The Download: Moto G Gets Android 4.4.2, KitKat, in Record Time! And more.

We don’t know about you, but over the past few weeks we’ve had visions of KitKats dancing in our heads. We’re excited to tell you we’re starting to roll out Android 4.4.2, KitKat—the very latest version—TODAY on Moto G!

What better way to kick off The Download—a regular feature that gives you the scoop on the many software updates we are rapidly cranking out. In addition to the roll out of KitKat on Moto G, our software team has been busy as elves in a workshop shipping new features for you.

Here’s the latest Download, issue 1:

Android KitKat Comes to Moto G - Our KitKat family is expanding! When we launched Moto G last month, we committed to delivering Android, KitKat, to devices by early 2014. We are thrilled to start delivering on that promise early. Starting today, we are rolling out Android 4.4.2 to Moto G phones bought on Motorola.com or Amazon.com in the U.S. KitKat will come to other Moto G carriers and regions soon as well. This latest version of Android brings some cool new features, including printing emails and photos from your phone. Read our release notes for detailed information.

This update continues our effort to get our users the latest Android software as fast as humanly possible. We began by pushing KitKat out to Moto X users on Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, just weeks after Google announced the new OS—and our most recent expansion over the past few weeks includes Moto X on US Cellular and Sprint and DROID ULTRA, DROID MAXX, and DROID MINI. We also started to roll out the software in Brazil for retail devices. More carriers and regions will follow very soon.

For more information on KitKat and deployment on Motorola devices, check out our software upgrades page.

Enhanced Touchless Control - With our latest update to this feature, customers who use a device PIN to lock their phone can use Touchless Control without entering the PIN first. Don’t worry—no personal information is divulged without a PIN. And, you can also use your voice to enter your PIN. Go to the Google Play Store for more information.

Spreading Holiday Cheer - We’re getting into the holiday spirit! Turn your Moto X running KitKat off and on—and experience a little cheer with our new start-up animation. For those with a Moto G, download the Motorola Boot Services application from the Google Play Store to take part in the animated holiday tidings.

More Camera Goodness for Moto G and DROID - We’re taking the latest Camera features on Moto X on KitKat and making them available for Moto G, DROID MINI, DROID MAXX, and DROID ULTRA. This brings some enhancements photographers will love—such as Drag to Focus and Expose (manual exposure and focus with just a touch), locking exposure during Panoramic shots, and additional language support. Check out the Google Play Store for more information.

Improved Active Display - We’ve squashed some bugs! Active Display—battery-friendly notifications that fade in and out when the phone display is off—is now optimized for KitKat and works better than ever. It’s all part of our mission to listen to our users and iterate quickly. Go to the Google Play Store for more information.

More Kernel Sources! - Over the last few weeks, we released the Android 4.3, Jelly Bean kernel source for Moto G, and yesterday we released Android 4.4, KitKat kernel source for Moto X. Enjoy your custom ROMs!

The Download - Yeah, that is pretty recursive if you ask me. But our last big feature is a regular software blog which provides you with the latest on all the cool, shiny, new features and upgrades that are headed your way. Subscribe in the upper right column to stay up to date on the latest.

The last few months have been quite a wild ride. We are working hard to continually improve the experience on Motorola devices and look forward to hearing from you. Your feedback will be heard and acted on. Feel free to comment here or on our profiles on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook.

Posted by Punit Soni, Product Management

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Inventory Management and Stocktaking with Android

+TEC-IT published the new release of Rapid Inventory, the smart and efficient Android app for inventory control and stocktaking.

It's Smooth 

Rapid Inventory was optimized for fast, smooth and simple operation on smart phones and tablets. Item lists are build and managed in no time at all. SKU or item bar codes can be scanned with the built in camera or with external Bluetooth bar code scanners. Especially the integrated Bluetooth scanner support makes this app the ideal solution for business and industrial application areas.

Items may be labelled with any number of custom tags. This new feature allows users to organize and group items into categories while still maintaining a single item database. Items can be imported from or exported to external databases. Google Drive online spreadsheets, CSV (Microsoft Excel) and XML files are supported.

