Physical Web

The Physical Web is an open-source project that lets physical objects and locations broadcast web URLs via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons. When you walk near a beacon-equipped object—like a parking meter, museum exhibit, or bus stop—your phone can detect and display its associated web page. You simply tap to open the link in your browser, no app installation required. It turns everyday items into interactive endpoints.

It works using beacons that support the Eddystone protocol, a specification developed by Google for broadcasting URLs. Compatible services on your device, like Google Chrome or Android's Nearby Notifications, scan for these signals and show you a list of nearby URLs after routing them through a privacy proxy. You choose which link to open, whether it's for paying a parking fee, reading exhibit details, or checking bus schedules.

This tool is ideal for museums, retail stores, public transit systems, and event venues that want to offer contextual information to visitors. It also helps developers and businesses create lightweight, app-free interactions with physical spaces. If you've ever wanted to quickly access info from a poster or product without scanning a QR code, the Physical Web offers a more flexible approach.