I know about and (thanks to @JDRoberts (here) think I understand the concept of iBeacons.
Now, I’m wondering if it would be possible to use Android devices with Bluetooth radios (phones, tablets, TVs, etc) as Bluetooth ‘Beacons’.
I’m not wondering about using the Android device as a ‘Receiving Station’ of Beacon reports from iBeacons. I get that, but I want the Android to be the Beacon itself so that I can use them in my future micro-presence strategy.
Since I already have a few (and will add more over time) Android devices mounted on walls around the house to run SmartTiles, LANnouncer, and other things, I figure I might as well take advantage of the fact that they have Bluetooth radios too, and start building my micro-presence bluetooth ‘mesh’ (I know, not really the best term, but that’s not my area lol ) with what I already have on-hand.
I already know how to get the generated info from my pocket-phone into SmartThings when the time comes. Now I just need to figure out how to get the wall-mounted Androids to start sending out Bluetooth ‘beacon signals’ so that I can use them for micro-presence.
So, if there is some kind of app that already brings this capability to Android, or if anybody knows a way of doing something like this with Tasker/SharpTools/WhateverElse, please let me know.
EDIT: I just realized that my ‘farm’ of available Bluetooth devices is much wider than just the Androids that I have mounted on the walls. There are also our iOS devices (if any are or could be stationary), our Windows, Mac & Linux computers, etc.
Basically, I want to find out if there are ways of using ANY of these otherwise-stationary devices that have Bluetooth radios as Bluetooth Beacons.
So, I modified the title of this thread to reflect that widening of my scope on this.
POINTS IN MY CURRENT TREND RESULTING FROM THE DISCUSSION BELOW
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Have the wall-mounted/stationary devices act as 'Receiving Stations’
As much as I was initially excited about the idea of the stationary devices acting as the Beacons, since the ‘Receiving Station’ seems to use more power than the simple Beacon device, it probably makes more sense to let the stationary devices do the heavy work since they will always be plugged into AC power anyway. -
Use a low-power Beacon device of some sort in my pocket as the transmitter
Again, since the Receiving Station end of this setup will no doubt use more power than a Beacon, just let the stationary devices be the Receiving Stations and get a cheapo Bluetooth Beacon to carry in my pocket.