Using an external Bluetooth Barcode-Scanner with Rapid Inventory

Release Highlights

• Labels
  Tag items with an arbitrary number of custom labels.
• Item Filter
  Filter the item list by assigned labels.
• Quantity Management
  Item quantities can be incremented and decremented by any amount.
• Import/Export
  Improved import and export support for CSV, XML and Google Drive.
• Scanner Support
  Barcode scanning with with external Bluetooth scanners or the built-in camera scanner.

Available Versions

Rapid Inventory is available on Google play for free (for up to 100 items), as business version (manages up to 500 items) and finally as completely unlimited Enterprise version. Single licenses for the app can be purchased directly using Google play; discounted volume licenses are available exclusively from TEC-IT.

Give it a try!

About TEC-IT

+TEC-IT Datenverarbeitung GmbH provides high quality software in the areas of automated data acquisition and data collection, bar-coding, barcode extensions for ERP systems, label and form printing, report generators and output management. TEC-IT products are available for all major platforms, thus customers benefit from complete and versatile software solutions for all possible requirements. The company is located in Austria / Europe and can be reached via www.tec-it.com. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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NEW: Cost-Saving Bluetooth Barcode-Scanner App

Wireless Barcode-Scanner

TEC-IT is proud to publish a new Android app named Wireless Barcode Scanner. It is used as simple and cost-saving alternative to handheld Bluetooth barcode scanners.

Scanned bar-codes are sent via Bluetooth to the connected PC

Wireless Barcode Scanner scans bar-codes with the built-in camera and transmits the data immediately via Bluetooth™ to your PC or Mac. Linear and 2-D codes are supported.

Additional software is not required. The scanned bar codes are available immediately via a virtual serial port (COM or RS232 port) on your computer using standard tools.

Features

• Wireless Barcode Scanner is extremely easy to setup and use. Just pair your computer with your Android and scan bar-codes remotely. That's it.
• The app detects and decodes common linear and 2D bar-codes fast and reliable.
• Wireless Barcode Scanner is able to scan bar-codes in single-shot or batch mode. In single-shot mode barcodes are scanned one by one, in batch-mode the app scans barcodes automatically until interrupted by the user.
• No data loss! The app logs all scanned barcodes locally on the device for later (re-)sending.
• The Bluetooth connection state or failed bar-code scans are signaled to the user immediately.
• Wireless Barcode Scanner works as Bluetooth Master (supporting SPP - Serial Port Profile). Once paired with the computer, the barcode data can be read with standard software tools from a so-called virtual serial port (RS232 or COM-port).
• The app is available for enterprise licensing (no Google Play account required). Contact TEC-IT for details.
• Last but not least, Wireless Barcode Scanner supports adjustable barcode prefixes, barcode suffixes and decoder character sets.

User Manual

In order to use your Android as Bluetooth barcode scanner you need to perform the steps listed below. This guide is valid for PC users, a short manual for Mac users is available in the Help menu of the app itself.

1. On your Android: Activate Bluetooth
2. Make your Android discoverable so it's visible to all nearby Bluetooth devices (see Android Settings)
3. Start Wireless Barcode Scanner
4. On your PC: Click Add a device (see Control Panel)
5. Wait a few seconds until your Android was discovered by the PC
6. Follow the instructions to pair the devices
7. To find out the assigned COM port number right click on the device in Devices and Printers, select Properties, switch to the Services tab and look for an entry named Serial port (SPP) BlueScanner
8. Use your preferred program to capture the serial data, TEC-IT recommends the keyboard wedge software TWedge for professional data collection tasks.

Please note: If Wireless Barcode Scanner was not started on your Android before pairing, the service Serial Port (SPP) BlueScanner remains unchecked and no COM port number will be assigned to the Bluetooth connection. In this case check the SPP-service and close the dialog with OK. Then retry step 7 above.

Download

QR-Code Scanning

Use Google Play to install the free demo or to purchase the full version. For those without access to Google Play, the application package (APK) can be downloaded from TEC-IT's website.

Feedback

TEC-IT appreciates product feedback and enhancement requests from users. Please contact us via email or comment this blog post.

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NEW: Use Android for Data Acquisition with PCs or MACs

New Version!

As of today the new version of GetBlue, an Android app for automated data aquisition, is available.

