A Gentle Introduction to IoT and Mobile

The Internet of Things (IoT) is no longer just a buzzword—it’s shaping the way we interact with the physical world. From wearables to smart homes, connected cars to industrial automation, IoT solutions are bridging the gap between hardware and mobile software in ways that impact millions of users daily.

This session offers a gentle yet practical introduction to IoT development with mobile devices at the center. We’ll begin with an overview of IoT fundamentals and communication technologies, focusing on Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) as a key enabler of mobile-to-device connectivity. Attendees will then explore a hands-on example using an ESP32 microcontroller, a custom BLE service, and an iOS application to demonstrate the full journey: defining services, advertising, connecting, reading data, and visualizing it on mobile.

Finally, we’ll discuss the real-world challenges of IoT projects—from unstable hardware revisions and power constraints to secure data transfer, testing strategies, and managing complex device states. Whether you are a mobile developer curious about IoT, or an IoT engineer looking to strengthen mobile integration, this talk will give you the foundations and insights to build reliable, scalable, and secure connected solutions.

Key takeaways:

• Understand IoT basics and the role of mobile in the IoT ecosystem.

• Learn how Bluetooth Low Energy works in practice.

• Walk through a live demo project: ESP32 sensor + BLE + iOS app.

• Explore common pitfalls and challenges in IoT projects—and how to address them.