Beacons are low-cost Bluetooth transmitters that can deliver proximity-based messages by transmitting signals to nearby devices, allowing those devices to determine their proximity to the beacon. Beacons do not transmit content directly but enable devices to figure out their proximity, allowing location-based apps to provide contextual information to customers based on their location in a store. iBeacon is a specific Bluetooth technology used by Apple devices to detect beacons, while beacons are the physical hardware devices that transmit and receive Bluetooth low energy signals.

1. Getting started with
Beacons

2. Beacons are low-cost, low-powered transmitters equipped with Bluetooth Low Energy or BLE
(also called Bluetooth 4.0 or Bluetooth Smart) that can be used to deliver proximity-based,
context-aware messages.

3. A beacon transmits signals which allows another device to determine its proximity to the
broadcaster.
 In a retail store, a beacon lets a customer’s app determine that it’s close to a particular aisle in
a particular department.
Beacons don’t transmit content, they simply transmit signals that let a user’s phone or tablet
figure out its proximity to the beacon.

4. iBeacon Technology Vs Beacons
iBeacon is not a physical product, it’s a technology built into Apple devices from iOS 7 onwards
which lets iPhones and iPads scan for Bluetooth devices nearby. Beacons are the hardware
devices that emit and receive bluetooth low energy signals