Say goodbye to your 30 pins

Say goodbye to your 30 pins(blog.punchthroughdesign.com)

2 points by cfinger 14 years ago | 2 comments

mattbauer 14 years ago |

I would add that Bluetooth Low Energy isn't totally free. Somewhere in your cost you have FCC/IC/CE testing, Bluetooth licensing/testing/certification, possible software stack cost and more expensive components (radio, antenna, etc). You also have a larger power requirement as low energy isn't as low as UART. I won't give specific numbers here as I cant't legally, but the cost difference is probably a wash. That's assuming your doing the radio layout and not using a module. Apple's move to wireless is definitely for their sake. I could also see an argument made that because of the possible extra costs for doing Blouetooth Low Energy (chips, testing, power, RF design, etc) you may see less accessories for a while.

In any case I think you're right that the tell tale signs are there.

cfinger 14 years ago | |

The move to wireless is one part Apple's sake, and one part for users (no parts left over for developers, unfortunately). People tend to favor wireless accessories and associate a higher value with them. In some cases it just makes more sense- people want to use an accessory without handing over their iPhone (I'm looking at you, speaker docks)

The cost may be a wash, but it really does level the playing field.