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

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. 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. 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. 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. 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. What’s happened? Apple Sports is getting more new features, including one which brings important fixtures and scores onto the home screen on your iPhone, iPad or Mac. Yes, Apple now offers widgets for its Sports app. Craig Mahonchak, head of product for sports at Apple, told me “widgets have been one of the most requested items”. Your iPhone may be looking a lot different today, especially if you didn’t update to iOS 26 and it automatically updated overnight.  From translucent effects to a more helpful menu, iOS 26 is the biggest update to the iPhone I can remember, and I’ve used every single version of Apple’s software since the first iPhone. The massive camera hump on the iPhone 17 Pro has proved to be a divisive design choice, but if you look at the Android ecosystem, a few brands have already attempted that look years ago. Xiaomi is among those names, and it seems the Chinese electronics giant is going back to its roots with a brilliant twist. What on Earth is this? Upgrade your lifestyleDigital Trends helps readers keep tabs on the fast-paced world of tech with all the latest news, fun product reviews, insightful editorials, and one-of-a-kind sneak peeks.