Bluetooth beacon technology has enabled exciting new location-aware use cases through broadcasting small data packets that can be picked up by mobile devices. iBeacon and Eddystone are two leading beacon standards that share similarities but also have distinct differences. This article examines the key capabilities and use cases of these two important standards.
Introduced by Apple in 2013, iBeacon uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to broadcast identity signals that can be detected by compatible mobile apps. The signal contains a Universally Unique ID (UUID), major value and minor value. Apps leverage these identifiers to trigger actions when in proximity to a beacon. With iBeacon, Apple established the foundational architecture for BLE beacon tech.
Eddystone arrived in 2015 as an open beacon format developed by Google. Like iBeacon, it broadcasts ephemeral IDs over BLE that mobile devices can recognize. Additionally, Eddystone supports sending URLs, allowing users to instantly access web content by coming near a beacon. It also has a telemetry frame for transmitting sensor data from beacons.
A key difference is that iBeacon is locked to Apple devices only, while Eddystone has cross-platform support. For apps working across iOS and Android, Eddystone may be preferred. Eddystone also offers more flexibility with its multi-frame approach compared to iBeacon’s single advertising packet type.
In terms of use cases, iBeacon excels at micro-location detection thanks to iOS integration. This makes it ideal for deployments at specific points of interest. For example, a museum may tag exhibits with iBeacons so its app recognizes when users are at a particular artwork.
Meanwhile, Eddystone’s telemetry and URL features enable new types of contextual interactions. An Eddystone beacon in a bus stop can transmit arrival data to passively inform waiting riders. URL broadcasting allows almost any location to become an access point for digital content.
Both platforms have advantages. iBeacon provides seamless iOS integration, while Eddystone offers cross-platform capabilities and richer broadcasting options. Moving forward, these two standards will likely co-exist in many BLE beacon deployments.
In summary, iBeacon and Eddystone have been instrumental in powering the Bluetooth beacon revolution. Their complementary strengths and growing vendor support indicate that both will continue seeing wide adoption. As beacon technology matures, we can expect exciting innovations that further enhance the connected user experience.
