The SimpleLink Bluetooth low energy SensorTag celebrates 50,000 development kits sold and releases open source Android SensorTag project at git.ti.com
The SimpleLink™ Bluetooth® low energy SensorTag was immediately embraced by developers when it was launched in November 2012 as part of TI’s wireless connectivity portfolio. After great reviews, among others in Make Magazine, it won the EE Times / EDN ACE award for best development kit, and was announced as the first Bluetooth Smart accessory to support Android in July 2013.
For those not familiar with the SensorTag, it is a little red kit housing the SimpleLink Bluetooth low energy CC2541 wireless microcontroller and six sensors that allows developers, DIYers and makers to easily get a Bluetooth low energy app and demo up and running in under five minutes.
One of the great advantages of the SensorTag is that we have been able to add new features in the two years since the initial launch. Through updates of the SensorTag app we have added advanced features like configurable sensor update intervals, over-the-air upgrades, broadcast mode, and most recently support for iBeacon technology.
The goal of the SensorTag was simply to get it in the hands of the developers and let their imagination decide what ideas it could be used for. I am especially excited about all the Kickstarter and Indigogo projects that are based on the SensorTag. By launching source code and all design files in the TI Design library we make it easy for anyone with a bright idea to use the SensorTag as starting point for their own designs.
And now with the SensorTag launch on Google Play and release of the complete Android source code on git.ti.com, we are making it easier for Android developers to add support for the massive wave of Bluetooth Smart enabled Android-based mobile phone accessories. This open source project makes it easy to develop SensorTag apps, and also includes advanced features like Over-the-Air upgrades of firmware images.
I’m excited about what is to come with the SensorTag and the growing ecosystem of developers and makers who are truly making it their own. Add a comment below on what you used your SensorTag for – I love to hear how our little red kit is used.
