Apple Employs iBeacon to Offer Personalized Shopping in Retail Stores

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By Stan Schroeder2013-12-06 11:26:30 UTC

Apple will today launch a new, personalized shopping experience in its 254 U.S. retail stores, the Associated Press reports.

According to the report, Apple will use iBeacon technology, which tracks customers' movement inside an Apple Store, to offer info such as order status, price comparison and more.

See also: Apple Store App Arrives on iPads Just in Time for Black Friday

For example, if you walk by an iPhone table, you might get a message asking if you want to upgrade to a newer model, together with pricing info.

The technology is opt-in and will require customers to install the official Apple Store app on their iDevices.

The iBeacon technology uses Bluetooth to pinpoint your location. The technology has been tested by Macy's in November; Apple also foresees it could be used in other places such as museums and sports stadiums.

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Image: Jeff Pachoud/Getty Images

Topics: apple, Apps and Software, iBeacon, Mobile, Tech