Bluetooth Beacons: Cheap, Versatile, and Limited
By now we’ve all seen the tags and tiles that help people keep track of their stuff, and it’s hard not to be impressed by these little devices. The manufacturers want you to think of them as a small gadget that will show you exactly where your keys, wallet, luggage, car, whatever, is located at any time. And while it’s true that these devices have the capability to do exactly that, it is also true that they have important limitations that make them inadequate for a wide range of applications. It’s important to understand what they are and how you to use them if you don’t want to lose your stuff.
What Are They?
At their core, these devices are nothing more than tiny little radios. They have a small battery that allows the Bluetooth radio to transmit a packet containing a unique code for the device. The battery in the most popular beacons can last anywhere from six months to two years, but the battery will eventually need to be swapped out just like any other electronic device.
What Can They Do?
One of the coolest features of these radios is that, since they transmit a Bluetooth signal, any modern smartphone is capable of picking up their signal. If your cellphone has the proper app installed, it will automatically detect all of the Bluetooth beacons that are within about 30 feet of the phone at any time. If you have also given the app permission to share this information with the network, your phone can update not only the location of your tags, but also the location of everyone else’s tag that is on the same service.
This capability allows for two common use scenarios:
- Static Beacon: If a Tile or Tag is permanently installed in an office (for example) you can get information about when a person’s phone is also in that office. In theory, this setup could allow an employer to track everyone’s phone to determine what time they showed up for work, when they left, and how long they took for lunch or a break.
- Mobile Beacon: Everything is a little more complicated when the Tag or Tile is attached to something that is on the move. The only time the beacon owner will get an update on its location is when there is a Bluetooth receiver (like a smartphone) close enough to the device to receive the signal. Even then, that phone needs to be set up to share its information with the whole network. Not many people configure their phones to share information about all of the beacons they encounter, which limits the practicality of using these devices for tracking a moving asset.
What Can’t It Do?
The big thing to remember is that this device can only transmit its identity, and only over very short distances. If the tag is more than 30 feet away from a properly configured smartphone, there is no way to get an updated location report. It is not a GPS tracking device, but it can be helpful in providing location information when used correctly.
How Can I Use It In My Business?
There are a lot of different ways to use these versatile devices. If you have an idea on how you might use them in your business, schedule a free consultation with me and we’ll talk it through.