Raytac Jointed Apple HomeKit MFi Program

Standing on marketing perspective point of view, iPhone user are often been viewed as a higher contribution margin group. Not only talking about consumer behavior, but also the motivation looking for device integrated with their own iOS devices.
That explains why HomeKit devices recently has been widely spreading out in Apple stores or shops.

Wireless technology, says Bluetooth or WiFi, is the key role to connect between devices for Apple HomeKit implements. Surely, Bluetooth is more applicable than WiFi, not only easier to connect to iOS devices but also much lower power consumption and higher security level to rich consumer's experience.

Raytac has been devoting to Bluetooth Low Energy module development for several years, started from BT4.0 to the latest. Raytac modules has selected Nordic's solution, which is a highly optimized solution running HomeKit Accessory Protocol (HAP) and application firmware. The ultra-low power even enhance the design and usability for HomeKit devices implements.

After MFi Licenses program jointed, Nordic nRF5 HomeKit SDK is capable to access, Raytac expects to escalate the support ability in terms of hardware and firmware aspects for all customers who are interested in Apple HomeKit implements.

Raytac nRF52840 & nRF52833 Modules

Raytac Corporation 勁達國際電子有限公司

A BT5.1 & BT5 & BT 4.2 module maker based on Nordic nRF52 & nRF51 solution 

(nRF52840 & nRF52833 & nRF52832 & nRF52810 & nRF52811 & nRF51822)

www.raytac.com          email: cs@raytac.com          Tel: +886.2.3234.0208

Summary: FAQ For Nordic BLE Module (BT4.0 Module) & SIG (Bluetooth Logo) Regulation

Raytac Corporation 勁達國際電子有限公司

A BT5 & BT 4.2 & BTv4.1 module maker based on Nordic nRF51 & nRF52 solution 

(nRF51822 & nRF51422 & nRF52832 & nRF52810 & nRF52840)

www.raytac.com          email: cs@raytac.com          Tel: +886.2.3234.0208

Although Raytac has summarized most frequent questions and answers in the blog, there are still so many customers headache about sorting out the needed information.

We, hereby, listed all links as the summary in below and hope can help all readers can find the useful information in one article.

BLE Module Declaration ID (DID) and Regional RF Safety Cost Comparison Chart

http://raytaccorp.blogspot.tw/2014/09/declaration-id-did-and-regional-rf.html?m=1

What the Certification Cost for BT4.0 Products? Why it is cheaper if apply BT4.0 module for finished products rather than chip on board?

http://raytaccorp.blogspot.tw/2014/02/what-certification-cost-for-bt40.html?m=0

A Simple Summary of BT4.0 Bluetooth Certification Listing Process & Fee Revised (effected from 2014/2/1)

http://raytaccorp.blogspot.tw/2014/01/a-simple-summary-of-bt40-bluetooth.html?m=0

What is the influence of new BT listing process if I am building up the products based on BT4.0 Module?

http://raytaccorp.blogspot.tw/2014/01/what-is-influence-of-new-bt-listing.html?m=0

BT4.0 Products for MFi Program

http://raytaccorp.blogspot.tw/2014/05/bt40-products-for-mfi-program.html

What is Bluetooth 4.1 (BT4.1)?

http://raytaccorp.blogspot.tw/2014/04/what-is-bluetooth-41-bt41.html

BT4.0 Products For MFi Program

Raytac Corporation 勁達國際電子有限公司

A BT5 & BT 4.2 & BTv4.1 module maker based on Nordic nRF51 & nRF52 solution 

(nRF51822 & nRF51422 & nRF52832 & nRF52810 & nRF52840)

www.raytac.com          email: cs@raytac.com          Tel: +886.2.3234.0208

As the leading BLE(BT4.0) module maker, we often recieved the customer's request to have the module join MFi Program.

Per  Apple's explanation, a device using only Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) / BTLE / Bluetooth 4.0 or standard Bluetooth profiles is no need to join the MFi Program.

Customers' products, which aimed to connect to an Apple device (iPad & iPhone), based on Raytac's BT4.0 modules does not need to join MFi Program


 Reference data from:
 https://mfi.apple.com/MFiWeb/getFAQ.action#1-1

I want to develop an accessory that communicates with an Apple device using only Bluetooth Low Energy. Do I need to join the MFi Program?

No. Accessories which connect to an Apple device using only Bluetooth Low Energy/BTLE/Bluetooth 4.0 or standard Bluetooth profiles supported by iOS are not part of the MFi Program.

What types of accessories and technologies are not part of the MFi Program?

Accessories that do not use any of the MFi licensed technology listed above are not part of the MFi Program. For example:

• Accessories that use only standard Bluetooth profiles supported by iOS
• Accessories that use only Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE) (note: BTLE-enabled HomeKit accessories and BTLE-enabled MFi Hearing Aids are part of the MFi Program)
• Accessories that connect to an Apple device through the headphone jack and do not use any MFi licensed technology
• Non-electronic cases