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

- Show: [IoT For All Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast)
- Published: 2026-03-17
- Length: 20m
- Episode: 395
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2026-03-17-rethinking-bluetooth-for-iot-simplebles-kevin-dewald-internet-of-things-podcast
- Listen: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/iot-for-all/episodes/Rethinking-Bluetooth-for-IoT--SimpleBLEs-Kevin-Dewald--Internet-of-Things-Podcast-e3gitdu

## Summary

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.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2026-03-17-rethinking-bluetooth-for-iot-simplebles-kevin-dewald-internet-of-things-podcast#t=0) Introduction: Kevin Dewald and The California Open Source Company
- [1:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2026-03-17-rethinking-bluetooth-for-iot-simplebles-kevin-dewald-internet-of-things-podcast#t=60) The Origin of SimpleBLE and Desktop Bluetooth Gaps
- [2:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2026-03-17-rethinking-bluetooth-for-iot-simplebles-kevin-dewald-internet-of-things-podcast#t=164) Why Mobile Dominated Bluetooth and Desktop Lagged
- [5:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2026-03-17-rethinking-bluetooth-for-iot-simplebles-kevin-dewald-internet-of-things-podcast#t=338) Technical Challenges: Linux, Windows, and Dongle Failures
- [10:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2026-03-17-rethinking-bluetooth-for-iot-simplebles-kevin-dewald-internet-of-things-podcast#t=643) The Economics of Commercial Open Source
- [15:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2026-03-17-rethinking-bluetooth-for-iot-simplebles-kevin-dewald-internet-of-things-podcast#t=912) Future Opportunities: Centralized IoT and AI Agents
- [17:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2026-03-17-rethinking-bluetooth-for-iot-simplebles-kevin-dewald-internet-of-things-podcast#t=1035) Critique of Vendor Lock-in and Ecosystem Fragmentation

## Topics

- [Wireless & RF](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/wireless-and-rf)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)
- [Open-source hardware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/open-source-hardware)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- SimpleBLE (product)
- The California Open Source Company (company)
- Neuralink (company)
- MK1 (company)
- AMD (company)
- UC Berkeley (other)
- StEP program (other)
- StepUp Ventures (company)
- Android (other)
- iOS (other)
- macOS (other)
- Linux (other)
- Windows (other)
- bluesy (other)
- Windows RT (other)
- HCI standard (other)
- Rust (other)
- Home Assistant (other)
- Google Home (other)
- Alexa (other)
- Apple (company)
- Linksys (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [345: Do What Apple Says](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-09-24-345-do-what-apple-says) (Embedded.fm)
- [#001: The future of Bluetooth connectivity with Blecon Founder, Simon Ford](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/coredump-sessions/2024-11-27-001-the-future-of-bluetooth-connectivity-with-blecon-founder-simon-ford) (Coredump Sessions)
- [A Meeting Of The Davids](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-08-06-a-meeting-of-the-davids) (The Amp Hour)
- [The EEVblog Sparkgap Generator](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-11-20-the-eevblog-sparkgap-generator) (The Amp Hour)
- [62: Costs a Penny to Go to the Bathroom (Repeat)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-10-19-62-costs-a-penny-to-go-to-the-bathroom-repeat) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

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