April 2015 Summaries

The text discusses a tutorial focused on building a geolocation-based application using HTML5, Google Maps API, and PubNub for real-time data streaming, specifically aimed at enhancing ride-sharing services by addressing the technological aspects rather than business implications. It provides a step-by-step guide on setting up the application, which includes displaying geolocation data on a map, establishing a default location using HTML5 geolocation features, and integrating real-time functionalities through PubNub by subscribing to a channel to receive and display coordinate information. The tutorial also covers how to make the map interactive by centering it on received coordinates and drawing flight paths to track movement history, highlighting the potential of combining geolocation and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. The tutorial emphasizes the ease of transforming web applications into mobile applications and offers downloadable source code, while also noting that the tutorial's code has been deprecated with an updated version available.

The blog post outlines a project that demonstrates how to receive and display real-time geolocation data using HTML5 and the Mapbox API, with a focus on solving traffic congestion issues like those faced by Uber and Boston. It details the use of PubNub for real-time data streaming and Bootstrap for styling, while providing a step-by-step guide to setting up a default location, initializing PubNub, and integrating with the Mapbox API to create a dynamic map that updates with each incoming message. The project includes displaying a marker on the map and tracking its movement with a trailing polyline, offering insights into how such a system could be applied to public transportation without managing complex IoT data communications. The entry also mentions the potential for converting web applications into mobile apps and hints at a follow-up project using the Google Maps API for similar functionality.

The blog post details a process for creating a real-time data visualization application using NVD3 with AngularJS to track the profit earned by drivers. It explains how to set up the application using tools like HAML for HTML structure, D3 and NVD3 for graphing, Angular for views and controllers, and PubNub for real-time communication. The application is designed to display bullet charts that fill in as drivers complete routes, showcasing minimum, average, and maximum earnings, with specific setup instructions for dependencies and JavaScript implementation. PubNub's messaging service is integrated to update the charts dynamically, and a simple JavaScript file is used to simulate message sending for testing purposes. The post provides guidance on running the graph by using either a Python SimpleHTTPServer or directly opening the HTML file in a web browser to visualize the data as messages are sent.

In this blog post, the process of graphing real-time temperature and humidity data using the Tessel Climate module, AngularJS, NVD3 library, and PubNub is explored, building on a previous tutorial about collecting and publishing such data. The tutorial guides users through setting up an HTML file with necessary libraries to visualize the data, using AngularJS to create an application that subscribes to a PubNub channel named "tesselclimate" for real-time climate readings. These readings are graphically represented on a line graph, with temperature and humidity plotted against time using NVD3. Users are encouraged to interact with the sensor to observe changes in the graph, illustrating the dynamic capabilities of Internet of Things (IoT) applications.

The blog post details the integration of a Tessel Climate Sensor with the PubNub real-time library to transmit temperature and humidity data over WiFi using a Tessel board, a JavaScript-powered microcontroller. It explains the setup process, including installing Node.js, Tessel, and PubNub libraries, connecting to WiFi, and ensuring compatibility with specific climate modules like si-7020 and si-7005. The post provides guidance on writing JavaScript to control the Tessel, initiating the PubNub service with unique pub/sub keys, and setting up an interval to read and publish climate data every twenty seconds, while handling potential errors. This setup allows users to monitor and regulate environmental factors effectively, and the upcoming Part Two promises to showcase the visualization of the collected data on a live-updating chart.

Anmol Agrawal, a UX/UI designer and full-stack developer, shares his journey in building an earthquake warning system inspired by the 2011 Japan tsunami. Initially unaware of how to construct such a system, Agrawal began by sourcing seismic data from meteorological websites, specifically for India, but faced challenges due to a lack of real-time data APIs. Motivated by the effectiveness of a similar system in California, which provided warnings seconds before an earthquake, Agrawal decided to replicate it using littleBits, Ruby, and PubNub. His final approach involved setting up a circuit with an LED as a warning signal, utilizing the Dino gem for hardware integration, and configuring PubNub to handle message publishing and subscribing. The system continuously monitors seismic activity and triggers an alert when the magnitude surpasses a specified threshold. Agrawal's project culminated in a comprehensive earthquake warning and monitoring system, highlighting the potential for technology to save lives.

Arduino offers a wide range of Atmel-powered boards suited for various projects, highlighted on Arduino Day. The Arduino Uno, a popular choice, is based on the ATmega328 MCU and features 14 digital I/O pins, while the Arduino Leonardo utilizes the ATmega32U4 for built-in USB communication. The Arduino Due, the first with a 32-bit ARM core, boasts 54 digital I/O pins and runs at 3.3V. The Arduino Yún combines an ATmega32U4 with an Atheros AR9331 for Linux-based networking capabilities, and the Arduino Micro, developed with Adafruit, is suited for breadboard use. The Arduino Mega (2560) supports extensive connections with 54 digital I/O pins, while the Mini, Nano, and Pro Mini offer compact alternatives for space-constrained projects. The Arduino Fio is designed for wireless applications, and the Arduino Zero, a joint effort by Atmel and Arduino, provides a 32-bit extension with advanced debugging features. Additionally, the Arduino AtHeart program allows products with Arduino-supported processors to showcase their connection to the platform, with examples like the littleBits Arduino Module enhancing its versatility.

Anmol Agrawal, a UX/UI and Interaction Designer from India, discusses his blog series "RubyBits," which aims to teach hardware programming and the Internet of Things (IoT) using a modular design approach with Ruby. Inspired by the simplicity and modularity of LEGOs, Anmol advocates for breaking down complex problems into manageable parts, citing his experiences with Ruby as a user-friendly, popular, and community-supported programming language. To facilitate rapid prototyping in IoT without the steep learning curve of traditional electronics, he utilizes LittleBits, which offers magnetically connected electronic modules. Additionally, Anmol integrates PubNub for real-time functionalities and highlights his plans to expand the series, encouraging community involvement and sharing ideas for future projects.

