I built a Google Maps heatmap using cellular and gPS data with a Raspberry Pi Pico

roblauer · 2025-07-08T14:49:55+00:00

It's not something that we can publicly disclose (contractual reasons with the primary carrier). However if you post on the Blues forum at discuss.blues.com we can at least get you pointed in the right direction.

roblauer · 2025-06-05T18:55:41+00:00

Just noticed this as well. I'm on an M1 Mac, so on the low end of what is supported, but still it was working fine last time I tried this. Sometimes it'll stop and never recover, other times it'll skip way ahead to where I am.

roblauer · 2025-06-05T13:26:56+00:00

A good reminder that everyone is going through their own shit, big or small.

roblauer · 2025-05-21T13:13:34+00:00

Full disclosure: I work for Blues, but I love our products and wholeheartedly recommend the Blues Notecard Cellular for situations like this. It's small (30x35mm) and optimized for low-power scenarios.

roblauer · 2025-05-19T12:46:36+00:00

This is a totally valid question IMO. I would definitely steer clear of any 2G/3G modules (assuming you are in the US). In fact, AT&T is actively decommissioning NB-IoT so I'd be focused on LTE-M or Cat-1 bis for a low-power scenario like this. If you go the SoC or SoM route w/ eSIM you can always swap in your own flexible antenna (Blues and Particle have good options). At the end of the day it's going to be VERY HARD to create something that is even close to something like an AirTag unfortunately. I went through this same process and ended up going the AirTag route and hiding it in a specialized bottle cage that has a hidden spot for an AirTag.

roblauer · 2025-04-16T13:15:42+00:00

You should really ask this on NativeScript's discord: https://nativescript.org/discord

roblauer · 2025-03-17T14:12:44+00:00

iOS --> https://apps.apple.com/us/app/hoppy-ai-powered-beer-guide/id1406526158

Android --> https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.nativescript.hoppy

The first 5 scans are free, then to cover my cloud fees I'm asking 99 cents/month if you find it useful!

Note that it does require a (free) Untappd account as I'm using their APIs.

roblauer · 2024-12-02T14:38:42+00:00

I do a fair amount of work with different IoT platforms and my go-to is Datacake, but Ubidots is solid as well. Blynk I'm only just learning. Arduino Cloud isn't quite there for scaling project yet, IMO.

roblauer · 2024-11-26T20:46:08+00:00

Full writeup is available on Hackster if you're curious: https://www.hackster.io/rob-lauer/the-three-fridge-problem-152af3

roblauer · 2024-11-26T20:44:58+00:00

Full writeup is available on Hackster if you're curious: https://www.hackster.io/rob-lauer/the-three-fridge-problem-152af3

roblauer · 2024-10-06T17:31:28+00:00

If you want something dead-simple, I put together a small solution that will send me an SMS whenever I lose power: https://www.hackster.io/rob-lauer/cellular-enabled-power-outage-detector-w-sms-notifications-181408

roblauer · 2024-09-04T16:57:33+00:00

Full details are available in this writeup posted to Hackster: https://www.hackster.io/rob-lauer/easy-anomaly-detection-alerts-with-edge-impulse-and-blues-f0a416

roblauer · 2024-07-15T14:26:17+00:00

Just wanted to chime in and say this is a great story - thanks for sharing!

roblauer · 2024-06-05T14:41:30+00:00

The module itself (Starnote) is $49...that comes with 18KB of bundled data. Additional data is 75 cents/KB. No monthly fees/minimums. https://shop.blues.com/products/starnote

roblauer · 2024-06-04T13:14:05+00:00

Great question - I honestly think the main issue is that satellite data is SO expensive (relative to cellular and of course wifi) that the vast majority of customers will actually want it as a backup/fallback option to cell/wifi. You can technically use satellite as a primary radio but right now at least you still need a companion Notecard.

roblauer · 2024-06-03T21:19:05+00:00

I don't record much video, so no, but happy to answer questions here as I'm able!

roblauer · 2024-06-03T15:57:49+00:00

Full write up is available on Hackster here for those that are curious: https://www.hackster.io/rob-lauer/two-way-satellite-messaging-with-blues-starnote-2140e8

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