[Noisebridge-discuss] [dorkbotsf-blabber] BlueGiga Experience

Thu Mar 20 03:43:26 UTC 2014

yes. actually. They accepted us. Our boards were already made and the chip
didn't come in time to change them. Our first app is on Android.

We didn't use LE in the past designs as it didn't have the bandwidth to let
images and animations through the wireless pipeline. However, I'm open to
new ideas and Broadcom's chip sounds interesting, can have a looky see.
Thanks - A

On Mon, Mar 17, 2014 at 2:32 PM, Tyler Freeman <tyler at odbol.com> wrote:

>  Hi Alison!
>
> Was wondering if you had an update on the cost of the MFI program? I was
> under the impression you had to include Apple's special authorization chip
> on your board to be part of it? Or have they changed that requirement?
>
> Also, just wanted to let anyone considering the BlueGiga BLE112 know:
> Broadcom has just come out with a Bluetooth LE module, the BCM20732S<http://community.broadcom.com/community/wiced-smart>,
> that's $10 less than the BlueGiga. Their SDK is still a little early in
> development, but the price difference was too good to pass up. We've
> switched to using it at DrumPants and it's actually faster than the
> BlueGiga according to our initial tests.
>
> Fun times!
>
> Tyler
>
>
> On 1/13/14 3:17 PM, Alison Lewis wrote:
>
> Hope this discussion helped some others. Thanks everyone!
>
>
> On Mon, Jan 13, 2014 at 3:14 PM, Alison Lewis <a at iheartswitch.com> wrote:
>
>> We're doing some heavy image loading and the BLE didn't have the
>> throughput we needed. But this may be solved later with some improved
>> engineering on the app side; I think a lot can be solved with clever
>> compression.
>>
>>  Here is an update on the MFI stuff. We got our license. Took a little
>> bit, but it was not as hard as you think. Yea! It was free so far and took
>> about 3 weeks! - Alison
>>
>>
>>
>> On Thu, Jan 2, 2014 at 9:58 PM, Tyler Freeman <tyler at odbol.com> wrote:
>>
>>>  Coming in to this rather late, but depending on your needs, you should
>>> definitely consider going with Bluetooth LE. It doesn't have as much
>>> throughput, but is actually faster at connecting and sending small packets
>>> of data (the whole connect/send/disconnect process takes about 3ms,
>>> compared to 200-500ms on classic Bluetooth).
>>>
>>> I'd recommend the BlueGiga BLE112: it offers a very robust connection to
>>> iOS and is really easy to set up. You can probably get it and have it
>>> working in iOS within a day (compared to MFI certification process which
>>> can take months and $$$$$).
>>>
>>> Of course, if you're trying to stream lots of data like a video or audio
>>> stream, BLE is not for you.
>>>
>>> -Tyelr
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On 12/20/13 2:40 PM, Anders Nelson wrote:
>>>
>>> Derp, I forgot to mention everything MFI requires a considerable
>>> investment (time or money) in firmware. Microchip Technology offers a stack
>>> here:
>>>
>>>
>>> http://www.microchip.com/pagehandler/en-us/technology/smartphoneaccessory/tools/home.html
>>>
>>>  It provides an excellent API and is the lowest cost option you'll
>>> likely find.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Anders Nelson
>>>
>>> +1 (517) 775-6129 <%2B1%20%28517%29%20775-6129>
>>>
>>> www.erogear.com
>>>
>>>
>>> On Fri, Dec 20, 2013 at 2:37 PM, Anders Nelson <
>>> anders.k.nelson at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hi Alison,
>>>>
>>>>  I handled the MFI program at my previous job, so here's how it works:
>>>>
>>>>  -Some MFI-enabled radio manufacturers embed the Apple-specific
>>>> authentication chip into their module and I believe you can buy said module
>>>> without having to go through Apple's MFI certification.
>>>>
>>>>  -In order to use any IAP commands outside of simple remote controls
>>>> (play/pause/prev/next/etc.) your hardware accessory must have an MFI
>>>> authentication chip onboard.
>>>>
>>>>  -Bluetooth classic and dock connector communication (via IAP or the
>>>> accessory framework) both require an MFI chip. BTLE does *not* require
>>>> an MFI chip.
>>>>
>>>>  -Bluetooth classic communication is relatively fast so I've heard.
>>>> The dock connector can only push 5-7kB per second.
>>>>
>>>>  I suggest using BTLE to get around the fruity bits.
>>>>
>>>>  =]
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Anders Nelson
>>>>
>>>> +1 (517) 775-6129 <%2B1%20%28517%29%20775-6129>
>>>>
>>>> www.erogear.com
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Fri, Dec 20, 2013 at 1:09 PM, Alison Lewis <a at iheartswitch.com>wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Thanks Eden. Thanks thats only on LE. We've got an old chip. Good info
>>>>> for the future!!! - A
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>  On Fri, Dec 20, 2013 at 12:12 PM, Eden Sherry <e at eden2.com> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> There are no Apple restrictions on the type of BLE devices apps can
>>>>>> connect to, and no Apple certification to go through.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> If you are having issues seeing or connecting to your device, it is a
>>>>>> problem with the device itself or your iOS code.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> LightBlue is a useful app to sanity-check on the phone side. If your
>>>>>> device is advertising correctly, it should appear in that app.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Eden
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> > On Dec 20, 2013, at 12:00 PM, Alison Lewis <a at iheartswitch.com>
>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>> >
>>>>>>   > Hi guys/gals,
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> > Anyone with BlueGiga experience and connecting through iOS devices?
>>>>>> We have a BlueGiga and no Apple activation chip. Have some questions,
>>>>>> here's the first two:
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> > Does the company who put on a BlueGiga chip need some sort of apple
>>>>>> chip too?
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> > Does the company who put on the BlueGiga chip need to go through
>>>>>> the MFI program? How fast can you get through it?
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> > Is there any work around this issue that people have dealt with
>>>>>> before?
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> > Love to talk to someone that's been through this.
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> > Gracias!   - Alison
>>>>>> >
>>>>>>   > ----------
>>>>>> >
>>>>>> > dorkbot: people doing strange things with electricity
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