WiFi vs Bluetooth, User Experience with Phones
SRLM
Posts: 5,045
I'm working on a design that requires passing data from an embedded device through a phone and on to the internet. I'm considering which wireless technology to use, and want to compare the WiFi vs Bluetooth.
The device is a small consumer electronics piece that records data. When done, a user will transfer data off the device and up to the cloud with an app.
My question is if WiFi has as good of a user experience as Bluetooth in mobile applications? Has anybody used a WiFi device where:
- connections are seamless wherever you are?
- home network or not?
- Android or iPhone?
- drops or interferes with existing internet connection?
- reliable and useful automatic connections?
The reason to go with WiFi over Bluetooth is the much higher throughput (Mbps vs kbps), but Bluetooth seems like it is easier for users on the go.
The device is a small consumer electronics piece that records data. When done, a user will transfer data off the device and up to the cloud with an app.
My question is if WiFi has as good of a user experience as Bluetooth in mobile applications? Has anybody used a WiFi device where:
- connections are seamless wherever you are?
- home network or not?
- Android or iPhone?
- drops or interferes with existing internet connection?
- reliable and useful automatic connections?
The reason to go with WiFi over Bluetooth is the much higher throughput (Mbps vs kbps), but Bluetooth seems like it is easier for users on the go.
Comments
Bluetooth: Pandora on my wife's car's stereo, my Okra bluetooth audio adapter for my garage stereo
WiFi: Only use when debugging network issue with an app called Fing.
When using Bluetooth, the only issues I have ever had is when Bluetooth pairing gets flaky and I have to "forget" devices and re-pair to make them work correctly again.
As for WiFi, I have never had an issues with anything related to WiFi except when moving in and out of the range or a set of WiFi access points. If I am moving between two Access Points, it seems my phone has to nearly drop the signal completely on the AP I was originally closest to, before it will transfer over to the one I am walking towards. So, if I am still in the range of the first one I started on, WiFi will get really slow because of the connection speed. However, if I disconnect and reconnect, it will connect to the one I am closer to and then will be a lot stronger/faster.
Android Phone, Motorloa HD Maxx, Verizon, used on my home, work, and church networks.