At Tactify, we take the complexity out of complex technologies to help businesses connect with their customers where they spend most of their time — on their phones. One of the technologies that has been booming lately is iBeacons. So of course, we were curious if Apple would announce updates at WWDC.
Turns on, the rumors were wrong. Apple held out on even mentioning iBeacons but within their iOS 8 announcement was a significant update when it comes to location services.
Photo via MacRumors
With the updated software, relevant apps appear on the lock screen based on your location. Walk into an Apple store, Starbucks or Vons and their apps appear in the bottom left of the lock screen. Apps for banks and train stations were also reported to appear. According to MacRumors, the feature works using both the App Store app and Location Services (which have to be turned on). Even if you don’t the app of a nearby establishment, it will appear in the lock screen and bring you to the App Store where you can download it.
Why is this update important? First off, it will be much easier and faster for consumers to launch apps for in-store purchases and coupons. For businesses with apps, it lets customers know that they have an app – and makes them easier to download. Furthermore, it gives businesses even more reasons to use iBeacons by addressing one of the biggest hurdles – the need for consumers to download a separate app. If businesses want to use iBeacons to offer discounts through their app, the process to download the app has been simplified to swipe and download. Plus, with the ability to now use Touch ID with third party apps makes it even simpler.
We’ll be sure to report on additional details to this feature in the upcoming weeks! Follow us on Twitter!