Google's Eddystone is being developed, designed to keep Apple's iBeacon on its toes.
Bluetooth low energy (BLE) are small battery-powered devices that use Bluetooth technology to send commands when a compatible device is smartphone or tablet is visible nearby.
It is a technology that uses location-based information to the advantage of consumers as well as businesses.
"It's like a radio station that plays only one song, over and over, but instead of music the beacon sends out a unique ID number that can be read by an app on your phone. That app, in turn, can look up the location of that particular beacon and deliver information to you based on where you are," Yahoo reports.
Stores like Macy's have utilized Bluetooth beacons, experimenting with location-sensitive shopping, offering discounts and promos to its buyers as they wander through the store.
It's not exactly a new thing, with Apple's iBeacon implementing this technology. And this time, Google's Eddystone is doing just the same - well, not exactly the same.
Unlike, Apple's iBeacon, Google Eddystone is a "new and open format" that "anyone" can implement. It beams information to your mobile devices when you're in a specific place as well as broadcast a URL when there is no available, corresponding app on your device.
Developers may choose to either send location-based information or find and ping a nearby Bluetooth beacon.
Google Eddystone, however, developed a system called "Ephemeral Identifiers (EIDs)" that only broadcasts signal only visible to "authorized clients."
"EIDs will enable you to securely do things like find your luggage once you get off the plane or find your lost keys," Google Engineering Director Chandu Thota, and Product Manger Matthew Kulick, write in a blog post.
Google is now using the Eddystone's brand of technology to some of its roster of apps, such as Google Now.
The beacon system is being used "to help prioritize the most relevant cards, like showing you menu items when you're inside a restaurant."
Google's Eddystone works on both Android and iOS devices, although it needs more study for increased beacon adoption.
