I received a PM from a student in the class last night. I am putting it on talk in hopes of a better answer than I can give to his question.
Hey Brady,
Thanks for hosting the class yesterday, it really got me interested in trying some projects out using micro-controllers. I remember you saying you weren’t sure about Blynk as a platform, what other method would you recommend for getting a microcontroller to communicate with a mobile device over the internet?
Thank You,
That is an excellent question that I am not qualified to answer. Let me call in a few folks that may have insight and I’ll give some background on my comment. @Bill @eric24 @zmetzing @Dale_Wheat @denzuko @Microrustyc
My background in this is strictly as a hobbyist who got involved with it from interest, found it fascinating and helpful, shared with friends and now is doing classes. I have not researched either of the companies that I have used very much. Blynk, especially, seems to be having growing problems. My comment was along the line that they are both interesting and useful from a hobby standpoint but I would be careful and research much more before I used them to support a business. I understand that the server software of both companies is open source and can be run on, for example, a Raspberry Pi.
I did an early class using ThingSpeak where I used the platform as a method of sending Tweets for updates or alarms. I do not plan to repeat this but may pull material into other classes.
Build a $10 Alarm that Tweets
https://calendar.dallasmakerspace.org/events/view/3261
The class that Daniel refers to uses the Blynk platform and a microcontroller at home or wherever and the sensors can be monitored or actuators activated from anywhere you have cell service.
Arduino: Blynk into the Internet of Things!
https://calendar.dallasmakerspace.org/events/view/5516
I have installed sensors on the chiller tubes of Blitzen to archive temperatures on the Blynk.cc platform. In a few weeks, I will be offering a class on how to do this for yourself. The following link gives info, links to live plots and suggestions on the future. Note that it runs on a free overloaded server of a company that would like for me to upgrade. If the 24 plot fails, try it later.
I think both services are fascinating from a hobby standpoint and plan to continue to use both until I find something better. I have corresponded with a DMS member who might be interested in handling server side programming if the laser test turns into a project and if I am not tied to ThingSpeak. I instantaneously responded that I am open to anything he would like to use.
I hope that those who know this field more than I will respond with info.