GetBlue collects device data in the background and forwards captured data to adjustable destinations. The following devices and interfaces are supported in V2.8:

• Bluetooth SPP (server and client mode),
• TCP/IP sockets (server and client mode),
• HTTP,
• 3rd party camera scanners like the app Barcode Scanner from ZXing

Captured device data can be displayed, saved, uploaded or forwarded to

• adjustable target devices or target applications (PCs with Microsoft Windows, MAC computers, Google Docs spreadsheets, other Bluetooth devices, web applications, ...),
• files on the SD card,
• or injected into 3rd party applications (software wedge mode).

Highlights of the new Version:

• Bluetooth server support
  Previous GetBlue versions worked exclusively in Bluetooth client mode. Client mode is required to connect to other Bluetooth servers like a Bluetooth barcode scanner. The new Bluetooth server mode can now be used for establishing PC connections: Data captured or scanned with the Android device can automatically sent to a PC for further processing. Server mode is supported for TCP/IP connections as well.
• Licensing without Android Market
  For users without access to Android Market or for bulk-licensing requirements GetBlue can now be licensed by manually installing license certificates. In order to use this feature you need to download GetBlue from tec-it.com and contact TEC-IT for a certificate (price on request). Please note that the version available on Android Market does not support manual licensing.
• Transparent Proxy
  As mentioned above GetBlue works as transparent proxy between devices and/or protocols. Data from a Bluetooth device can be forwarded via TCP/IP or HTTP. This behavior is freely adjustable by means of data-source and data-sink configuration.

Give it a try!

Download GetBlue from Android market or from TEC-IT.COM. TEC-IT supports this app, in case of questions, problems or feature requests just get in touch with us!

About TEC-IT

About TEC-IT
TEC-IT Datenverarbeitung GmbH provides high quality software in the areas of automated data acquisition and data collection, bar-coding, barcode extensions for ERP systems, label and form printing and report generator software. TEC-IT products are available for all major platforms, thus customers benefit from complete and versatile software solutions for all possible requirements. The company is located in Austria / Europe and can be reached via www.tec-it.com.
All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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How to use Microvision ROV Barcode Scanners with Android - Update!

Bluetooth Data Acquisition on Android

Currently TEC-IT offers two Android apps for data acquisition with Bluetooth devices:

• GetBlue provides universal data acquisition and device communication with Bluetooth SPP, TCP and camera scanners. GetBlue communicates with serial Bluetooth devices (Serial Port Profile like SPP/RFCOMM barcode readers), TCP/IP devices and camera scanners. Captured data is displayed, saved (File, Google Docs), forwarded (HTTP, TCP) or injected as virtual keystrokes into Apps (GetBlue virtual keyboard).
• BluePiano extends all Apps with automated Bluetooth data acquisition. This new input method provides a Bluetooth-enabled soft-keyboard. This virtual keyboard captures data from Bluetooth SPP devices (serial port profile) and forwards the received data to input fields of arbitrary apps.

Microvision ROV Bluetooth Scanners

Problem:
Some users are experiencing the following issue: once a bar code is scanned with the Microvision ROV barcode scanner the bar code data is sent over and over again.
Cause:
This problem is because the scanner by default requires an acknowledgement of the receiving party (the Android device). The current versions of GetBlue and BluePiano do not acknowledge received data, thus you need to adapt the configuration of the Microvision device.
Solution:
The required acknowledgement can be switched off by configuring the scanner accordingly.
To do this please check out the Microvision ROV PDF user manual (page 74) for the configuration barcodes. You need to set the following values:

• ForceSerializationOverBT
  must be set to false to force compatibility mode and to disable serial numbers. Scan the Set FSOBT,0 = Force Serialization Over BlueTooth barcode.
• BCDataACK
  must be false so no ACK is required. Scan the Set Ack,0 = Bar Code Data Acknowledgement is False barcode.
• SeqNum
  must be false to disable serial numbers. Scan the Set Seq,0 = Sequence Number is False barcode.
• AutoDownload
  must be true to send scanned barcodes immediately to the Android device. Scan the Set ADl,1 = Auto Download is True barcode.

The Microvision ROV scanner user manual as compressed CHM file may also be of interest. Refer to this blogpost for displaying this file on Windows 7. Use the search function in the manual and search for Bar Coded Menu Cards.

