# Ep 341: Qualcomm Owns Arduino, Steppers Still Dominate 3D Printing, and Google Controls Your Apps

- Show: [Hackaday Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast)
- Published: 2025-10-10
- Length: 1h 06m
- Episode: 341
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-10-10-ep-341-qualcomm-owns-arduino-steppers-still-dominate-3d-printing-and-google-cont
- Listen: https://hackaday.com/2025/10/10/hackaday-podcast-episode-341-qualcomm-owns-arduino-steppers-still-dominate-3d-printing-and-google-controls-your-apps/

## Summary

Elliot Williams and Jenny List discuss Qualcomm's acquisition of Arduino and the launch of the Arduino Uno Q, a dual-processor Linux/microcontroller board that risks repeating the failures of the Intel Edison and Arduino Yun due to software complexity. They analyze Google's new policy restricting Android sideloading to registered developers, noting the anti-competitive impact on open-source mobile ecosystems like F-Droid. The hosts also explore why stepper motors remain dominant in 3D printing due to cost, despite the potential benefits of brushless DC motors in high-end designs like the MakerBot Cupcake and modern CoreXY printers.

## Chapters

- [0:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-10-10-ep-341-qualcomm-owns-arduino-steppers-still-dominate-3d-printing-and-google-cont#t=2) Introduction: Hackaday Supercon, Jawncon, and Robert Murray-Smith
- [4:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-10-10-ep-341-qualcomm-owns-arduino-steppers-still-dominate-3d-printing-and-google-cont#t=280) What's That Sound: Textile Tool Mystery
- [5:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-10-10-ep-341-qualcomm-owns-arduino-steppers-still-dominate-3d-printing-and-google-cont#t=356) Qualcomm Acquires Arduino and the Arduino Uno Q Board
- [17:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-10-10-ep-341-qualcomm-owns-arduino-steppers-still-dominate-3d-printing-and-google-cont#t=1022) Google Restricts Android Sideloading and Developer Registration
- [20:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-10-10-ep-341-qualcomm-owns-arduino-steppers-still-dominate-3d-printing-and-google-cont#t=1216) Algorithmic Art: Slime Mold and Particle Algorithms
- [28:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-10-10-ep-341-qualcomm-owns-arduino-steppers-still-dominate-3d-printing-and-google-cont#t=1708) Custom LCDs and Membrane Keypads Manufacturing
- [30:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-10-10-ep-341-qualcomm-owns-arduino-steppers-still-dominate-3d-printing-and-google-cont#t=1824) Stepper Motors vs. Brushless DC Motors in 3D Printing
- [41:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-10-10-ep-341-qualcomm-owns-arduino-steppers-still-dominate-3d-printing-and-google-cont#t=2495) Commodore 64 SID Chip Tuning and PAL/NTSC Clocks
- [46:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-10-10-ep-341-qualcomm-owns-arduino-steppers-still-dominate-3d-printing-and-google-cont#t=2780) Quick Hacks: Stradex, C Programming, Schlieren Imaging
- [50:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-10-10-ep-341-qualcomm-owns-arduino-steppers-still-dominate-3d-printing-and-google-cont#t=3010) Quick Hacks: DVD Logo, ESP32 SPDIF, Tiny RV
- [53:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-10-10-ep-341-qualcomm-owns-arduino-steppers-still-dominate-3d-printing-and-google-cont#t=3210) Ask Hackaday: Why TTL is 5 Volts
- [59:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-10-10-ep-341-qualcomm-owns-arduino-steppers-still-dominate-3d-printing-and-google-cont#t=3540) Audio Distortion Measurement with HP Analyzer

## Topics

- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)
- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Test & measurement](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/test-and-measurement)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Qualcomm (company)
- Arduino (company)
- Arduino Uno Q (product)
- Intel Edison (product)
- Raspberry Pi (product)
- F-Droid (product)
- MakerBot Cupcake (product)
- Bamboo Labs (company)
- Commodore 64 (product)
- ESP32 (chip)
- Hewlett Packard (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Welding with an HDMI Cable](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2025-10-28-welding-with-an-hdmi-cable) (The Amp Hour)
- [The Spark Gap - Episode 2](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-06-23-the-spark-gap-episode-2) (The Spark Gap)
- [Ardui...no Dave This Week?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2010-10-07-ardui-no-dave-this-week) (The Amp Hour)
- [An Interview with Jeff Keyzer and Jeremy Blum - Audacious Arduino Arguments](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-05-17-an-interview-with-jeff-keyzer-and-jeremy-blum-audacious-arduino-arguments) (The Amp Hour)
- [A Meeting Of The Davids](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-08-06-a-meeting-of-the-davids) (The Amp Hour)

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