This document discusses using mobile apps to interface with and control internet of things (IoT) devices. It describes disconnected and connected devices and how Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and other standards enable connectivity. Custom logic is needed on both devices to add value. Apps provide a functional and engaging user interface on phones and leverage their capabilities. Successful IoT apps are simple, fast, and display formatted data and alerts. Performance monitoring tools like Crittercism help diagnose and fix app issues to ensure a good user experience. Thorough testing of device and app interactions is also emphasized.

1. Wearables, Things & Apps
Chris Beauchamp
Developer @WhitewaterLabs
Evangelist @Crittercism
@cjbeauchamp
Using apps to help users experience IOT devices
bit.ly/CritterDevTest

2. The Disconnected Thing
• Disconnected from all other
things
• Limited functionality
– Data collection
• Wearables, sensors
– User control
• Automation, functional controls
• Some things have WiFi or connections
• Large, expensive, not always feasible

3. The Connected Thing
• Connected to many other things
– Wifi, Bluetooth, NFC, etc

4. Making the connection
• BLE enables data transfer to/from phone
• NFC (Near Field Communication)
• Wired options (plugging into USB port)
• Headphone jacks

5. Interfacing with the thing
• We have two devices and a data
connection between them, what next?
• Need to install our own logic on both
devices to add value

6. Custom Logic :: Thing
• Keep the logic lightweight
• Resource constrained
– CPU
– Memory
– Storage
– Battery
• Keep the thing doing what it does best
• Data transmission

7. Custom Logic :: Hub [Phone]
• Receive data from the thing
• Do… something… with it
– Display data
– Communicate with services
– Store information
– Configuration

8. Why an app?
• Functional
– Apps and phones are a powerful and flexible
combination – leverage them!
• CPU, memory, push, GPS, large batteries
• Engage users
– Always one touch away
– Larger interface than most wearables
and things
• [Relatively] easy to develop

9. So. Many. Apps.
There’s an app for everything… there needs
to be an app for YOUR thing!

10. Apple Watch
BREAKING NEWS: APPLE
LAUNCHING SMART WATCH

11. Apple Watch
• Requires the presence of an iPhone
– GPS/Cell Data/Wifi
– Battery life
• Multiple types of application interfaces
– App, Glance and Notification
– Allows various use cases & variable
investment
• Easy-to-use APIs for interface between
watch & app / device

12. Apple Watch

13. Communicating with the iPhone

14. Responding to the watch request

15. Learn More
Full Demo (w/ Source Code) available at:
bit.ly/CritterDevTest

16. General Structure
=> Hub
IOT Device

17. Phone App Use Cases (pt1)
• Thing generates data – show it!
• Managing and connecting user accounts
– Somebody’s gotta do it
• Thing configuration and updates
– Push changes to keep the thing current

18. Phone App Use Cases (pt2)
• Use the phone to upload and download
data to and from the cloud
– Data processing, sharing, analysis, etc
– Offloads CPU cycles, memory, battery from
the thing
– Use this data to ‘teach’ the device about the
user so it’s customized to them

19. Use Case :: SPG (Starwood Hotels)
• Get reservation info
• Check in
• Unlock door

20. Use Case :: American Airlines
• Flight Status
• Check in
• Boarding pass

21. Use Case :: Nike Running
• Start/manage workout
• Check times/status
• Easy access

22. What do these apps have in common?
Form
– Users should love using your app
• A lot of engineers here… hug your designers!
– Keep it simple
• You have lots of cool content and functionality…
highlight it!
• Don’t make the user do too much – or squint!

23. • Make smart use of
space
• Swipe instead of a
button? Pinch
instead of a slider?
• Only show what’s
necessary!
not actual size*

24. What do these apps have in common?
Function
– Quick, easy-to-use
information
– Alerts and
notifications keep
interactions fast
– Formatted data
allows for easy
access

25. What do these apps have in common?
Leverage Data
– What do users really want to see/do?
– Can’t add it all, so use data tools to see
what’s most popular

26. What do these apps have in common?
Performance
How they interact with
the outside world

27. What happens when things break?

28. Performance Monitoring
• What happens if your deployed app…
– Breaks on a user?
– Runs slow?
– Drops a connection with your thing?
– Crashes?
• Left in the dark unless the user tells you
– Bad reviews are no good!

29. App Store Feedback & Analysis

30. SDK for App Performance

31. Crittercism
• Remotely diagnose issues happening with
your app
• Make it more stable, faster, more reliable
• Provide your users with a great user
experience

32. Crittercism – Crash Reporting

33. Crittercism – Crash Reporting

34. Crittercism + Apple Watch
SDK automatically
monitors connections

35. Crittercism – Transaction Monitoring

36. Crittercism – Transaction Monitoring

37. Make it work!
• Connectivity between devices is key
– Have a solid layer to manage exceptions,
errors and interference or device malfunctions
• Test, test, test, test, sleep, test
– Devices, settings, configurations, everything

38. Breakdown
• Leverage smartphones and apps – they’re
powerful!
• Don’t forget about design
• Test until you can’t test anymore – and then test!
• Leverage tools to help you get feedback and fix
issues

39. Finishing Up
http://crittercism.com
bit.ly/CritterDevTest
Chris Beauchamp
Developer @WhitewaterLabs
Evangelist @Crittercism
@cjbeauchamp