What is Eddystone? 5 factóabout the new beacon from Google’a

After twoóch years of Apple’s monopoly’In the market for BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) technology, Google has released its own solution. He called it Eddystone, as if he didn’t want the new format to be associated with iBeacon if only by name. Quite right, because Eddystone is not just another player in the market. It is an engine for revolution, whichówhich is about to start and whichówhich is worth observing. Here are five key factsóabout the new Google project’a, któIt’s worth knowing before it gets started.

1. This Google’a solution that is an alternative to iBeacon

Eddystone is a completely new way to transfer data using a BLE signal. It enables similar solutions to those proposed by theó³ Apple’What is Eddystone in, e.g., Apple, but enriches it, adds new functionalities to it and solves problems thatóThe iBeacon did not solve.

Beacons using the Eddystone format can transmit three packets of information, called frames (frame types):

Eddystone-UID – the unique ID of a particular beacon. This frame allows you to display push notifications and force actions on dedicated applications. Just like Proximity-UUID, whichóWe already know the iBeacon.

Eddystone-URL (successor of UriBeacon) – simply a URL. User whoóWhen it is in the vicinity of a beaconóIn the case of beacons emitting such packets, it will see on its smartphone „stored” by them links. WróI will add to this package in a moment.

Eddystone-TLM (telemetry) – data collected from sensorsów. This frame allows you to make róThe game can be used to plan and prepare. Eddystone-TLM (telemetry) stored in a, c, d, e, f, g, etc. (sending notifications or forcing specific actions on smart things) depending on the prevailing conditionsóin, for example. temperature, volume or humidity.

2. Eddystone is open

Unlike iBeacon, the format of Google’a is available online and open, so anyone can access it and help develop it. This opens up unlimited possibilities and creates room to continually test the capabilities of the technology. Eddystone, expanded by a focused wokóIt’s a community that knows theóWe were not able to implement the new formatóand share your ideasórcóThe Apple Google solution responds to the needs of both users and recipientsóin the application, it has a chance to become a mutually friendly system.

3. It is compatible zaróboth with Android and iOS

Problems with integrating the iBeacon profile with the Android system were a huge problem for developersóin whichówho have been developing applications for Google’s mobile system’a. Apple’s solution’and in principle did not anticipate working with systems other than iOS.

Google has not imposed a similar embargo on Apple. Eddystone, although dedicated for Android, is compatible with iOS. This undeniably makes it the most versatile beacon solutionóin the market.

But what about those whoówho have worked with iBeacons so far? Will they have to replace the whole fleet and write applications from scratch based on Google API?’a? Eddystone support’For the competitor’s solutions it works both ways. The dedicated Nearby API also allows for the needs of thoseót also develop applications supported by iBeacons.

4. Combines beacons with the Physical Web

Google responds róIt also addresses the needs of those whoóers would like to use the power of proximity marketing, but don’t have dedicated apps. He developed a second framework for them – Eddystone-URL.

URLs, emitted by devices and róThe objects are the foundation of the Physical Web, another Google project’a, launched last year. The premise was simple. UriBeacons, as the beacons invented under Physical Web were called, were to send links rather than unique combinations of characteróin and digits, whichóThey are recognized by applications programmed for this purpose. URLs were therefore to be displayed by all nearby smartphones, whichóre support the Physical Web, so in the future all Androids from version 4.3. up to.

Physical Web became part of Google’s new project, and UriBeacon ceased to exist and was replaced by Eddystone’a. Possibility of using beaconsóin order to communicate with people whoóre not downloading a dedicated app, provides a key advantage for Eddystone’and other solutions. So crucial that companies and developers would switch to it even if there were no other benefits.

5. It is available now

To prepare your hardware’u and software’u to support the new format Google invited only a few companies. AmongóThe project also includes the Kraków-based Contact Center.whoóre offers full technological support for Eddystone’The company’s standard Smart Beacon and its outdoor and harsh environment Tough Beacon.

This is just the beginning. As the format evolves, so will the technology. We are waiting for solutions, whichóWe’ve only dreamt about them so far, but they’re not yet hereóWe didn’t have a way to implement. If you want to be a part of it, join the Eddystone community’and share your ideas.

You have questions about beaconsóin or Eddystone’a? Let us know in the comments. Do you want to be up to date with the new Google project’a and BLE technology in ogóbut? Follow us on Twitter.