# The Spark Gap - Episode 8

- Show: [The Spark Gap](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap)
- Published: 2014-08-05
- Length: 46m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-08-05-the-spark-gap-episode-8
- Listen: https://thesparkgap.net/the-spark-gap-episode-8

## Summary

Jacob Rosenthal, an engineering consultant working with companies like Octoblue, explains the current state of the Internet of Things, noting it is often a rebranding of existing connectivity technologies. He discusses the trade-offs between Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Low Energy, highlighting issues with power consumption, security, and proprietary firmware stacks on platforms like Spark, Electric Imp, and Pinocchio. The conversation covers the shift of intelligence from embedded firmware to cloud-based JavaScript, raising concerns about privacy, data ownership, and the replacement of embedded engineers by web developers.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-08-05-the-spark-gap-episode-8#t=0) Introduction: Defining the Internet of Things
- [6:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-08-05-the-spark-gap-episode-8#t=383) Jacob Rosenthal and Octoblue's Open Source IoT Platform
- [10:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-08-05-the-spark-gap-episode-8#t=614) Hardware Platform Comparison: Spark, CC3000, and Electric Imp
- [17:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-08-05-the-spark-gap-episode-8#t=1050) Choosing a Starting Platform: Spark vs. Arduino Pricing
- [25:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-08-05-the-spark-gap-episode-8#t=1513) Bluetooth Low Energy: Punch Through Bean and Firmware Limitations
- [33:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-08-05-the-spark-gap-episode-8#t=2010) The Shift to Cloud Intelligence and Privacy Concerns
- [40:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-08-05-the-spark-gap-episode-8#t=2424) Wearables, Ant Protocol, and the Future of IoT

## Topics

- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)
- [Wireless & RF](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/wireless-and-rf)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Security & privacy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/security-and-privacy)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Octoblue (company)
- Spark (product)
- Electric Imp (product)
- Pinocchio (product)
- Punch Through (company)
- Light Blue Bean (product)
- Nest (product)
- Fermata (tool)
- CC3000 (chip)
- Arduino (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [The Endless Y2K](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-10-23-the-endless-y2k) (The Amp Hour)
- [An Interview With Brandon Harris - Impish Internet Iamatology](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-06-11-an-interview-with-brandon-harris-impish-internet-iamatology) (The Amp Hour)
- [Using Bluetooth Low Energy for IoT Connectivity | Blecon's Simon Ford | Internet of Things Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2024-08-20-using-bluetooth-low-energy-for-iot-connectivity-blecons-simon-ford-internet-of-t) (IoT For All Podcast)
- [Gotta Update My Dog](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-04-29-gotta-update-my-dog) (The Amp Hour)
- [Stick 'Em On Whales](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-12-28-stick-em-on-whales) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-08-05-the-spark-gap-episode-8. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to The Spark Gap.