These are implemented by my custom Application class “GyboApplication.java”. The AltBeacon API itself is a library which takes care of background launching and provides a number of interfaces to support call backs relating to beacon detection.
Bluesoleil 10 vs compare review plus#
My application consists of a custom Application class and Activity classes for each of the two screens-the main exhibit information screen and the beacon event logging screen, plus a number of other supporting Java classes. For my purposes, I chose to use Ranging so I could trigger actions when at a certain estimated distance from a beacon. “Ranging” allows you to keep track of your distance from a defined set of beacons. It’s a fairly binary concept-you’re within the region or you’re not. Monitoring generates events whenever the application finds itself within range of a defined set of beacons known as a “region”. The AltBeacon API supports both “Monitoring” and “Ranging”. If they opt to launch the application, it opens with the exhibit information screen visible and populated with details of the exhibit associated with the nearest beacon.
Bluesoleil 10 vs compare review android#
If it’s not running in foreground, a standard Android notification is generated and the user can choose to tap it and launch the application or ignore it. If the application is in foreground when the user needs to be informed about an exhibit they are nearest to, the exhibit information screen is updated. The third shot shows the log screen which is accessible via the Android overflow menu. The screens show information about an exhibit together with a photograph. The first two screen shots are of the main exhibit information screen. Finally, to satisfy my own curiosity, I wanted to be able to see lower level beacon-related events in a system log.īefore we proceed and look at how the application was developed and how the AltBeacon API helped me, here are some screen shots of the finished application. I also wanted to make sure I didn’t annoy the user by repeatedly notifying them about the same exhibit. I would also expect the beacons to be in range and therefore detected from much further away. This should only happen when the user was sufficiently close to the beacon-2 metres or closer. I wanted the application to detect beacons whilst running silently in the background and provide a screen with some information about the exhibit associated with the nearest beacon. Beacons are distributed around a fictitious museum and positioned by the most important exhibits so that armed with the application, the museum visitor won’t miss any of the best items on display. The application is a simple “museum guide” which informs the user about the nearest exhibit to them as they explore. Rather than just read about the AltBeacon format and the AltBeacon Android API I decided to write an application that uses it. I find the best way to learn about something is to roll up your sleeves and dive right in.