The FloJack uses a 4 poll 3.5mm audio plug to communicate with the host device in a full duplex manner.  Computers like Macs and PCs typically separate the Mic/LineIn jacks from the Speaker/Headphone ones.  Therefore, you would only be able to either speak-to or listen-from the FloJack to get things done.  Not very practical.

Nevertheless, there is a “standalone” mode that the FloJack can operate in.  It configures the FloJack to simply read tags and broadcast their content to any host device that it might be plugged into (or not).  In this mode, we’ve implemented solutions where the FloJack works we a half-duplex connection.  Since the communication is only in one direction, there’s no way for the host device to tell the FloJack when to enter low-power mode.  Therefore, the FloJack will burn through it’s battery much faster than it would otherwise.  For instance, rather than lasting months on one battery the FloJack battery performance could be drawn down to a matter of hours.

Richard and the Flomies.

Hey Nicolas, in theory the FloJack indeed could work with a Mac or PC, but let me be clear that we don’t provide the support for this functionality right now.  You will have to develop it yourself from reading the iOS or Android SDKs as well as the FloJack Spec Sheet.

The Mic channel would be used for the reading of tags, the headphone plug for writing tags or configuring the FloJack.

The FloJack will not be damaged when not off, but the coin cell battery inside the FloJack will drain.  Once this battery has drained completely it will need to be replaced.  In Standalone mode we estimate the FloJack will not last more than a few days.