merchants and businesses interact with our smartphones. After Apple announced their iBeacon in the middle of last year, which they said would simplify payments and offers for retailers, there hasn’t been much major development from their end, and many consider it still in the initial infancy stages. Now Samsung has announced they are working with several systems to be able to bring the Proximity Platform to retailers and consumers.
Using Bluetooth Low Energy, which is part of Bluetooth 4.0, the software solution they’re working on with systems providers like GigaLine, Radius Networks, Roximity and Swirl will be able to offer retailers, merchants and other businesses the opportunity to connect with Android smartphone users that are in their proximity. A lot of the newer smartphones released since the past year have Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity already, including Samsung Galaxy S5 and the Samsung Galaxy Note 4.
Stores can offer discounts or e-catalogues to those who will pass by their establishments. Shopping malls can let shoppers know about events and stores they want to push. Airports can beam flight information and schedules to passengers waiting for their flights. Museums can bring mobile tours to visitors. Sports stadiums can send maps, messages and also special offers to those who attend the games and concerts. There are a lot of possibilities and different iterations that venues and businesses can come up with.
Apple’s iBeacon indoor proximity system uses low-cost and low-energy transmitters, which means Bluetooth Low Energy as well. However, it can only communicate with iOS devices running on iOS 7, so it does limit the market a bit. With Samsung’s Proximity Platform, they’re hoping to give businesses a larger market, as well as deeper system level integration.
VIA: SlashGear
Waiting for the copy statements hahaha atleast they are adding stuff to phones and integrating them to different platforms.