Apple's iBeacons goes 'Made for iPhone', and other news for Feb. 26, 2014<!--CONTENT START--><p></p>
<p><img data-credit="apple" data-mep="144893" src="
http://o.aolcdn.com/hss/storage/adam/71bdc7445dd38daef7d10e883fc5befc/ibeacon-131206.jpg" alt="" /></p>
<p>Apple has rolled iBeacons into its Made for iPhone (MFi) program. iBeacons are miniature Bluetooth transmitters that talk to Bluetooth 4.0 devices and provide micro-location data. iBeacons have a wide array of use, but currently they are most often found in retail stores and baseball parks.</p>
<p>By rolling iBeacons into the MFi program, Apple gains greater control over who can call what an iBeacon device. As
Beekn.net explains:</p>
<p>The move means that the iBeacon trademark, which has ended up being applied by the media to a whole slew of devices that act as beacons, will now be used with a bit more control from Cupertino.</p>
<p>As we've noted elsewhere, beacons that carry the iBeacon name are conforming to two things:</p>
<ul>
<li>They broadcast Bluetooth LE 'signals' in a way that conforms to the Apple standard for what those signals should contain</li>
<li>They have use of the iBeacon trademark</li>
</ul>
<p>But there's no particular restriction in place which makes an iBeacon incompatible with Android or other phones. So while a beacon might carry the iBeacon name, this simple means that it has access to the trademark and that it has been configured to work well with Apple devices.</p>
<p>Interested developers can go to their
MFi account and accept the new iBeacon NDA to begin using the trademark on their products.</p>
<p></p>
<p>In other news:</p>
<ul>
<li>Apple has added an
additional Apple TV channel in Sweden. The new channel is TV 4 Play and includes original programs, live broadcasting, and movies.</li>
<li>Apple has officially filed a
formal appeal of the ebooks antitrust ruling. The company has also asked the appellate court to suspend the work of the external antitrust compliance monitor assigned to Apple.</li>
<li>The FCC has launched a new ad-free
FCC Speed Test app that "accurately measures your mobile broadband performance and displays an in-depth view of its factors." The FCC says using it will "bring greater clarity and competition to the broadband service marketplace."</li>
<li>Candy Crush's developer has
withdrawn its controversial "candy" trademark application.</li>
</ul><p style="padding:5px;clear:both;">
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Apple's iBeacons goes 'Made for iPhone', and other news for Feb. 26, 2014
