Classic is always in style, but with this new Android app, Bluetooth click is even more appealing. Wherever you see IoT mentioned, there’s probably mention of BLE behind the corner. Is it time to forget about Bluetooth classic?

Of course not. You should definitely stay in the loop and try to learn as much as you can about emerging technologies, nobody argues against it. But don’t let the new and shiny blind you. It’s just as important for developers to recognise occasions that call for a more conservative approach.

A BLE module may require only a coin cell battery to run, but it will drain more energy from you as a developer. If power consumption is not critical, classic bluetooth is much simpler to work with. Specifically, Bluetooth click has a familiar UART interface, an on-chip antenna, and a fully qualified 2.1/2.0/1.1 RN41 module with built-in firmware.

Also, consider that the majority of consumers still don’t have BLE-enabled smartphones. If you’re developing some sort of hardware that’s meant to connect with phones or tablets, Bluetooth classic is still a safer bet if you want a bigger pool of potential users.

To simplify development on the smartphone side, we developed an Android app that pairs with Bluetooth click. It’s just a simple interface with two switches for setting things on and off with a relay (our hardware setup is based on a clicker 2 for STM32 board and on a relay click). 

Examples are written for :
 - Clicker 2 Board for STM32 - STM32F407VG