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The Bluetooth technology is one of the finest inventions by the mankind that made short-range wireless data transmission automatic, affordable and accessible. But on the flip side, the high power consumption of Bluetooth in Android and other standalone devices has always been a cause of concern.
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The evolution of the Bluetooth Low Energy technology
In the year 2010, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology (or Bluetooth Smart) shot to popularity because of the inherent challenges that traditional Bluetooth LE based technology development posed. Introduced in the Bluetooth 4.0 version, BLE transmits data wirelessly over short distances by relatively consuming lesser energy. The reason for less energy consumption is that BLE periodically transmits minimal amount of data in the form of packets over a short distance.
#Tidbit 1
Results suggest that the life span of a #BLE device powered by a coin cell battery can extend upto 14yrs. https://t.co/CiT6kiupVK
— Contus (@contus) November 17, 2015
How Bluetooth LE powered devices work?
BLE powered devices typically assume two roles namely the master and the slave. The peripheral device or the slave transmits information and the central device or the master receives the information. In a typical real life scenario, the BLE beacons are the peripherals, which keep on transmitting data in the form of packets so as to broadcast its presence. While the Smartphone, which acts as a central device, receives the data when it comes in close contact with the beacons and performs the intended action.
Redefining connectivity & transforming businesses with BLE mobile app development
If Mobile apps made our lives easy, then BLE-powered android & ios mobile apps development has made our lives smart. When these apps are used in tandem with BLE enabled devices, the final outcome is something phenomenal. Let us see what they are:
iBeacons
Introduced by Apple, iBeacon is just a small device operating on BLE. These devices typically transmit data. When the user’s iPhone comes in close proximity with the iBeacon, the BLE app installed in the iPhone listens to the signal and executes the prescribed action.
Beacons normally transmit location related information to your mobile app. For instance, when a customer with a BLE mobile app enabled device walks into a store with beacon system, he/she will be greted with a notification that greets or offers an ongoing deal.Need we say more about the scope for iBeacon app development for Android and iOS devices in the coming years.
#Tidbit 2
#iBeacons will influence $4Bn worth of US retail sales & the number is predicted to grow tenfold in 2016. https://t.co/CiT6kiupVK
— Contus (@contus) November 18, 2015
Wearable Technology
Wearable technology has created a sensation and is posing a grave threat to smartphone’s dominance. As per this technology, the BLE and a sensor are integrated to a wearable device such as a watch, wristband, glasses and so on. These devices transmit information wireless to your BLE mobile app.
In real life, a wearable device such as an activity tracker when attached to your body, tracks the pulse rate, blood pressure and other health related information and sends it to your BLE mobile app. There are many such applications of wearable devices. At present fitness app and healthcare industries make the best use of wearable technology.
#Tidbit 3
Gartner predicts that in 2016 the #wearable market will reach $10 billion. https://t.co/CiT6kiupVK
— Contus (@contus) November 19, 2015
Internet of Things (IOT)
Internet of things is a sensational technology that empowers devices to communicate with each other without any human intervention. For instance, IoT enables users to switch off lights or set up home surveillance from a remote location using a BLE-powered Android mobile app.
IoT app development play a vital role in simplifying lives that revolves around smartphones enabled with BLE technology. From automated door locking to communicating with smart appliances, there is unlimited potential for IoT in daily human life.
#Tidbit 4
Gartner estimates that in 2020 the revenue generated by #IoT product & service suppliers will surpass $300 billion. https://t.co/CiT6kiupVK
— Contus (@contus) November 20, 2015
Industry Sectors employing BLE mobile apps
Not only established industries, but also industries that are on the brink of collapse have started embracing the BLE mobile app technology as a part of their revival strategy. Here are some of the industries that have been successfully using the BLE technology:
Limitations of BLE mobile apps
- As BLE sends information in the form of short packets, large amount of data cannot be sent to your mobile apps.
- An iBeacon using Bluetooth LE technology, sometimes take time to detect the BLE mobile app that is moving away from it.
- BLE mobile apps are vulnerable against security attacks.
Some of the high profile BLE mobile apps delivered by Contus
Contus is a front-runner in BLE mobile apps development for automobile, healthcare, fitness, hospitality and many other major industries. A brief summary of some of the BLE mobile apps that Contus has developed is as below:
V.ALRT app for safeguarding human life
Industry: Healthcare
This app has been built using the BLE technology and works in tandem with wearable device. The wearable device is typically a pendant worn by the user. The pendant, which has BLE integrated to it is wirelessly connected with the V.ALRT app in the smartphone. In case of any emergencies, the user needs to tap the pendant and instantly an alert notification is sent from the app to 3 phone contacts that have been predefined by the user. If the user’s phone has GPS installed then even the location details are sent to the contacts.
Rewardinator app to keep pub goers engaged
Industry: Hospitality
Rewardinator was developed to transform the image of Landsdowne Pub, Boston’s Century old leading pub chain among the present day pub goers. Hence, many customer engaging features were incorporated in to this app. One of the crucial features was Location Based Services, which is based on BLE technology. Pub goers that have installed this app receive notifications related to the pub’s location, offers and coupons when they are geographically close to the pub. This feature happened to spike the interest in customers and within a year’s time Landsdowne pub witnessed a twofold increase in their customer base.
The list does not end here. There are many such BLE mobile apps, which we had built for our clients. With new technologies coming every now and then, going the BLE way could certainly reap rich dividends for your business.
We are excited to build a phenomenal BLE mobile app for your business
So going by your post it suggests that Bluetooth LE mobile apps work best in communion with iBeacons & wearable technology?
Hello Melinda,
Yes exactly.
