Google rolls out Eddystone, an open-source iBeacon rival

Apple's iBeacons are about to face a new wave of competition. Google just unveiled a new platform for bluetooth beacons, along with a new set of tools for developers who want to build apps on top of the service See also: Will Apple's iBeacon Change the Way We Shop? BLE (bluetooth low energy) beacons are small battery-powered devices that use bluetooth technology to trigger actions when a compatible smartphone or tablet is nearby. Retailers, for example, often use beacons to notify customers abou...