Hardware Podcasts

Rethinking Bluetooth for IoT | SimpleBLE's Kevin Dewald | Internet of Things Podcast

IoT For All Podcast · 17 Mar 2026 · 20m · Episode 395

What this episode covers

Kevin Dewald, founder of The California Open Source Company and creator of SimpleBLE, explains why desktop platforms have been neglected in Bluetooth IoT development compared to mobile. He details the technical complexities of implementing Bluetooth on Linux and Windows, highlighting how USB dongles often fail due to inconsistent firmware and OS limitations. Dewald also discusses the economics of commercial open source, arguing that monetizing tools like SimpleBLE ensures sustainable development and better support for enterprise clients.

Most relevant to

early-stage companies

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
The California Open Source Company, Neuralink, MK1, AMD, StepUp Ventures, Apple, Linksys
Products
SimpleBLE
Also
UC Berkeley, StEP program, Android, iOS, macOS, Linux, Windows, bluesy, Windows RT, HCI standard, Rust, Home Assistant, Google Home, Alexa

Related episodes from other shows

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Embedded.fm · 1h 11m

    345: Do What Apple Says

    Gretchen Walker, a mobile software engineer at PunchThrough, explains how to build iOS apps for Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) devices using Apple's CoreBluetooth framework. She details the necessity of using Swift, the challenges of Apple's strict App Store review process, and the opaque nature of iOS pairing and bonding mechanisms. Walker also discusses debugging tools like Xcode and TestFlight, and advises against cross-platform development due to significant differences between iOS and Android BLE implementations.

    Connected products & IoTEmbedded firmware
    9 chapters

  • Coredump Sessions · 1h 08m

    #001: The future of Bluetooth connectivity with Blecon Founder, Simon Ford

    Simon Ford, founder of Blecon, joins Memfault’s Chris Coleman and François Baldassari to discuss the evolution of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) from its Nokia origins to its current role in cloud-connected devices. The group analyzes key technical shifts like LE Audio, PAwR, and coded PHY, while debating the practical trade-offs of BLE for IoT, asset tracking, and audio compared to Wi-Fi, cellular, and UWB. They also cover the challenges of BLE interoperability, debugging connection issues in the wild, and the limited real-world adoption of Bluetooth Mesh.

    Wireless & RFDebugging & failure analysis
    8 chapters

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 10m

    A Meeting Of The Davids

    Dave Jones and David Ledger of EEVblog discuss the development of the EEVblog multimeter app, detailing the technical challenges of implementing Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) on Android and the decision to use the Mono framework for cross-platform compatibility. They also cover the resolution of the trademark dispute between Arduino founders Massimo Banzi and Federico Musto, news of Qualcomm's acquisition of NXP, and Samsung surpassing Intel in chip sales volume. The conversation concludes with a debate on the feasibility of autonomous vehicles and a tribute to analog guru Bob Pease.

    Embedded firmwareWireless & RF
    7 chapters

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 09m

    The EEVblog Sparkgap Generator

    Dave Jones of EEVblog and Chris Gammell of Contextual Electronics discuss the pitfalls of IoT white goods, illustrated by Jones's new Miele dishwasher, and explore local IoT solutions using MQTT and ESP8266. Jones provides an update on his upcoming multimeter Kickstarter, detailing the challenges of cross-platform app development, Bluetooth packet corruption, and the high costs of custom packaging and PCB revisions. The hosts also analyze the bankruptcy of TechShop, debating the viability of commercial makerspaces versus non-profit models, and critique a Shark Tank pitch for a barcode luggage tag to emphasize the importance of product-market fit.

    Validation & product-market fitCrowdfunding & preorders
    5 chapters

  • Embedded.fm · 1h 05m

    62: Costs a Penny to Go to the Bathroom (Repeat)

    Josh Bleecher Snyder, Director of Software Engineering at PayPal and co-founder of Card.io, discusses the development of PayPal Beacon, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) hardware device for contactless payments. He details the engineering challenges of building a secure, privacy-preserving BLE peripheral, the decision to use the Go programming language for its concurrency and tooling, and the complexities of cross-platform mobile development. Snyder also reflects on his experience founding Card.io, its acquisition by PayPal, and the transition from startup to enterprise engineering.

    Wireless & RFEmbedded firmware
    8 chapters

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by IoT For All Podcast. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.