iBeacons, a term we hear more and more often, but what is it really? What can you do, and also works with Android? In this article we look at the operation and capabilities of these devices.
iBeacons and Android?
In April 2014, the Dutch Android User Group a workshop on Android & iBeacons organized under the banner of Appril. There were about 20 Android developers and interested people present that were made in this technology since Jellybean (4.3) in the standard Android platform available. Familiarized
Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) is a standard of the Bluetooth 4.0 specification. End of 2011, this technology was already available in smartphones with the launch of the Samsung S II and other devices thereafter. For data transfer with BLE is pairing (pairing with another device) is not required and there is much less energy than the standard Bluetooth protocol, which BLE devices often communicate in a button cell battery for years. Android is BLE available from Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean).
The speed of data transfer BLE is much smaller, about 200 Kb / s versus 1-3 Mb / s that you can use standard Bluetooth communications reach. The setup time of the data transmission is once again much smaller, less than 3 ms, where you need about 6 seconds for the establishment of a standard Bluetooth connection. The range is about right, somewhere in the neighborhood of 50 meters. It is not a protocol in order to send a lot of data, but does little, fast and frequent. A heart rate, temperature and pressure measurement is perfect to carry with BLE and that is exactly what this technology is best suited for.
What are iBeacons anyway?
There are two BLE communication types. A kind of advertisement mode, where minimal information is available when scanning the BLE devices in a room and a mode where you can read. Using the so-called GATT (Generic Attribute) profile
Services This
GATT Services to describe the characteristics (Characteristics) which are available on a BLE device. This can be several, such as temperature, pressure and humidity, etc. Some
Characteristics are read only, while may be.
Other Characteristics also modified In addition, there
Characteristics where you can subscribe to changes. iBeacon is a name given by Apple in life is created at the launch of iOS 7 and builds on the advertising mode of BLE devices. Moreover, the scanning beacons in iOS operating system-level integration. So you can subscribe to this service as soon as the OS and app scans a beacon which your app is interested, you can handle them. Android is not (yet) available. You have to actively scan for beacons in your app or background service. This is of course not very battery friendly and not always necessary.
iBeacons Android Application
Research beacons is currently being done by museums, shopping and restaurants. The course is suitable for “close” to inform them of offers, loyalty programs and paintings or articles in a given space people. Even though there are applications where you can find. BLE easier with ‘things’ as your key ring
From left to right, Firefly beacon (white), the TI SensorTag (red) and the Blue Cats beacon (dark blue).
Availability BLE devices
If you want to go with them to the battle itself technology, then there are a number of possibilities. Estimote Blue Cats and deliver developer kits of three devices for $ 99, -. The SensorTag Texas Instruments (with two handy buttons that you can also read) go for $ 25, – over the counter. We also have a beacon producer in the Netherlands, Firefly, who was also present at the workshop. Firefly beacons costs € 25, – each, with a minimum purchase of four pieces. Firefly offers the unique ability to provide the devices. Their own color or company logo There are cheaper versions. For example, you RaspberryPi also be transformed into a iBeacon by an OBE dongle hanging. The CSR 4.0 dongles include sale through extreme deal for less than $ 7, – per piece.
About the Dutch Android User Group
The Dutch Android User Group (DutchAUG ) organizes monthly meetings where Dutch Android developers can share information and experiences in an informal atmosphere. This is usually accompanied with a meal and a drink afterwards during which there is plenty of time for networking. Joining is free and usually the meetings too. The next meeting is the Android code Puzzlers II meetup on Thursday, May 22 with the Android Knowledge is tested and teams will compete for the honor and great prizes
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Androidworld during Appril, how I earn money with my app
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