Please note that the configuration information above was posted based on user feedback of TEC-IT's Android apps. If there are any problems let us know. Thanks!

Feedback

TEC-IT hopes this article is valuable for you. If there are any questions please feel free to contact us via email or MSN (support@tec-it.com).

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BluePiano: A New Android Bluetooth Input Method

BluePiano Bluetooth Input Method for Android

The input method BluePiano extends Android with Bluetooth data acquisition.

This new input method provides a Bluetooth-enabled soft-keyboard. This soft-keyboard captures Bluetooth data and forwards the received data to input fields of arbitrary apps. The data appears as entered by the user (watch the video on YouTube).

BluePiano is typically used for barcode scanning with external Bluetooth barcode-scanners or for generic data acquisition tasks (e.g. to capture raw external GPS or medical device data). English, German, French, Russian and Swedish keyboard layouts are available.

BluePiano is easy to use and provides you with connectivity feedback in the notification bar. For backup purposes BluePiano is also able to scan barcodes using camera barcode scanners (using the built-in or an external camera scanner app).

BluePiano works with all Bluetooth SPP devices (Bluetooth devices supporting the Serial Port Profile, RFCOMM). Special Android-enabled bar code scanners are NOT required. HID devices are not supported.

Video Tutorial

Installation

Download and install BluePiano from Android Market (see market://search?q=pname:com.tecit.android.bluepiano.demo). After installation a wizard guides you through the following steps:

BluePiano Logo

1. Activate Bluetooth
   See also: Android Settings – Wireless & networks.
2. Discover your Bluetooth device
   Please note that the Bluetooth device must be “discoverable”. See also: Android Settings – Wireless & networks – Bluetooth settings.
3. Pair your handset with your Bluetooth device.
   You need to enter the pairing PIN on your handset. See also: Android Settings – Wireless & networks – Bluetooth settings.
4. Adjust the Bluetooth device as input device for BluePiano.
   All data received from this input device will be transformed and treated like any other manual input. You may also long tap the ?123 key on the BluePiano keyboard and then invoke Bluetooth Device Manager.
5. Enable the input method BluePiano
   In order to use the new soft-keyboard you need to enable it in Android Settings. Confirm the security question. See also Android Settings -- Language & keyboard.
6. Activate the input method
   Do this by long-tapping on any text field of any app. In the upcoming menu select Input Method and check the BluePiano input method. Use the same method to activate your default keyboard again.
7. Finished!
   Now read a barcode with the external Bluetooth device (e.g. barcode scanner). As soon as the data is received by BluePiano it is entered into the current edit field. As an alternative you may press the barcode key on the BluePiano keyboard: The built-in camera scanner is invoked, the barcode is decoded and the data is entered automatically into the active edit field.

BluePiano Settings - Manual

Configure BluePiano using the installed wizard or navigate to Android Settings -- Language & keyboard and then select BluePiano.

As an alternative you may long-press on the ?123 key of the BluePiano keyboard. In the upcoming option menu select the required function.

Keyboard Options 

BluePiano Settings

• Data Prefix
  Use the placeholders ${ENTER},${TAB}, ${BACKSPACE}, ${DOWN},${UP}, ${LEFT} and ${RIGHT} to control the cursor or input focus before the captured data is inserted into the input field of the current app. The placeholders specified above can be abbreviated with${E}, ${T}, ${B}, ${D}, ${U}, ${L} and ${R}. A multiplier specified immediately after the placeholder (e.g. ${E5}) instructs BluePiano to simulate the specified key n times (5 times the Enter key in this example).
• Data Suffix
  Use the same placeholders as above to control the cursor or input focus after captured data was inserted into the input field of the current app.
• Camera Scanner
  The default setting “Internal Scanner” reads bar-codes using the camera bar-code scanner integrated into BluePiano. If you prefer to select the camera scanner to be used each time, select Always ask. If a specific app is selected, the software always uses exactly this camera scanner app without asking.
• Search Key Function
  This entry specifies the action when the hardware search key is pressed (this key is usually marked with a magnifier symbol, it is also available on the hardware keyboard): Invoke Camera Scanner opens the camera scanner when this key is pressed (you do not need to activate the soft-keyboard beforehand). In this case the search key acts as hot-key for barcode scanning.
  Choose Do nothing if you do not want to change the default behavior of the standard search key.

