Chrome for Android gets support for pushing URLs by beacons

Google is going to implement its ‘Physical Web’ in the Chrome browser for Android. From version 49 of the browser, which is currently in beta, the browser can receive signals via bluetooth from beacons that can push URLs.

The technology makes it possible for objects that contain a beacon to send URLs and other information to the Chrome browser for Android. Developers can push websites through what Google calls the “Physical Web,” by using an Eddystone beacon. Eddystone is Google’s open beacon format.

When a user walks past a beacon for the first time, he or she will receive a notification with which the ‘Physical Web’ can be switched on. Later, when the user is near a beacon again, they can see a list of URLs broadcast in the vicinity by pressing a notification.

Google gives restaurants as an example of places that could take advantage of the technology. For example, customers can be sent a link with which they can join a digital queue. After that, the people can get a notification that it is their turn through the same site. Another option is, for example, paying at parking meters via websites.

The “Physical Web” was already available for Chrome for iOS, but there was a separate widget that had to be opened specifically. The technology is not yet widely used, but during CES 2016, for example, 1500 beacons were placed that sent information as maps to iOS devices.