Steve Kroop at Flytec <<info>>
writes:

Why has Flytec chosen Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy connection for the
SensBox? The normal Bluetooth connection to Apple devices can be used only if
you include an encryption chip in the hardware. Additionally, a conventional
Bluetooth device needs to undergo a lengthy and expensive approval process by
Apple that is only practical for devices with a much broader market.

Bluetooth Low Energy was created by a sub-group of
https://Bluetooth.org and all
major mobile phone manufacturers are participating and is intended for small
battery-powered external devices that produce relatively little data (i.e.,
music or video streaming is not possible and even larger data files cannot be
transferred). Examples of applications for BT4.0 LE are heart rate monitors,
medical devices such as blood pressure monitors, etc.

The term "Low Energy" refers to the reduced power requirement for the external
Bluetooth device. Flytec decided to chose this interface for the future because
BT4.0 LE is the only open and manufacturer-independent interface for mobile
phones and because of the reduced power requirements.

At the last Google I/O conference there was a rumor that Android will support
Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy quite soon (maybe August). This has now been confirmed
by Bluetooth.org (https://www.bluetooth.org/en-us/news-events/android).
This is good news and will open up new dimensions for the SensBox. This will
make it possible to write Android apps that support the SensBox as well as embed
the SensBox data into existing Android apps.

Android API 18 will then support all Android mobile phones which support dual
mode. With this long-anticipated decision by Google, the availability of Android
apps utilizing SensBox data will become reality. When you purchase your next
Android smart phone, check the specs to make certain that it says Dual Mode
Bluetooth or Bluetooth Smart Ready or similar. This will enable your phone to be
ready for countless applications with external small Bluetooth Low Energy
devices including the Flytec SensBox. If you are Android app developer, we would
like to help you to interface the SensBox into your new app:
<Info>.