Bluetooth Options

BluePiano Settings Part 2

• Manage Device
  Use this function to adjusted the Bluetooth input device. Keep in mind that the device must be paired before it can be used. See also: Android Settings – Wireless & networks – Bluetooth settings. This function is only enabled if the Bluetooth connection is not suspended.
• Suspend Connection
  Temporarily disable BluePiano Bluetooth connectivity.
• Suspend Timeout
  If a Bluetooth device is unavailable for more than the specified number of seconds (e.g. out of range or switched off) it will be suspended. If a device is suspended you can’t capture Bluetooth data with BluePiano. A notification is displayed and you need to re-activate the device manually. The default timeout is 120 seconds (2 minutes).
• Vibrate on Error
  If activated, your handset vibrates in case of Bluetooth or connection errors.
• Disaster Recovery
  Some handset models are using buggy Bluetooth stacks (firmware with Bluetooth SPP errors). This SPP bug makes it impossible to connect to a Bluetooth SPP device. If you experience this problem we recommend rebooting your phone, to restart Bluetooth manually or to instruct BluePiano to restart the Bluetooth service automatically. Please note that until now no reliable solution to this problem is available.

General Options

• User Manual
  Link to this blog-post.
• YouTube videos
  Link to TEC-IT’s YouTube channel.
• License Check
  Checks and displays your current license for BluePiano.
• About
  Displays copyright and credits for 3rd party software.

Feedback Please!

Feedback and feature requests are highly welcome. Just contact TEC-IT.

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GetBlue Bluetooth SPP Problems: Android Troubleshooting

Bluetooth SPP Data Acquisition

GetBlue is an Android App which captures data from a data-source (Bluetooth SPP, TCP and Camera Scanners) and forwards the collected data to an adjustable data-sink (TCP, HTTP, File, Display, Online Spreadheets provided by Google Docs, GetBlue virtual keyboard). Data collection is done completely in the background.

Bluetooth SPP Connection Problems

Recently some users reported problems when using Bluetooth SPP (Serial Port Profile) devices with GetBlue: A Bluetooth SPP device can be paired without problems but GetBlue is unable to connect to it.

A Possible Solution

In order to avoid the connection problems please do the following in EXACTLY the given order:

a) Disable all GetBlue functions: Set datasink to "None", do NOT use keyboard output and deactivate the GetBlue keyboard in Android settings (required only if previously enabled).
b) Reboot the phone
c) Enable Bluetooth
d) Pair the Bluetooth device with your handset (Android settings)
e) Start GetBlue
f) Adjust datasource - select the device just paired
g) Press start in GetBlue

Background

The reason for this nasty behavior is a buggy Bluetooth implementation in the firmware of the handsets. HTC Desire, HTC Legend, HTC Wildfire, SonyEricson X10, Samsung Galaxy S and possibly more models are affected.
Google G1, G2 and Motorola Milestone work perfectly.

Please let us know your smart-phone model if you are experiencing this bug. We will update the list above accordingly.

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Barcode Scanner Keyboard for Android

Type Or Scan Barcode Keyboard

Barcode Keyboard - +TEC-IT's new soft-keyboard for Android offers integrated camera scanner support. Using this keyboard you are able to scan barcodes directly into any app, application switching or copy/paste is no longer required.

After the application was installed, this Barcode Keyboard  can be activated in Android Settings -- Language / keyboard.
Once activated you are still able to key-in text manually using the hardware or software-keyboard of your Droid. But whenever you need to enter the data of a barcode (e.g. an EAN or UPC product code, a QR-Code, ...) just press the barcode key or long press the num/alpha modifier. A camera scanner app (choose between the built-in or an external scanner) is opened, the barcode is decoded and the Barcode Keyboard enters the barcode data automatically into the current input field. No manual typing is required.

User Manual

NEW: A complete and updated user manual in German and English is available on TEC-IT's web site!

