Tencent launched, in April 2014, Tencent Operating System, an Android-based open hardware operating system for smart, connected devices. Three months later, Tencent’s WeChat undertook work on an IoT open hardware platform in July 2014. As of a year ago, more than 2,400 hardware manufacturers, including both startups and established companies, had signed up for the service.
The WeChat Hardware Platform delivers cloud services for seamless connectivity to the Internet. WeChat Hardware Platform includes two protocols (AirKiss and AirSync), WeChat jaspi, and a software development kit (SDK). Together these enable hardware creators to develop smart devices that seamlessly connect to the Internet. Consumers of these connected devices, then, are able to easily connect to their smart devices via the Weixin app (the Chinese version of WeChat).
AirKiss is the protocol for Wi-Fi provisioning and service discovery. The protocol allows hardware developers to seamlessly connect their smart devices to the Internet. Developers must integrate the AirKiss Static Library into their devices to enable Wi-Fi provisioning and services discovery. Two version are currently available: AirKiss2.0, which supports WeChat distribution network and LAN discovery, and AirKiss3.0, which supports LAN discovery and LAN communications.
Fifteen chipset and module manufacturers have joined WeChat Hardware Platform as partners to provide AirKiss-compatible Wi-Fi modules and chipsets. Many of these Wi-Fi module and chipset vendors are also Experts on the HWTrek platform including Broadcom, Qualcomm, MXChip, Ingenic, Broadlink, Shanghai High-Flying Electronics Technology, LongThink Technology, EDOM Technology, and Shenzhen RFStar Technology.
WPI Program Gem offers FREE consulting to assist you in hardware solution selection including module & component consulting for your IoT Project. If you looking for a verified module designed for supporting AirKiss and AirSync or any other application, Program Gem can assist you. Learn more about how can apply for this program to reduce your development time.
AirSync is the protocol for Bluetooth client communication and device pairing allowing the sending and receiving of data between the client device and WeChat. Common devices that use this technology include smart bracelets and other devices that can be used in a number of applications from blood pressure and heart rate monitors, smart scales and blood glucose meters. AirSync supports classic Bluetooth and BLE Bluetooth low energy technology.
Allchips is an international ecommerce platform for electronics components featuring more than 3 million SKUs from over 1,000 leading vendors. Understanding the needs of makers and crowdfunded projects, they support complete BOM cost calculation, from prototyping to mass production. Connect with Rainman Wang for components compatible with AirKiss and AirSync.
Twelve module and chipset manufacturers, as well as distributors, have joined WeChat Hardware Platform as partners to provide AirSync-compatible Bluetooth modules and chipsets. Many of the AirSync-compatible Bluetooth module and chipset vendors are also Experts on the HWTrek platform including Broadcom, WPI Group, Shenzhen RFStar Technology, and Dialog Semiconductor.
COMS.I.T. AG is one the largest independent distributors of IC components in Europe serving a global base of customers. Connect with Markus Reischl to source WeChat IoT Platform compatible IC modules or chipsets.
WeChat jsapi is a javascript web interface that allows hardware manufacturers to operate their devices via Wi-Fi (devices must support AirKiss3.0) or Bluetooth. WeChat Hardware Platform provides the WeChat hardware connection SDK externally to hardware developers to reduce the development barriers to allow their devices to automatically log into the WeChat Cloud.
WeChat Hardware Platform cloud services partners include Ablecloud, Gizwits, Ayla, and Xlink. Ablecloud and Gizwits
AbleCloud provides infrastructure and services for IoT creators to build hardware-intelligence, including cloud accessing, remote management, customized cloud-development, mass data storage and big data analysis. Feel free to connect with Yan Ying from AbleCloud to learn more here.
Guangzhou Wit Cloud IoT Technology a smart home hardware development and Internet of Things (IoT) cloud services platform. They provide intelligent hardware PaaS and SaaS cloud services with a focus on smart home, health, wearables, urban transportation, commercial and industrial applications. Learn more and connect to Zhiliang Xu from Gizwits here.
We’d love to hear from hardware creators that have registered on the WeChat Hardware Platform and are making WeChat-compatible gadgets. If you are interested in creating a smart device that supports WeChat integration, join HWTrek and create a project to get access to hundreds of solutions and programs, as well as experts from the manufacturing and supply chain, that can help accelerate your product development and time to market.
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