Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Mobile
  3. News

Chrome for Android can now receive alerts from nearby objects using the Physical Web

By
Introduction to the Physical Web (100 days of Google Dev)
Apple users have enjoyed the Physical Web for a while now, and it’s finally coming to Android. Google is adding support to its Chrome browser for Android starting with beta version 49.
Recommended Videos

What is the Physical Web

The Physical Web allows users to discover URLs based on their surroundings. For example, you might see a movie poster and wonder when the next showing is. You could open your phone and search for the movie or download an app to find the listings, but there is a much easier way. That movie poster could have a Bluetooth beacon in it that would automatically alert your phone with the URL for updated show times.

Related

Other examples would be a parking meter providing you with the appropriate link to pay through the cloud or for finding out when the next bus is going to come by.

What are beacons?

Beacons are small transmitters that can send information via Bluetooth LE. They typically transmit information every second whether or not other smartphones are nearby.

Google has its own open-source cross-platform technology called Eddystone, while Apple utilizes its own iBeacon technology. Both work the same way, but the advantage to Eddystone is that it works with both iOS and Android. Apple’s iBeacon only works with iOS devices.

How it works

Assuming you have Chrome for Android, when you walk by a beacon for the first time, you’ll receive a notification asking you to enable the Physical Web. Once enabled, you’ll receive non-vibrating notifications every time you’re near a beacon. These notifications will consist of related URLs that you can open in Chrome. Your phone must be out of your pocket and awake for it to scan for beacons and receive notifications.

Chrome users on iOS already have this same ability via the Today widget, which shows an on-demand list of web content relevant to their surroundings. Google launched support for the Physical Web in Chrome for iOS last July.

It should be noted that whether you’re using an iPhone or an Android device, Chrome for Android will only recognize beacons using the Eddystone standard. Apple already has its own Core Location APIs that are compatible with iBeacon and work with iOS. There are a number of apps already available in the App Store.

The Physical Web will be available in the beta version of Chrome for Android starting with version 49. Google did say that it will become more widely available soon.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Robert Nazarian
Robert Nazarian
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Robert Nazarian became a technology enthusiast when his parents bought him a Radio Shack TRS-80 Color. Now his biggest…
Huawei’s gorgeous Pura 70 phones just got expanded availability
Huawei Pura 70 pink, green, white, and black colors.

Huawei Pura 70 Huawei

After being announced for China in mid-April, the Huawei Pura 70 series is now confirmed for the EU market. Those in the European market can expect to preorder the Pura 70, Pura 70 Pro, and the top-tier Pura 70 Ultra starting May 2 for 999 euros, 1,199 euros, and 1,499 euros, respectively. This pricing is in line with what we saw in China, with the Ultra coming in at 9,999 yuan ($1,400) and the base Pura 70 at 5,499 yuan ($760).

Read more
The Honor Magic 6 RSR is my new favorite Android phone of 2024
Someone holding the Honor Magic 6 RSR outside.

There's no doubt that 2024 has already been an exciting year for Android phones. Samsung wowed us with the Galaxy S24 series at the beginning of the year, the OnePlus 12 and 12R are two of the best phones available right now, and Google is expected to impress later this month with the Google Pixel 8a.

But for the last few weeks, I haven't been thinking about any of those phones. Why? Because I've been using the Honor Magic 6 RSR. After launching in China this past March, the Magic 6 RSR is now available in the EU, and that's allowed more folks than ever to get their hands on the phone. And that's great, because the Honor Magic 6 RSR has quickly become my new favorite Android phone of 2024.
It has some of 2024's best smartphone hardware

Read more
5 phones you should buy instead of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus
A Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus laying on concrete.

Looking to upgrade your phone this year? You may be considering Samsung’s new Galaxy S24 Plus, which is the middle child of the S24 lineup. Given how solid the S24 Plus is, that's not a bad idea at all.

But is the Galaxy S24 Plus the best phone you can get? Maybe not, as there are plenty of other great choices that you can choose from as well. Here are some of the best alternatives to the Galaxy S24 Plus that you should take a look at before spending your hard-earned dollars.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Read more