Enable Barcode Keyboard

After installing Barcode Keyboard from Android Market (Market link: market://search?q=pname:com.tecit.android.barcodekbd.demo) you need to enable the keyboard on your Droid (the keyboard must be activated too, see below!):

1. Navigate to Android Settings -- Language / keyboard
2. Check Barcode Keyboard and confirm the security warning

Barcode Keyboard Settings

• Data Prefix
  Using the placeholders ${ENTER}, ${TAB}, ${BACKSPACE}, ${DOWN}, ${UP}, ${LEFT} and ${RIGHT} you can control the cursor or input focus before the barcode data is inserted into the input field of the current app.
• Data Suffix
  Use the same placeholders as above to control the cursor or input focus after the barcode data is inserted into the input field of the current app.
• Camera Scanner
  If you prefer to select the camera scanner to be used each time, select Always ask. If a specific app is selected, the software always uses exactly this camera scanner app without asking.
• Search Key Function
  This entry specifies the action when the hardware search key is pressed (this key is usually marked with a magnifier symbol, it is also available on the hardware keyboard of a Motorola Droid/Milestone or Google G1): Scan Barcode Now immediately opens the camera scanner when this key is pressed (you do not need to activate the soft-keyboard beforehand). In this case the search key acts as hotkey for barcode scanning.
  Choose Do Nothing if you do not want to change the default behaviour of the standard search key.

Activate the Barcode Keyboard

1. Open some app which uses a text input field (e.g. Gmail, then Compose a new email).
2. Long-tap in some input field like To
3. A menu opens, select Input method
4. Choose Camera Keyboard

90 Seconds Video Demonstration

Update Available (V1.4 - October 2012)

In addition to numerous other improvements the updated version of the bar code keyboard supports the following keyboard layouts (The layout of the barcode keyboard is automatically adjusted to the system settings):

• English
• German
• French
• Russian
• Spanish - new
• Swedish

In addition the placeholders ${ENTER}, ${TAB}, ${BACKSPACE}, ${DOWN}, ${UP}, ${LEFT} and ${RIGHT} can now be abbreviated with ${E}, ${T}, ${B}, ${D}, ${U}, ${L} and ${R}. You can specify a multiplier immediately after the placeholder (e.g. ${E5}). This instructs the barcode keyboard to simulate the specified key n times (5 times Enter key in the example above).

Your Feedback Please!

Feedback and feature requests are highly welcome. Just contact TEC-IT.

P.S.: +TEC-IT  offers also another Android App named GetBlue. This app provides automated data collection and data entry for all apps. Connects to TCP RFID and Bluetooth SPP barcode scanners!

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Video: Android Bluetooth SPP Connectivity for All Apps

TEC-IT released a short video on YouTube which demonstrates the use of the Bluetooth Reader GetBlue.

You will learn how to configure GetBlue in order to be used as Bluetooth software wedge. The Bluetooth barcode scanner must be paired with your Android handset, then it is adjusted as input device for GetBlue. As data-sink (the target application for the scanned data) the GetBlue Keyboard is selected. Using this configuration  it is possible to inject captured barcode scanner data as virtual user input into each application.

See for yourself:



GetBlue acts as "middleware" between hardware and apps. Thus, each (legacy) Bluetooth bar code scanner supporting the serial port profile can be used.

The video quality is satisfying - but far away from perfect. We will produce a HD video with sound in the near future. In the meantime we are awaiting your video comments!

Many thanks!

Video: How to use Bluetooth Barcode Scanners with Android

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Android Bluetooth Reader, Keyboard Wedge

In the past few months TEC-IT developed an Android App for data acquisition with Bluetooth and TCP. The good feedback of the Android community motivated us to further enhance this app. The result: an universal data acquisition app including keyboard wedge functionality.

The app is named GetBlue. The final version is available as slightly restricted freeware as well as commercial application. Here are the highlights:

• Android Keyboard Wedge / Virtual Keyboard:
  Captured device data can be entered into any application.
• Supported Input Devices: 
• Bluetooth SPP/RFCOMM, TCP (e.g. RFID controllers), HTTP applications and camera scanners apps like the ZXing Barcode Scanner.
• Supported Data-Sinks:
  Bluetooth SPP/RFCOMM, plain TCP, HTPP via Get and Post, Google Docs Spreadsheets, File.
• Data Acquisition Proxy / Data Switchboard:
  Acquired data can be forwarded to any supported data-sink.

