# François Baldassari from Memfault on IoT Observability

- Show: [The Pragmatic Embedded Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast)
- Published: 2023-02-15
- Length: 53m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2023-02-15-francois-baldassari-from-memfault-on-iot-observability
- Listen: https://agileembeddedpodcast.com/episodes/francois-baldassari-memfault-iot-observability-KXAW2dwj

## Summary

François Baldassari, founder and CEO of Memfault, discusses the evolution of embedded software and the critical need for IoT observability tools. He recounts his experience at Pebble, where a lack of field data led to a severe firmware update bug affecting Android users, which inspired the creation of Memfault's crash reporting and OTA solutions. Baldassari argues that modern embedded teams must adopt agile practices, such as decoupling software from hardware via emulators and implementing 'day 0 updates,' to iterate effectively. He highlights persistent industry challenges, including C language memory management issues, code space constraints, and the emerging crisis of embedded security and privacy.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2023-02-15-francois-baldassari-from-memfault-on-iot-observability#t=0) Introduction: François Baldassari and Memfault
- [2:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2023-02-15-francois-baldassari-from-memfault-on-iot-observability#t=129) The Evolution of Embedded Software and Compute
- [14:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2023-02-15-francois-baldassari-from-memfault-on-iot-observability#t=864) The Power of Python and GDB Automation
- [19:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2023-02-15-francois-baldassari-from-memfault-on-iot-observability#t=1160) Pebble War Story: The Android Firmware Update Bug
- [28:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2023-02-15-francois-baldassari-from-memfault-on-iot-observability#t=1690) Agile Embedded: Decoupling and Day 0 Updates
- [35:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2023-02-15-francois-baldassari-from-memfault-on-iot-observability#t=2156) Industry Trends: Software Organizations and DevOps
- [42:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2023-02-15-francois-baldassari-from-memfault-on-iot-observability#t=2533) Memfault's Internal Practices: Shape Up and Testing
- [45:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2023-02-15-francois-baldassari-from-memfault-on-iot-observability#t=2758) Persistent Challenges: C Bugs, Code Space, and Security

## Topics

- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Security & privacy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/security-and-privacy)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Memfault (company)
- Pebble (company)
- Oculus (company)
- STM32 (chip)
- ESP32 (chip)
- NXP (company)
- HockeyApp (product)
- Renode (tool)
- QEMU (tool)
- CodeChecker (tool)
- NetRise (company)
- Edge Impulse (company)
- TensorFlow Lite Micro (product)
- MicroPython (product)
- JerryScript (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [The Importance of Device Management in IoT Solutions | Memfault's François Baldassari](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2022-04-05-the-importance-of-device-management-in-iot-solutions-memfaults-francois-baldassa) (IoT For All Podcast)
- [390: Irresponsible At the Time](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-10-21-390-irresponsible-at-the-time) (Embedded.fm)
- [#019: END-OF-YEAR CELEBRATION: Moments You Loved, Stories You Missed, and 2026 Predictions You Need](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/coredump-sessions/2025-12-11-019-end-of-year-celebration-moments-you-loved-stories-you-missed-and-2026-predic) (Coredump Sessions)
- [528: Goldfish Chunks](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2026-06-25-528-goldfish-chunks) (Embedded.fm)
- [395: I Can No Longer Play Ping Pong](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-12-10-395-i-can-no-longer-play-ping-pong) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

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