Walking by an iPhone table will let you check your upgrade availability

Dec 6, 2013 13:29 GMT  ·  By

Starting today, Apple will be using iBeacons across its 254 retail stores in the United States, guiding customers with iDevices around points of interest tailored to their needs.

The Associated Press reports:

“On Friday, Apple Inc. will begin using the technology at its 254 U.S. stores to send you messages about products, events and other information — tailored to where you are inside, provided you have downloaded the Apple Store app and have given Apple permission to track you.”

The news agency reportedly scored a hands-on with the technology at Apple’s busy (flagship) store on Fifth Avenue (Manhattan, NY).

One of the features described is walking by an iPhone table and getting “a message asking if you want to upgrade, check your upgrade availability and see if you can get money for trading in your old phone.”

Numerous other functions are described as well, including getting a notification if the Mac you ordered is ready for pickup.

There are some security concerns involving all this user tracking, but AP says most shoppers tend to be favoring the benefit of acquiring a product that’s right for them.

iBeacons will be adjusted to specific distances, including for when you’re outside the store, standing at a particular aisle, product demo table, etc. Notifications about deals or upcoming events will also be served up via iBeacon.

To be enrolled in the program, US-based iDevice owners must download and install the official Apple Store application.

Users will be asked to accept In-Store notifications, at which point Bluetooth and Background App Refresh will have to be enabled as well.

As noted above, the feature is currently limited to customers and stores in the Unites States. You can immediately download Apple Store 2.9.1 for iPhone and iPod touch, or download Apple Store 1.0 for iPad and get started today.