[January 26, 2015]

Windows Bean Loader Launches, Enables Wireless Arduino Programming from Surface Pro Tablets and Windows 8.1 Laptops

Punch Through Design, a hardware and software development firm that brings Bluetooth Low Energy hacking to the masses, has released the Windows Bean Loader, the first-ever wireless Arduino programming app for Windows users. Using the loader app, Windows-based developers and hobbyists can easily upload code to their LightBlue Bean and experience the power of Bluetooth Low Energy, without cables or a physical connection to the LightBlue Bean.

"The LightBlue Bean represents a new method of wirelessly interacting with prototypes and projects," says Colin Karpfinger, founder and CEO, Punch Through Design. "Previously, only Mac OS X and iOS users could program their Beans, and now we are extending that functionality to Windows users."

The full-featured app, available from the Windows Store, fills a void for Windows-based developers and DIY'ers looking to create smartphone-controlled devices. Features include:

• Wireless programming of Arduino sketches to the LightBlue Bean
• Wireless Bean firmware updates
• BLE serial communication monitor and logger
• Ability to read and log the on-board accelerometer, temperature and LED status
• Easy configuration of the Bean as an iBeacon
• Ability to protect Beans with BLE pairing in security
• Easy access to firmware version, Arduino power state, battery level and on-board sketch name
• Developed to work well with touchscreen-enabled Windows devices including the Surface Pro

LightBlue Beans are also a favorite of professional developers that leverage the LightBlue platform to take their prototypes to production. This approach allows re-use of Bean functionality, but with a custom form factor and quantity optimized price.

About Punch Through Design

Punch Through Design helps companies build great products by providing hardware, software and expertise. Specializing in Bluetooth-connected products, Punch Through Design offers market-leading test apps, hardware modules and development services.

With offices in San Francisco and Minneapolis filled to the brim with electronics, 2.4GHz traffic and surf gear, the company creates ways for a wide range of users to easily connect devices to the digital world. Punch Through Design also provides consulting services to design and guide products from initial idea to production.

For more information visit Punch Through Design's website, Facebook page or Twitter.

Images available on request.

Microsoft (News - Alert) Windows, Windows 8, Microsoft Surface Pro and Windows Store are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]