Geek's Code Corner

A Short Introduction Web Bluetooth is a a new technology that connects the Web with the Internet of Things. Web Bluetooth is so new, it’s still being built and prototyped! But of course, that doesn’t mean we can’t play with it… Essentially, Web Bluetooth lets you control any Bluetooth Low Energy device (smart home appliances, health accessories like heart rate or glucose monitors, temperature sensors, etc.) directly from your PC or smart phone, without having to install an app first. Web Bluetooth will eventually enable developers to build one solution that will work on all platforms, including both mobile and desktop, which means lower development costs, more open source control interfaces for various physical products, and more innovation. Evenings are best spent with fine wine, fine company, and Web Bluetooth In this post I will explain the basics of Web Bluetooth by building a demo web app that controls the smart bulb that I reversed engineered in the previous post. In addition, I’ll explore how you can extend this app to become a Progressive Web App, which is an exciting new approach that we’ll go into later in the post. I will assume for this tutorial you have basic familiarity with Read more…

In the 1990s, the world was on the cusp of a wireless revolution. The rise of mobile phones, laptops, and personal digital assistants (PDAs) had created a demand for a technology that could connect these devices without the need for cables. This was the genesis of Bluetooth, a wireless personal area network (PAN) technology that has since become ubiquitous in modern life. The Conceptual Phase (1994-1997) In 1994, a team of engineers at Intel, led by Dr. Jaap Haartsen, began exploring the concept of a wireless technology that could connect devices over short distances. They were joined by engineers from IBM, Toshiba, and Nokia, and together they formed the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG). The name “Bluetooth” was chosen in honor of a 10th-century Danish king, Harald Blåtand, who united warring factions in Denmark – a fitting moniker for a technology that aimed to unite disparate devices. The First Specification (1998) In 1998, the Bluetooth SIG released the first public specification, version 1.0. This initial release defined the core principles of Bluetooth, including the use of radio frequency (RF) signals to transmit data between devices, and the concept of device discovery and pairing. The specification also outlined the various profiles, Read more…

Smart cards have become an indispensable part of our daily lives, used in various applications such as finance, transportation, and identity verification. At the heart of smart card technology lies the Secure Element (SE) and the 7816 protocol, which together form the foundation of security and reliability. In this blog post, we will delve into the history, application scenarios, technical details, and implementation methods of SE and 7816 protocol. Secure Element (SE) Definition A Secure Element (SE) is a microprocessor chip specifically designed for security applications, used in smart cards, mobile devices, and other electronic devices. The primary function of an SE is to provide secure storage, computation, and encryption services, protecting sensitive user information from unauthorized access or leakage. History The history of SE dates back to the 1980s, when smart cards were first emerging, and there was a need for a secure microprocessor to protect user information. As smart card technology advanced, SEs evolved to become more secure, faster, and reliable. Application Scenarios The application scenarios of SEs are diverse and widespread, including: Smart cards: SEs are the core component of smart cards, responsible for storing and processing user information.Mobile devices: SEs are used to protect user information Read more…