This article details the creation of a toolkit for building a macropad using an Android app and a Linux server, focusing on communication protocols, security considerations, and the challenges of building a complex interface with App Inventor.
This article discusses using MIT's App Inventor to create a custom Android app for controlling a Raspberry Pi-based robot via Bluetooth. It details the ease of use of App Inventor, the challenges of setting up Bluetooth communication on the Linux side (specifically with Bluez), and a workaround involving a custom server to handle Bluetooth communication.
MIT CSAIL Professor Hal Abelson emphasizes the importance of free software for securing our agency in our digital worlds. His project, App Inventor, enables anyone to create apps without coding. He also discusses free software freedoms, the book 'Blown to Bits', and the importance of privacy and data provenance in today's digital age.
