Mobile phones are great if all that you want to do is to check your email and then do something simple- like call a friend! However, when you try to control other electronic things with your phone then things get complicated. The interfaces from the phones are many: infrared, Bluetooth, wifi and of course the phone networks. However, each of them have their own protocols and requirements.
The example below is specific for android devices since those are so popular and easy to use but iPhone too has similar tools. Let us say you have a simple project that requires you to control an instrument and then send the data that was acquired as email or text message. You would like to control motors or maybe just embed the phone in an instrument.
A company called Sparkfun electronics has done just that – they have created a board that serves as the intermediate between a mobile phone and traditional electronics. This is a game changer in the world of mobile phones. The board is called IOIO that can be connected via Bluetooth or USB connection from the phone to the board. This board then can control whatever electronics are connected to it. The internet is loaded with people using it to control their toys, cars, temperature gauges and others.
It would be neat to see the phone and DNA sequencer that is controlled by the mass produced electronics in a phone but better still a mail cart that delivers items first to the people who call them!