Qualcomm Monday announced the availability of a far-reaching proximity technology similar to what's already been deployed by Apple and other retailers to reach out to customers at store locations.Chip-maker Qualcomm said it's offering two low-cost models of Gimbal proximity beacons that let retailers, stadium operators and transit providers wirelessly communicate with customers.Two small Gimbal transmitters work over Bluetooth Low Energy to send ads, offers and other information to customers as they arrive at a location.Last week, Apple started using a similar proximity technology, dubbed iBeacon, in its 254 U.S. stores. The Apple technology can send to iOS users messages about products, events and information tailored to where they are in a store.Users of iBeacon must have already downloaded an Apple Store app and have given Apple permission to send noti
