{"id":6617,"date":"2015-07-16T16:30:47","date_gmt":"2015-07-16T16:30:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/passkit.com\/blog\/?p=6617"},"modified":"2024-10-14T19:06:54","modified_gmt":"2024-10-14T19:06:54","slug":"physical-web-and-why-you-should-care","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/passkit.com\/blog\/physical-web-and-why-you-should-care\/","title":{"rendered":"Physical Web And 1 Reason Why You Should Care"},"content":{"rendered":"

“Physical web does not ship yet. Nor is it a Google product.<\/em>” (Google)<\/p>\n

Physical web is not even a ‘thing’, and yet we can’t stop thing-king about it at PassKit. Despite it being around since Oct 2014<\/a>, the\u00a0recent Eddystone Beacon announcement<\/a>\u00a0has reinvigorated our interest. So what exactly is this catchy new\u00a0buzzword\u00a0and why should you care? Other than the logo looks\u00a0cool.<\/p>\n

\"Google<\/a>
Google Physical Web Logo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After all, buzzwords are built every day: Askhole<\/a>, Phubbing<\/a>, Afformium. See, there’s three more right there. Ok, so the last one I just made up by mashing affordable\u00a0and premium\u00a0together. Still, it proves my point.
\nWith so much talk around Beacons<\/a>, the Internet of Things<\/a> (IoT), mobile wallet marketing<\/a>, Apple Pay UK<\/a>…etc., what’s so special about Physical Web? And more to the point, why should\u00a0you care.
\nWell. There’s one solid reason\u00a0that’s really, really important.<\/p>\n

1) Physical Web Will Change Your\u00a0World: Literally, Physically, Mentally And More.<\/h2>\n
\"Google<\/a>
Google Physical Web – Artist’s Impression<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It All Starts With Apps:<\/h3>\n

Remember how everyone went crazy for Apps. Apple pretty much built their entire iPhone off them. They almost killed off Blackberry, or there lack off. And now there’s one for almost everything you can think\u00a0off. They literally made parody videos<\/a> because of the over-app-populous (another buzzword is born). And that’s where our story starts.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
The Road To Physical Web Starts With Apps<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Apps got too\u00a0big. They got boring. People literally made apps for everything, like fake fans and pant color detectors (using Touch ID).\u00a0Which lead to a lot of bloat. Those folders you see on your phone full of things you never open. We’ve all got them. And a while ago this led to\u00a0a transition into a critical\u00a0next step.<\/p>\n

Mobile Sites and Responsive UI\/UX:<\/h3>\n

Apps are expensive. They require maintenance, updates, and management, while a site can be built to last forever – unless of course\u00a0you forget to renew your domain name. In which case your site\u00a0will\u00a0inevitably end up as porn<\/a>. What’s more, apps take up space.
\nIn a world where (I hate to say this) we have a 16GB iPhone<\/a>, space is a premium. And you can trust that I know what I’m talking about when it comes to space, because I’ve lived in Hong Kong where a square foot can be\u00a0more expensive than the Gold Apple Watch<\/a>. Which is why companies are now considering responsive sites, and not apps. And not only\u00a0for of the above reasons.
\nResponsive web design does not\u00a0require multiple variations.<\/p>\n

“It works. Everywhere”<\/address>\n
(the Verge<\/a> commenting on their new 100% responsive site).\u00a0<\/address>\n
\u00a0<\/address>\n

When you build an app, you need to consider\u00a0every single\u00a0screen size. And there have been\u00a0a lot in just the last 7 years.<\/p>\n

\"Smartphone<\/a>
Smartphone screen sizes – 2008-2013<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

All of this adds up to\u00a0a lot of hassle. Not only that,\u00a0but at the end of the day when you’ve finally built every variation possible, you still have to get people\u00a0to download it. Sigh. Whereas a responsive site is just one thing, something that responds (it’s in the name) to whatever platform you view it on. It automatically recognizes and changes its appearance and your experience accordingly.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
The road to physical web is driven by responsive sites<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Most importantly, nothing needs to be done on the part of the user. There is no hassle. And it’s this that leads us to the second to last\u00a0step.<\/p>\n

The Internet of Things (IoT) Is Picking Up<\/b><\/h3>\n

Both apps and easy to view\/ use websites have\u00a0helped connectivity take off.\u00a0Which has led to even more so called ‘connected devices’ – a physical thing that’s connected to the internet in some way: a sports tracker, automatic mood light,\u00a0even this Facebook page like counter<\/a>\u00a0are part of the global IoT. But right now, IoT devices require apps to run. Something needs to be synced on your phone with the connected device, to keep it tracking. But all that is soon to change.
\nBecause as the desire to be more connected continues to grow, it brings the\u00a0Physical Web into fruition. Which leads us to our final step.<\/p>\n

Interaction Without The Need For An App<\/b><\/h3>\n

Imagine never needing an app again. All that space you can have to store those\u00a0cat photos<\/a>. Great. But wait. How?
\nIn Google’s own words “The number of smart devices is going to explode, and the assumption that each new device will require its own application just isn’t realistic.”\u00a0<\/em>And of course, they’re right. “We need a system that lets anyone interact with any device at any time.”<\/em> And that is what Physical\u00a0web promises to provide. Which means you can soon\u00a0do things that were previously\u00a0not possible with a dedicated app.
\nYou could soon develop things like:<\/p>\n