July 2015 Summaries

JavaScript is continuously evolving, and the introduction of ECMAScript 6 (ES6) marks a significant update to the language, being the first major revision since 2009. Babel, a JavaScript compiler, plays a crucial role in facilitating this transition by allowing developers to write ES6 syntax without compatibility issues. During a talk at the San Francisco JavaScript meetup, Sebastian McKenzie and James Kyle provided an overview of Babel, discussing its architecture, and the future of JavaScript standards. They highlighted the impending completion and release of ES6, which promises a host of new APIs and syntax enhancements that will further advance the language.

Apple is rumored to be entering the automobile industry, following the trend of tech companies like Google and Tesla that are innovating the sector. Currently, Apple's involvement in connected car technology is primarily through Apple CarPlay, which integrates iOS functionality into car dashboards, focusing on safety and compatibility with existing apps. While the platform encourages developers to adapt existing applications for safer driving, Apple has yet to make its CarPlay SDK publicly accessible. Looking ahead, there is speculation that Apple might enhance integration with car hardware, possibly adding sensors and connectivity features as part of the broader Internet of Things movement. Meanwhile, platforms like PubNub are enabling developers to create real-time connected car applications, suggesting a future where vehicles are more integrated into digital ecosystems.

PubNub and Microchip's collaboration facilitates the creation of real-time, cloud-connected embedded systems using the Microchip PIC32 line of microcontrollers and the PubNub Data Stream Network. This setup allows for bidirectional data streaming and real-time communication between devices, enabling applications such as remote device control, sensor data collection, and home automation. The tutorial provided demonstrates how to implement a project using the Microchip Ethernet Starter Kit to control LEDs via a PC or mobile device, utilizing the PubNub Developer Console for data streaming and visualization. The project involves setting up the hardware, installing necessary software like MPLAB X IDE and Harmony framework, and configuring PubNub libraries to enable communication between devices. PubNub's extensive SDK support ensures compatibility with various platforms, offering a flexible foundation for developing robust IoT applications.

The ESP8266 microcontroller, a cost-effective and powerful tool for IoT projects, is highlighted in this blog post through the creation of a basic IoT application using the ESP8266 Wi-Fi module. This project focuses on developing a real-time sensor node that reads a button and controls an LED based on data from a remote source. The ESP8266, often used as an external module with AT commands, is actually a programmable 32-bit MCU with a TCP stack, and can be programmed to function as a standalone, WiFi-enabled device. The project employs an ESP-01 module with custom firmware written in C, using the Espressif SDK on Debian Linux and utilizing PubNub for real-time communication. Through a detailed circuit design, the microcontroller is set up on a breadboard with various components, while the blog also discusses programming intricacies and operational modes, emphasizing the need for 3.3V power signals. The tutorial concludes by demonstrating the use of a PubNub library for bidirectional messaging and highlights the potential for customizing the library to meet specific needs.

EON is an open-source JavaScript framework designed to facilitate the visualization of IoT sensor readings in real-time by creating interactive charts, maps, and dashboards. The tutorial guides users through setting up a Raspberry Pi Model B with a DHT22 sensor to collect temperature and humidity data, which is then streamed to a live-updating user interface using PubNub. It involves hardware assembly with components like jumper wires, a breadboard, and a resistor, followed by software installation and configuration, including Python, pip, PubNub, and the Adafruit DHT library. Users initialize a PubNub object with unique publish and subscribe keys to stream data continuously, visualizing it on a line graph for temperature and a gauge chart for humidity using EON's capabilities. The tutorial emphasizes ease of implementation with EON's diverse chart options, which can be customized and are compatible with web browsers, enhancing the potential for various embedded applications.

This blog post provides a detailed guide on building a real-time music collaboration application using JavaScript, PubNub, and Parse, allowing multiple users to create and interact with songs simultaneously. The application demonstrates how each keystroke is reflected across all browsers in real-time, using the PubNub SDK for seamless collaboration and the Parse API to store and retrieve songs for later playback. The tutorial thoroughly explains setting up the user interface with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files, integrating sound loops, and implementing button functionalities such as record, play, and stop. The guide emphasizes that this approach can be adapted for other real-time collaborative applications, such as multi-user text editors or design apps, highlighting the versatility of the demonstrated techniques.

The text discusses the importance of message security and sender verification in mobile and web chat applications, emphasizing the use of digital signatures to prevent impersonation and ensure message integrity. It introduces a tutorial on building chat user identification through digital signature message verification, which involves creating unique identifiers for senders and employing asymmetric cryptography to authenticate messages. The tutorial outlines a process where users are issued server-generated key pairs, and public keys are shared via a secure read-only channel, while private keys remain confidential. It explains how to attach digital signatures to messages, using algorithms like ECC or RSA, to verify sender identity and message integrity. Furthermore, the text highlights the necessity of implementing security measures such as Access Control Layers and leveraging encryption standards like AES 256-bit and TLS to protect chat communications.

The tutorial provides a step-by-step guide to integrating PubNub's features, such as Storage & Playback and Presence, into a Swift application using the newly released iOS SDK. It begins by instructing users on creating a new project in Xcode, setting up CocoaPods for dependency management, and incorporating a bridging header to connect Swift with the PubNub iOS SDK. The post explains how to implement basic publish/subscribe messaging and further explores advanced functionalities like tracking user presence and retrieving historical data streams. By running the project and utilizing the PubNub Dev Console, users can test and verify the integration, allowing real-time data management and user status tracking within their applications.

PubNub has announced a $20 million Series C funding round led by Sapphire Ventures, with additional investments from Scale Venture Partners and Relay Ventures, to enhance its Data Stream Network, which facilitates real-time communication for web and mobile apps, as well as IoT devices. Since its inception in 2010, PubNub has been integral in various industries, including home automation, financial trading, and connected cars, reflecting the growing demand for real-time, synchronous applications across sectors. The company plans to use the new funding to accelerate global growth, expand sales and marketing efforts, and introduce improvements and new features to its network, maintaining a strong focus on engineering to continually advance its capabilities. With over half of its workforce composed of engineers, PubNub remains committed to empowering customers and the developer community by enabling innovative uses of its technology, which is underscored by the enthusiastic support and feedback from its users.

The tutorial provides a step-by-step guide to quickly integrating real-time functionality into iOS applications using the newly redesigned PubNub iOS SDK Version 4.0, which has been simplified and streamlined by utilizing new Apple features. It begins with instructions on creating a new project in Xcode, setting the language to Swift, and targeting iPhone devices. The guide then explains how to install CocoaPods for managing dependencies, create an Objective-C bridging header to connect the Swift app with the pods, and configure the project for PubNub integration. It concludes with setting up basic publish/subscribe capabilities, allowing users to verify their setup through the PubNub Dev Console and observe real-time data exchange between the console and Xcode.