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Samsung going head-to-head with Apple with iBeacon rival, Proximity

The rivalry between Apple and Samsung looks set to enter a new field as Samsung has announced a direct competitor to iBeacon, called Proximity.

Samsung Proximity is a mobile marketing platform that connects consumers with places via cutting-edge Samsung location and context-aware technology.

With Samsung Proximity, visitors are able to experience rich content related to their location, and marketers can better engage with customers for increased sales and brand awareness.

The applications Samsung describes for the service are identical to those already in use with Apple’s iBeacon partners … 

While the underlying technology is exactly the same – with the same Bluetooth LE beacons able to broadcast information to both services – Samsung does appear to be taking a slightly different approach in the way that information is delivered.

With iBeacon, retailers and other businesses wanting to send alerts do so via their own iPhone app. Samsung is apparently baking support for Proximity right into its Android overlay, so it’s always on. Businesses have the option of offering customers their own app, but it isn’t a requirement.

While this is good news for retailers – who will be able to send alerts to visiting customers whether or not they are running the store’s own app – it’s not yet clear whether it will be good news for owners of Samsung phones: the company hasn’t provided any detail on how people choose which alerts they do and don’t want to receive.

No timings have yet been announced: Samsung is currently working on signing-up businesses.

Apple of course has a substantial head-start, with its iBeacon service already in use in a wide range of businesses, including retail stores like Macy’s, American Eagle, DisneyThe Bay, Lord & Taylor and Walmart – and such diverse locations as MLB stadiumsairports, restaurants and even small businesses.

Apple’s rollout of the service appears to be paying off for iBeacon partners, with early usage suggesting it leads to increased app usage, ad engagement, purchase intent and sales.

Via Engadget

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Comments

  1. The Gnome (@gnomehole) - 9 years ago

    Samesung will pay businesses to use this, lose more money, and people will continue to buy phones other than theirs. Their day in the copy-cat sun is done.

  2. I cannot wait to read up on this lawsuit :)

  3. rogifan - 9 years ago

    Copying continuity and iBeacons. Have they no shame?

    • 89p13 - 9 years ago

      Not only “No Shame” – but no creativity, vision or future vision other than copy what’s already been done!

      Shitsung!

  4. They have no shame. As I say, they should be banned from the whole world! We can not accept this!

    • whatyoutalkingboutwillis - 9 years ago

      Don’t you think that is a bit over dramatic?

      • charilaosmulder - 9 years ago

        It’s just sad to have such a big company around with no values and no ethics at all. They lack vision and creativity, and they add precisely zero value to the tech world. They also lie a lot. Therefore, I think it’s pretty reasonable to say the world would be a better place without Samsung.

        There’s absolutely nothing over dramatic about the thought of a better world.

  5. herb02135go - 9 years ago

    This is classic Apple apologist mode.

    Do you realize how many features of the new iPhone have been available for nearly a year on the Samsung Galaxy s5?

    Do you know that other Apple – centric websites are reporting that Android switching to the new iPhone is pretty nonexistent (though this website hadn’t mentioned that report to you).

    Samsung innovates. Apple imitates.

  6. Jurgis Ŝalna - 9 years ago

    Forget about it. iBeacons won’t go anywhere without… Apple Pay.
    Think about it – with iOS 8 MAC address randomisation shops are getting less data from you and Apple Pay does not provide tracking information same way credit cards do.
    If customers want better customer service and loyalty discount – just get the app and enable location services. The sales rep will know from its smart watch your past purchases and will advice accordingly. I wouldn’t be surprised if Apple start accepting payments using smart watches too. That would massively disrupt retail.

    Concerned about your purchases – just keep using Apple Pay ordinarily.

  7. Luis Alejandro Masanti - 9 years ago

    “While this is good news for retailers – who will be able to send alerts to visiting customers whether or not they are running the store’s own app – it’s not yet clear whether it will be good news for owners of Samsung phones: the company hasn’t provided any detail on how people choose which alerts they do and don’t want to receive.”

    As usual, Apple sells devices… Samsung/Android sells users…

  8. Edison Wrzosek - 9 years ago

    And here people like herb were thinking Scamsung would actually innovate something for a change, yeah right! Same’ol Scamsung, nothing has changed.

    I say let them keep doing what they’re doing, they’re just embarrassing themselves doing what they’re doing, and it’ll cost them in the long run. It’s already costing them with collapsing sales and income, and judging by this sheer act of desperation, it will continue to plummet.

    Oh, and baking this BS directly into TouchWiz without a method to deactivate and forcing the owners to get all broadcasts? Larry and Eric must be wetting themselves!

  9. Just one question: can they invent something firts rather than copying ??? I would be ashamed if I was a Samsung owner…..

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Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Ben Lovejoy

Ben Lovejoy is a British technology writer and EU Editor for 9to5Mac. He’s known for his op-eds and diary pieces, exploring his experience of Apple products over time, for a more rounded review. He also writes fiction, with two technothriller novels, a couple of SF shorts and a rom-com!


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