Gone Mobile

117: Connectivity "Out in the Wild"

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The conversation revolves around the topic of connectivity in remote areas and the use of offline apps. The hosts discuss their experiences with limited connectivity while traveling and camping. They also touch on the evolution of GPS technology and the challenges of offline mapping. The conversation highlights the importance of offline functionality in apps and the limitations of current map providers. The conversation covers various topics related to maps, offline capabilities, and communication technologies. The main themes include different map providers, the challenges of offline maps, the use of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for communication, and the limitations of current location technologies. The conversation covers various topics related to offline functionality and Bluetooth technology. Allan discusses the importance of designing apps to work offline and the challenges that can arise when there is no internet connection. He also highlights the capabilities of Bluetooth 5 for data transfer and suggests using Bluetooth for offline communication when the internet is unavailable. The conversation touches on the concept of pause and resume for larger file transfers and the use of range requests in HTTP for resuming interrupted uploads. The hosts also share personal anecdotes about their experiences with slow internet connections and the use of download managers in the past.

Takeaways
  • Limited connectivity is still a common issue in remote areas, even with advancements in technology.
  • Offline functionality in apps is crucial for users who frequently find themselves without internet access.
  • GPS technology has come a long way, but some older devices still struggle with accuracy and reliability.
  • Map providers like Google and Apple lack robust APIs for developers to easily implement offline maps in their apps. There are several map providers available, including ArcGIS, Google Maps, Apple Maps, Mapbox, and OpenStreetMap.
  • Offline map capabilities are important for areas with limited internet coverage or for applications that require offline access to maps.
  • Mapbox offers its own map tiles and also allows users to plug in different tile providers.
  • OpenStreetMap is a community-driven project that provides up-to-date map data.
  • Tesla cars use a combination of OpenStreetMap data and vision-based systems for features like speed limits.
  • SVGs can be challenging to render and are not always suitable for offline use.
    • Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) can be used for offline communication, such as sending messages and images.
  • Location technologies like GPS and LTE have limitations in terms of accuracy and availability.
  • Ultra-wideband and other technologies are being explored for more precise location tracking.
  • The nearby API by Google and the Estimote beacons are examples of technologies that enable proximity-based communication. Designing apps to work offline is important for scenarios where there is no internet connection.
  • Bluetooth 5 can be used for data transfer even when the internet is unavailable.
  • Range requests in HTTP can be used to resume interrupted uploads.
  • Slow internet connections and the use of download managers were common challenges in the past.
  • Consider using Bluetooth for offline communication and file transfers in IoT devices.
    • People
    • Hosts: Jon Dick, Allan Ritchie
    • Audio Engineer: Jim Heath
      • Chapters
      • 00:00 Introduction and Discussion on Limited Connectivity
      • 02:59 The Evolution of GPS Technology
      • 08:00 Challenges with Offline Apps and Mapping
      • 20:44 Exploring Different Map Providers
      • 25:12 Mapbox Bindings and SVG Challenges
      • 33:22 Importance of Internet on a Plane
      • 36:02 Using Bluetooth Low Energy for Communication
      • 39:00 Building a BLE Chat App for Offline Communication
      • 41:23 Limitations of Location Technologies
      • 44:37 Designing Apps for Offline Functionality
      • 46:21 Resuming Interrupted Uploads with Range Requests
      • 57:42 Challenges of Slow Internet Connections
      • 01:03:01 Using Bluetooth for Offline Communication in IoT Devices

        • Links:

        • YouTube Episode 117
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        Gone MobileBy Jonathan Dick, Allan Ritchie
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