Universal Data Acquisition App

Use GetBlue like an universal data switchboard: capture data from a data-source and forward it to an arbitrary data-sink. As an example you can adjust GetBlue to collect data from a Bluetooth barcode scanner and forward this data immediately to a Google Docs spreadsheet (refer to the drawing).

What is a Virtual Keyboard?

A virtual keyboard replaces the standard soft-keyboard of Android. Captured data is always made available to this virtual keyboard. Thus, data acquired from a Bluetooth barcode scanner or an RFID tag can be entered into any application which is accepting user input. This works completely independent from the selected datasource and the target app.

Call for Requests!

The internals of GetBlue are very simply to extend (e.g. new protocols, new devices, ...). Just let us know your requirements. Whenever possible we will provide you with a solution. Leave us a comment or send an email to office@tec-it.com.

Free Trial!

Install GetBlue using Android Market on your handset. Search for GetBlue manually or use this link: market://search?q=pname:com.tecit.datareader.android.getblue.demo.

We are looking forward to hearing from you!

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Automated Data Acquisition for Android - Update

TEC-IT (http://www.tec-it.com) published version 0.7 of the Android data acquisition app GetBlue!


GetBlue captures device data and saves this data directly to a local file, to a Google Spreadsheet or forwards it to adjustable HTTP/TCP data logging servers. Bi-directional communication is supported, server responses as well as manually entered data can be sent to the connected device.


Currently the following devices are supported:

• Any Bluetooth device supporting the Serial Port Profile (SPP, RFCOMM),
• Any TCP/IP device (IP-Address/Port combination), 
• And new in this version: any installed camera barcode scanner (e.g. the ZXing camera barcode scanner, cyrket market  information) 

Currently GetBlue is available as freeware - the manual data acquisition functions are available unlimited. Automated data acquisition functionality (like uploading captured data to a TCP data logger) are slightly restricted. All data collection parameters are adjustable by the user via the Settings dialog. The data-source,  the target server, various data capturing parameters like time-outs, retries, data packet size, etc. are adjustable.

Android owners are using GetBlue for a variety of functions:

• Testing app for serial Bluetooth devices
• Automated data collection
• Simple TCP debugger
• Bluetooth tester for Android 1.5/1.6 or higher

TEC-IT continues to enhance and extend the app. Every feedback from users is highly welcome. Check out the current version for yourself: Android Market Link (install it directly from the Android Market using your handset).

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Bluetooth Data Acquisition with Android

UPDATE: Bluetooth/TCP Reader GetBlue for Android™ 

TEC-IT (http://www.tec-it.com) published version 0.5 of GetBlue!

GetBlue is a smart application which communicates with Bluetooth and TCP/IP devices. The new version supports bi-directional device communication. 

In addition to its simple TELNET like functionality, GetBlue captures serial Bluetooth (SPP/RFCOMM) or TCP data, displays it in a log window and forwards the collected data to an arbitrary server application. Data forwarding works even in the background or when changing screen orientation. Manually entered user data or server responses are sent then back to the device. 

All important communication parameters are adjustable: GetBlue can easily be configured to capture Bluetooth barcode data and forward it to a web-application via

• HTTP GET requests
• HTTP Post requests
• Plain TCP sockets 

In addition it can be adjusted whether server responses should be sent back to the device. Using these features GetBlue can be configured for automated data acquisition or working as TCP/Bluetooth proxy. Bi-directional communication scenarios like the following are covered with the free demo version:

1. The Android device captures barcodes with a Bluetooth barcode scanner 
2. GetBlue forwards the scanned barcodes to your server application
3. The server responds - for example - with a status code (like data accepted or data not accepted)
4. GetBlue sends the server-respone back to the barcode scanner

Give it a try - Android Market Link.

Note: The free demo version replaces forwarded data sometimes with a demo text. All other features are completely unrestricted.

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TCP and Bluetooth Reader for Android™

TEC-IT joined the Android™ Community!

TEC-IT (http://www.tec-it.com) published GetBlue - its first free App for Android smartphones!

