Bluetooth not connecting; stuck at scanning/not scanning

MIT App Inventor Help
#1

Hello, I am attempting to connect MIT App Inventor to an EV3, or really Bluetooth device right now. I used the code which I found here: https://iot.appinventor.mit.edu/assets/howtos/MIT_App_Inventor_Basic_Connection.pdf

I have clicked the "scan" button, but there appears to be no progress. It is evident that the button is working, for the label has changed to "Status: Scanning."

So the issue is that no devices are showing up in the list selector. Bluetooth is enabled on this device (iPhone with MIT App Inventor 2). I have also tried using a Chromebook with the MIT App Inventor 2 downloaded.

Please let me know how I should proceed. Thank you in advance!

#2

Hello Suchir

Extensions (i.e. BLE) cannot be used for iPhone Apps unfortunately. What version of Bluetooth does your Chrome Book support?

#3

@ChrisWard
Hello, I am not sure what version I have. I know that it's updated to the most recent things, so I assume the latest one (how would I check this?)

I have an android tablet with MIT's Companion downloaded on it. Would that work better to connect BLE?

I have also tried using JUST the "Bluetooth Client," on my iPhone, and that does not work either...

Thank you so much!

#4

Since it's hardware, not software, you cannot assume anything, including whether it has Bluetooth at all. However, there is no guarantee that Chrome OS is going to be 100% compatible with your Android OS App - it can run some Apps but not others. To find out what you have got:
Open the Chrome Browser, new tab: and type-in: chrome://system - then hit Enter.

#5

That would definitely be better to run your Android Apps. You will need to look-up your exact Tablet Model on the manufacturer's website to find out the Bluetooth version number.

#6

App Inventor has a Lego Mindstorms 'component' with some controls for the EV3 (which, strangely, has been discontinued by Lego). So once you have established the Bluetooth version of your Tablet, take a look at that component.

#7

I typed the chrome://system in, and I have a big table-like structure with labels on the left and values on the right. I'm not sure which one Bluetooth is, but "CHROMEOS_BLUETOOTH_FLOSS" says "disabled."

The tablet is still charging up, so I will let you know the model and Bluetooth version number once that happens. Thank you!

#8

@ChrisWard

Looks like it is Fire HD 10 (7th generation). I was able to download the Google Play Store, and MIT's App Inventor. It looks like it is working, but it gives the names of devices in this format: "39:78:50:2A:47:1D null -50."
Is this normal (using BluetoothLE extension)? If not, should I try to use the normal Bluetooth Client?