I prefer to build a Bluetooth touch screen and connect with my smartphone. Could you say something about the apps that can be controlled using Bluetooth device?
Any BLE app that you create can be controlled. However, it is tricky to control apps that are pre-built on phone.
I do some customization in my bluetooth low energy app, is it possible?
Definitely. Any Bluetooth LE app can be customized infinitely to meet customer requirements. At Contus, we do provide our customers with enhancements or perfection projects for already existing mobile apps. We have already completed few Bluetooth LE apps successfully. We will be able to assist you for any Bluetooth LE customization.
Although Bluetooth low energy conserves energy it is not really suitable for longer distance communication. So if that gets better, it could prove to be a game changer for Bluetooth LE mobile apps.
Hello Clay,
I do agree. But no technology is perfect. Just like you even I am looking forward to refinements in the BLE technology.
It’s 2.4GHz and similar to WiFi. For longer distances you’ll need totally different technology. LoRA for example, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LPWAN, if you necessarily need something new. Just plain 3G/4G would be long-distance enough for most people.
What is the point in building Bluetooth mobile apps when the distance coverage is small?
Hello Henry,
That should not be the reason to turn aside BLE enabled mobile apps. Retail outlets have been using them successfully. Distance is an issue at the moment but I am quite sure it will be resolved over a period of time. Earlier Bluetooth was criticized for heavy power consumption and BLE has resolved it. Similarly I am sure the distance issue will be resolved.
I want to develop a app like fitbit. basically a wearable technology based fitness app to monitor and track health conditions. Would you suggest the suitable profiles?
Bluetooth SIG has defined specification of profiles based on different use cases (like transmission, connection establishments etc., ) that could help the technology be appropriate to specific needs. For health care the following could be good match
BCS (Body Composition Service)
CSCP (Cycling Speed and Cadence Profile)
CPP (Cycling Power Profile)
HRP (Heart Rate Profile)
LNP (Location and Navigation Profile)
RSCP (Running Speed and Cadence Profile)
WSP (Weight Scale Profile)
I need to develop Bluetooth LE device for my organization, how much is cost?
Hi! We cannot provide an estimate for the development service without having an outline of the project requirements. Depending on the requirement it could be based on per hour basis or charged as a project. Why don’t you drop us a mail to us. We’ll take things up from there.
Hello Vignesh,
I find mobile app development blog on google and your blog appear into google first page and i click above link than i redirect to your blog this is really nice blog related Bluetooth Technologies and you have mention good tips.
Can you develop car remote key using bluetooth low energy method?
Of course, yes. In fact we developed a BLE based remote app for India’s most selling SUVs – Mahindra Scorpio, XUV,(http://www.contus.com/case-study/mahindra-scorpio.php) etc. It is very well possible to integrate the remote key to the a BLE app for ease of access.
Why is Bluetooth LE so hyped? I don’t see much worth in it.
Bluetooth LE has opened up tremendous opportunities for expanding the use of IoT. It is expected to have cleared 50% of the problem that former technology suffered due to high power consumption.
Agreed. Bluetooth consumes low power and hence is proving to be useful.
Bluetooth LE not only consumes less power but compared to Bluetooth BR/EDR is also built on an entirely different platform using Generic Attributes (GATT). Bluetooth LE can be used to optimized for any scenario where appliances need to be connected to smartphones and mobile devices easily.
Are Bluetooth Smart devices and Bluetooth Smart Ready devices one and the same?
Essentially,Both are two separate mediums belonging to the same technology. Bluetooth Smart devices support only Bluetooth LE while Bluetooth Smart Ready devices supports both traditional Bluetooth as well as Bluetooth BLE. If you want to create Bluetooth LE app that supports that both traditional and BLE technology, free feel to contact us at bd@contus.in.
Is it possible for two connected (BLE) devices to receive a third Bluetooth signal that triggers something?
Yes, can take role of both central and peripheral BLE device. The BT spec does not prohibit taking many roles at the same time.
Is it possible to make specific electronic appliances work with a bluetooth remote like capability?
Mobile app development for Bluetooth enabled devices is possible and in fact, is a happening trend. Check out ‘Blue Sense’ a Bluetooth LE based automobile app which we perfected for Mahindra SUVs here.
How much is ble developer cost?
Hi. An actual cost cannot be committed until we can arrive at a common ground on the project requirements. However, we would like to inform you that we charge for your projects in two modes: as an independent project or by allotting a developer to the project. The rates differ for each mode. If you wish for further information drop us an inquiry at bd@contus.in.
is there any API’s you built for bluetooth smart?
No. We are yet to build any standard APIs for bluetooth smart. We develop tailor made APIs as per client preferences. As a result all out APIs created until now are customized for specific client requirements. There is no one size fits all setup with us for Bluetooth smart. However, our breadth of experience and resources do make us capable of building APIs for bluetooth smart.
I have been experimenting with BLE enabled devices in the recent days. Planning to integrate it with my retail store app to push deals to customers when they come near my store. Any inputs?
Building iBeacon apps is definitely a great way to boost traffic to your store – both online and offline stores. You are in the right way and I urge you to work further to get a BLE enabled app for your store. In case you need professional help, feel free to get in touch with us at bd@contus.in
Along with that you should also add those deals on your website and deploy an EddyStone beacon at your store with this url. Then you would get more customers as people without your retail app would also be able to see the EddyStone url.
To test your EddyStone beacon you can use the following app or Physical web enabled Chrome browser
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fruitmobile.bluetoothradar.trial
Very informative!!! I’m planning to add information in detail about EddyStone beacon in this article. Thanks for your inputs mate!