Bluetooth LE is a fantastic technology for battery powered, Internet of Things devices. However, most dev kits require tethering to a smartphone, limiting the range and usefulness to only when the user is nearby.
Bluz is a new dev kit that solves this problem. By offering cellular and WiFi gateways, bluz can stay online at all times, even when there is no smartphone nearby. This allows the amazing power savings of BLE with the "always online" accessibility of a WiFi board.
Bluz can be controlled through a simple REST API, allowing hardware to be controlled as any other web service. It can also be programmed Arduino-style through an online Web IDE, and with full OTA updates of code in as little as 3-5 seconds with its unique, modularized firmware. Cloud connectivity is provided by Particle, meaning encryption and security are baked into the platform. Bluz is fully open source, allowing you to work with the top level API or the underlying Nordic SDK.
Bluz was successfully funded through a Kickstarter campaign in May 2015, raising over 300% of its goal. Bluz and its accessory shields are now shipping, you can learn more and purchase yours here: http://bluz.io/