GetBlue is a smart application which communicates with Bluetooth and TCP/IP devices. The user is able to connect to arbitrary Bluetooth devices supporting the Serial Port Profile (SPP), receive and display device data immediately and finally to send manually entered data or control commands to the device. In addition to Bluetooth SPP GetBlue supports connectivity via TCP sockets.

We encourage you to give it a try! GetBlue is completely free and is intended as debugging/testing tool for Android users. When browsing the Android Market with your handset just search for the term GetBlue!

The screen-shot shows barcode data scanned with a Bluetooth barcode scanner paired with a Google G1. GetBlue is available for Android 1.5, 1.6, 2.0 or higher. It was tested with Google G1 and Motorola Milestone/Motorola Droid. For more information get in touch with us - visit www.tec-it.com.

UPDATE 09/04/2010:
We just released an update with the following new features:
- Save to File (save received device data to an arbitrary text file)
- Copy to Clipboard
- No more demo dialogs, this version of GetBlue is completely unlimited (and still free).

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Free QR-Code Badge for Web-Masters

Interested in adding a "Create QR-Code Badge" to your web-site? If yes - please read on!

TEC-IT has enhanced it's bookmarking and sharing add-on for web-sites. Besides the "traditional" sharing services for Facebook, Twitter, Digg, StumpleUpon, SlashDot etc. this web-control now generates and displays a QR-Code encoding the URL of interest.

Such an URL QR-Code can be read with camera-equipped smartphones. The bar code decoder application on the phone forwards the user to this URL immediately - without keying in the URL manually. The bar code looks cool and can be shared via email, via MMS, by embedding it into arbitrary artwork - or simply by printing it.

Get in touch with us if you are interested in this QR-Code Badge. It will be available for free if you provide a backlink to www.tec-it.com.

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Mobile Barcode Reader Applications

Because we receive numerous requests for available mobile bar-code reader applications we list some free barcode decoders . Please note: The list is not complete and it is not a recommendation. If you think a reader application should be mentioned in this list please let us know! We would be glad to maintain the overview regularly.

Barcode readers we have tried ourself:
Beetagg Reader: http://www.beetagg.com/
Kaywa Reader: http://reader.kaywa.com/
QuickMark: http://www.quickmark.com.tw/
i-nigma Reader: http://www.i-nigma.com/i-nigmahp.html
Neo Reader: http://www.neoreader.com/
Barcode Scanner "ZXING" for Google Android: See Android Market

Other readers (incomplete)
UPCode: http://www.upc.fi/en/upcode/instructions/download/
Reader: http://mobile-tagging.blogspot.com/2008/07/readerdownload.html


Also check out this overview: http://www.qrme.co.uk/qr-code-resources/qr-code-readers.html

Hope this helps!

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ShopSavvy Impressions

ShopSavvy is quite an interesting application available for Google’s Android mobile phone G1. Since a few weeks I use such a G1 and I gave this application a try.

What is ShopSavvy?

ShopSavvy is some sort of shopping assistant: It enables you to compare prices of products quickly.

The most interesting feature is that such comparisons are based on the product barcode (e.g. an EAN code). The barcode is decoded with the built in camera of the G1 (no manual key-in required) - and ShopSavvy then digs the deep wide web for identical products, their pricing - and possible shopping alternatives.

Great idea and quite funny for some minutes. I imagined myself standing in front of some product, decoding the bar code and thereafter bargaining with the seller (and using the G1 as the perfect discussion base).

Because price comparison has never been easier I can also imagine that some shop owners will hate this application. Especially for highly-priced products such an online price comparison makes sense.

But let me come to my point: The idea "ShopSavvy" has really potential. Pricing is just one aspect. Product discussions and customer feedback ("What does other customers think about this product") may be the next step.

Finally, a world-wide product database (based on product barcodes) is not far away (idea copyrighted by TEC-IT ;-)): G1 users use ShopSavvy world-wide, they enter missing products (like a ProductWikipedia.com), entries are corrected and extended by other users - and voila: all products world-wide are available via bar-code. International pricing included.

Before I forget: The company NeoMedia claims (or at least tries to claim - I am not sure if this patent was rejected shortly) a patent (#6,651,053) which may cover parts of the original ShopSavvy idea.

Let me know what you think.

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