What does this mean? *Taken from Apple site*

[MacNoobGuy]

hey guys, i came across this earlier and it sounds great. the impression i get is that it allows an iOS device to communicate to other hardware that use bluetooth. is this correct? i'd love to make apps that are able to communicate with other hardware devices.

"Join the iOS Developer Program to design iOS apps that communicate with accessories through the 30-pin dock connector or Bluetooth."
link: https://developer.apple.com/programs/mfi/

thanks

 

[blevins321]

Yeah. A popular one is an infrared transmitter to use your iOS device as a universal remote control. Another is that new Paypal or Square service that turns your device into a credit card machine with swipe capabilities.

 

[fishkorp]

It can be a complicated and expensive process. The device your app will talk to needs to be MFi certified. You can't just make an app talk to anything Bluetooth. It needs to say "works with iPhone" on the packaging. The MFi process is for you to get the Bluetooth devices you build certified to say "works with iPhone."

 

[MacNoobGuy]

so it's for people that are creating hardware devices?

 

[ct2k7]

so it's for people that are creating hardware devices?

yes

 

[MacNoobGuy]

yes

oh, wow. i'm guessing this is impossible for a solo guy?

 

[waw74]

Another is that new Paypal or Square service that turns your device into a credit card machine with swipe capabilities.

those just plug into the headphone jack, and transmit the data via the microphone, strip info is converted to and audio signal, and the app decodes that.

 

[MacNoobGuy]

oh, wow. i'm guessing this is impossible for a solo guy?

a solo guy working from his home i should say*

 

[calvy]

a solo guy working from his home i should say*

Nothing is impossible. But it sure isn't looking easy, is it?