Hardware interface and App SW development for Smart Phones

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the development of smartphone applications that interface with external hardware, such as data acquisition (DAQ) systems and infrared imaging devices. Participants explore the methods of connecting external hardware to smartphones, including USB and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), as well as the software environments suitable for such development.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether most external hardware modules for smartphone apps connect via the USB charger port or through BLE.
  • Another participant mentions an external hardware solution that adds infrared imaging capability to smartphones.
  • Development environments discussed include Xcode for iOS, Android Studio for Android, and the Processing IDE, which can be configured for Android. Pythonista is mentioned for iOS, though its capability to access external hardware is uncertain.
  • The IOIO card is introduced as a means to interface Android phones with hardware, with links to DIY parts sites for further exploration.
  • One participant shares their experience with Android Studio, noting issues with connecting their Samsung phone to a PC due to driver problems, which they believe were necessary for debugging.
  • Another participant provides a link to resources on the Android build process, mentioning Maven and Gradle as tools for managing dependencies in app development.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various viewpoints on the methods and tools for interfacing smartphones with external hardware, with no clear consensus on the best approach or development environment. Multiple competing views remain regarding the preferred connection methods and software tools.

Contextual Notes

Some limitations include uncertainty about the capabilities of certain software environments to access external hardware and the specific requirements for connecting devices, such as driver dependencies.

berkeman
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So the recent fun thread about Smart Phone uses:

https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/what-do-smart-phones-partially-replace.932077/

reminded me of several Apps I'd like to write that involve external hardware. Think DAQ or other types of external hardware. Do most external hardware modules for cellphone Apps interface through the phone's USB charger port? or do most interface via the BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) RF link?

Also, what are the best cellphone development software environments for accessing and using external hardware?

Thanks.
 
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Development environments are either Xcode for iOS or Android Studio for Android. However, the Processing IDE can be configured to compile for Android.

Alternatively, on iOS there’s pythonista for python programming although I don’t know if it can access external hardware.

There’s also the IOIO card for Android that can plug into an android phone and interface with hardware. You can find the cards on adafruit.commor sparkfun.com popular diy parts sites.

And of course you could interface your phone via wireless to a Raspberry pi and then to an arduino for fun.
 
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I have played with Android apps using Android Studio. I remember having some problems connecting my Samsung (android) phone to PC - cable part was easy, just the USB, but to my surprise I couldn't locate drivers. I think they were needed for debugging, I am not sure though.
 

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