FloBLE Plus Firmware Upgrade

[RafaelParticipant]

Hi Richard,

I believe I talked to you earlier today about the firmware of my Flomio BLE Plus.

I tried the firmware update process. I downloaded the file, unzipped it and followed the instructions.

However, when I got to the part where I run the firmware update software I could not find the same selection from the pulldown menu as is stated in the instructions. What I found was this:

Inline image 1

Should I ignore the difference and continue anyway?
If I do, I get the following…

Inline image 3

Inline image 2

Help!!!

It seems that I cannot place images in this forum. I sent the actual email to info@flomio.com where the images are visible.

[RafaelParticipant]

Hey guys,

I’m not getting much response from you. Should I send in the device to be replaced instead? Can you send me one with the correct firmware simultaneously so that we don’t lose too much more time. It has taken us some time just to realize that it is the Flomio device that isn’t working and now the support is missing to do the firmware upgrade…

[RafaelParticipant]

resend.

[RichardKeymaster]

Hi Rafael, sorry for the delay but not sure what your issue is. We’ve tested the firmware upgrade software is still working as expected on our Windows 7 machine. What PC are you using??

best,
Richard

[RafaelParticipant]

I’m using a laptop PC with Windows 7 installed.

Could we do one of two things?
1.) I return the unit while you guys send me another one with the right firmware.
2.) Someone handholds me (on the phone) while I try to use the online firmware upgrade.

[RichardKeymaster]

I can walk you through the firmware upgrade at 4pm EST today.. could that work? Use this conference code:

https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/282822437

best,
Richard

[RafaelParticipant]

I responded to your email about starting at 4:30pm.

[RafaelParticipant]

I’m in GoToMeeting now.

[RichardKeymaster]

I missed you 430pm note… are you available now?

[RafaelParticipant]

Yes, I’m available now.

[RafaelParticipant]

I’m waiting in the GoToMeeting you set up previously. You are the organizer.

[RafaelParticipant]

Never mind, after trying several times as I waited, it looks like I’m at firmware version 1.16.03.

[RichardKeymaster]

That’s progress. I have to conference session still open, join any time if you still need assistance. Are you now able to detect tags using the Flomio Test app?

[RafaelParticipant]

Yes, using NFC_Actions I’m able to get the UUID and a stream of data when I make contact between your device and a tag.
I don’t need any assistance at this time. Thanks.

[RafaelParticipant]

Richard, our developers have been able to use the Flomio Plus to read our NFC device and communicate to iOS devices via Bluetooth. However, the device I received (which, if you remember, I initially received with an older firmware and had to upgrade) is hit or miss when trying to communicate. It might work well when I test it but then not communicate when I present it to customers (that has happened twice now). I compare the hardware and firmware versions of my Flomio Plus BLE and the ones my developers have and both the hardware and firmware versions are the same.
So, I just ordered another Flomio to test the hypothesis that the Flomio I currently have is defective somehow. All I ask is that this one is that this one is sent with the correct firmware so that I don’t have to go through that involved process again.

[RichardKeymaster]

Hey Rafael, sorry for the issues. Yes, all units in stock have the latest released firmware, v1.16.03. If you’d like to send back the defective one you have we can send you a replacement unit for it as well.

best,
Richard

[RafaelParticipant]

Thanks, Richard. I’ll send mine back to you once I receive the new one and can compare the performance.
Can you confirm that the new one has or will ship today. The tracking status is still showing as “Pre-Shipment” meaning, I think, that only the label has been created…

[RafaelParticipant]

Richard, can you please me give an expected ship date?

[RichardKeymaster]

You order went out yesterday. Did you now receive a “Completed” shipping confirmation email?

[RafaelParticipant]

I did receive a “Completed” shipping confirmation but it had “Backordered” written on it and the USPS tracking link still shows “Pre-Shipment” with no information that it has actually been picked up.

[RafaelParticipant]

Richard,

I use the Flomio BLE Plus in order to read our NFC device and transmit the data to an iPhone. Every time I demo it to customers it doesn’t work but it does work when I get back in the office. Does my iPhone, which I only use for demo purposes and has no SIM card, have to be connected to Wifi in order for the Flomio to work?? It sure is embarrassing to have customer demos fail!

[RichardKeymaster]

Hi Rafael, I’m sorry for the issues. We check for a valid license every time you use the SDK with a reader. Since our license server is in the cloud, this requires your demo phone to be online. We offer a Pro SDK that skips the license check altogether. You can order that here. It’s a direct swap with the Basic SDK.

best,
Richard

[RafaelParticipant]

C’mon Richard. This is the problem with having a lack of documentation. The only way to know that this is a problem is to have multiple fails (in front of customers no less) and even then it took months to deduce that it was somehow related to non-connectivity to Wifi since it didn’t make sense that lack of Wifi would affect our own code, which is what we initially focused on. A simple troubleshooting guide with this as a possibility would have avoided a huge loss of face in front of customers.

[RichardKeymaster]

Rafael, I sincerely apologize and take full responsibility for our poor documentation. We need to do better and welcome your feedback on the best way to do so. I just added a paragraph to the Getting Started section in our docs:

Our Flomio SDK consists of native libraries for Android and iOS that let you collect NFC and RFID without having to deal with the stress of managing the low level interactions between the reader and tag. The Flomio SDK comes in 2 flavors, Basic and Pro. The Basic SDK checks for proper license on our cloud server so it requires connectivity to work. The Pro SDK works completely offline. More details in FAQ section below.

And another to the FAQ section:

What’s the difference between the Basic SDK and the Pro SDK? The Flomio SDK is currently sold on the per device license. That means that if you build an app with the Flomio SDK it will only work with readers that have valid licenses. Every FloJack and FloBLE reader we sell includes the Basic SDK license. This license is checked against reader device ID every time your app runs by checking our online database. That means that you need have web connectivity for the Basic SDK to work. For customers that need more flexibility, the Pro SDK is able to operate completely offline. The license is checked inside the Pro SDK bundle itself so you’re always guaranteed a good result.

Hope that would have helped avoid your mishap. If not, let me know what more would work.

best,
Richard

[Author]

Posts