I think iBeacon is Apples response to NFC. NFC was poorly executed from the beginning. Google didn't push it hard, and Samsung implemented it wholeheartedly with gimmicky features like file transfer. No major retailer was ever involved that I or anyone I know care about. The most I saw NFC being used for was Samsung bus stop ads. What Apple has in it's hand and what Google is trying so hard to get is 500 million user accounts with CC information already entered via its app and music stores. The payment information is what the companies have a hard time getting. Wallet and Checkout never blossomed and all those reasons are why NFC is so anemic right now.

Also, NFC technology is a little clunky with 'turning on yet another protocol, setting up incoming connections, "it didn't work try again.", etc, etc'. The iPhone is the phone of the masses because they simplified or removed protocols like removable Li-ion, SD, USB, and NFC. The only protocols that remain are the most branded, and the most functional. (They are still working to perfect Siri :)

Developing well established existing technologies that people and phones are already used to (bluetooth) is key to Apple's strategy. NFC was DOA simply because Samsung has a hard time with implementation [ie: eye tracking, tv voice commands, and hand commands].

Hmm.. Let me name a few big retailers that uses NFC

Macys Peets Coffee Walgreen

Both Peets and Macys deliberately placed labels by their cashier that reads: "pay with Google Wallet"

I don't know how Samsung's NFC implementation works, but the only correct way to use NFC or Bluetooth Low Energy is to exchange a session key, and then use WiFi for the actual data transfer. NFC and Bluetooth LE have way too low a data rate to be useful for anything else. (Well, I guess it's OK for syncing my step count from my FitBit.)

Actually, this makes me wonder why anyone bothered with NFC or Bluetooth LE for file transfer, etc., when WiFi Direct is just as good.

In android, only things like links or contacts are sent directly through NFC. For large files, it uses bluetooth or WiFi direct. The use case is really good though, if you want to transfer a file, you just hold up your phone, touch the screen, and away it goes. All the bluetooth and WiFi setup steps are hidden (but to be honest, bluetooth in android is a bit dodgy. You can't even send arbitrary files without special programs).

Can't Bluetooth LE "upgrade" the connection to full speed?

Also, since I'm asking: Does anyone know if my Bluetooth-LE-supporting HTC One will consume very little battery if Bluetooth is turned on? I have an inkling that it will need to keep advertising Bluetooth proper, so it will use as much battery as Bluetooth always has.

No. Bluetooth and Bluetooth LE are distinct, incompatible protocols.

That's sort of what it does. NFC is the initiator, Bluetooth is the transfer protocol. It's in the AOSP code and is straight forward.