In the final part of a series on building an Android beacon, the article focuses on transforming an Android device, specifically those running Android L like Nexus 6 and Nexus 9, into a beacon emitter. It describes the technical steps to set up Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) advertising, including configuring AdvertiseData and AdvertiseSettings, and the creation of a byte array to store beacon identifiers and transmission power. The article also details the integration of PubNub to enable two-way communication, allowing the beacon to interact with devices detecting its signal by subscribing to a PubNub channel and triggering messages upon connection. Additionally, it provides guidance on acquiring necessary PubNub keys and implementing callbacks for various events, emphasizing the potential for smarter beacon applications by leveraging this technology.

The rapid advancement of microcontrollers, microcomputers, and DIY embedded boards is propelling the Internet of Things (IoT) into new realms, making it increasingly accessible and affordable. With leading microcontroller platforms like Arduino, Raspberry Pi, Texas Instruments' LaunchPad, and Tessel, users can explore a wide range of applications, from home automation to remote sensor monitoring, with the added benefit of decreasing costs. These platforms support various programming languages and development environments, making them ideal for both beginners and experienced developers. The integration of PubNub with these boards facilitates secure and reliable remote configuration, enabling users to connect devices over vast distances. In addition, the document highlights numerous tutorials and projects, showcasing the versatility of these platforms and encouraging creativity in IoT development.

Smart cities and homes are rapidly integrating Internet of Things (IoT) technology, with a projected rise from 1.1 billion Internet-enabled items in 2015 to 9.7 billion by 2020, according to a Gartner report. This growth is driven by the private sector's investment in IoT, which is transforming urban infrastructure and residential environments through smart buildings, roads, and public transport systems equipped with real-time sensor networks. Key applications include traffic management, smart parking, and the proliferation of smart home devices such as LED lighting, healthcare monitors, and security systems. The report highlights the significant economic potential for technology companies, predicting substantial revenue growth from IoT services and software, and noting that by 2020, the smart healthcare and fitness market is expected to reach nearly $38 billion.

The third part of the tutorial series on Tessel iBeacon technology focuses on building the emitter or publisher beacon, which emits a signal to a detector using Tessel's hardware and software setup. This tutorial details the process of configuring the Tessel board with the necessary BLE module and PubNub for establishing two-way communication between the iBeacon and the detecting user. Key steps include setting up the Tessel with required node modules, connecting to WiFi, and using JavaScript's PubNub module to manage communication channels. The beacon emits an AltBeacon signal, and the tutorial provides insights into advertising data construction and implementing PubNub for message exchanges. The guide emphasizes ensuring efficient code execution to prevent Tessel timeouts and explains subscribing to PubNub channels to facilitate real-time interaction with nearby users. This approach enhances the functionality of Tessel beacons by enabling them to communicate with users in proximity, demonstrating the potential of smart beacon technology.

LittleBits is an open-source library of electronic modules that can be easily snapped together with magnets, offering over 60 modules and more than 150,000 possible circuit combinations, making it a versatile tool for learning electronics and prototyping ideas without requiring programming skills. However, it can be integrated with Arduino and programming through platforms like Johnny-Five, a Node.js-based IoT and robotics framework. The text details a project where littleBits is used to connect Twitter's data stream to an LED module, causing it to blink when specific tweets are detected, utilizing tools such as the Arduino at Heart board and PubNub's Twitter Firehose. The process involves setting up the Arduino with StandardFirmata via the Arduino IDE, installing Johnny-Five and PubNub modules, and writing JavaScript code to manage the connections and data flow, with the complete source code available on GitHub for further exploration.

This blog post is part of a series exploring the development of real-time iBeacon and beacon technology using the Tessel platform, focusing on enhancing capabilities with bidirectional communication. The installment details how to use the Tessel board, a JavaScript-powered microcontroller, as both a detector and emitter beacon, leveraging the Tessel BLE Module for beacon technology. It explains the structure of beacon advertisements according to the Bluetooth v4 specification, including the composition of AD structures and the specific data formatting required for beacon communication, such as in the AltBeacon protocol. The post describes how beacons can approximate device distance by comparing RSSI values and provides guidance on implementing Tessel-based beacon functionality with JavaScript, highlighting the ease of advertising and detecting beacons without the need for complex SDKs.

In the second part of the tutorial series on building smarter Tessel iBeacon technology, the focus is on creating the detector application that identifies signals from an emitter using Tessel boards and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) modules. The tutorial explains how to set up the Tessel board with the necessary modules and how to use the PubNub JavaScript module to enable two-way communication between the iBeacon and users. It details the process of calculating the distance to a beacon using the AltBeacon algorithm and categorizing it into "Immediate," "Near," and "Far" proximity zones. The tutorial also covers scanning for BLE signals, filtering out non-beacon signals, and handling PubNub channel subscriptions to receive messages when close to a beacon. It emphasizes the importance of managing the Tessel's processing load to prevent timeouts and guides users on obtaining PubNub keys for channel communication.

The tutorial details the creation of a real-time map application using AngularJS and PubNub, building on a previous project that involved a broadcaster for pinpointing and streaming locations. This iteration involves developing a subscriber application that receives and displays location data updates in real-time, allowing users to see changes reflected instantaneously on a D3 globe projection. The process includes modifying the existing d3_orthographic_send.html file to integrate PubNub's Angular service, setting up an Angular module and controller, and using $rootScope to update the DOM with every received message. The application is designed to work with a sender and receiver open in separate browser tabs, demonstrating the seamless real-time update of coordinates, and showcasing potential applications for live logistics data or interactive map-based games.