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2016

  • 2 min read

Lessons Learned from an IoT Project

Last year, I worked on an Internet of Things (IoT) project focused on a Bluetooth smart gadget. The experience differed significantly from pure software development in several ways:

Firstly, integration posed a challenge because the project's mechanical, firmware, mobile app, and design components were outsourced to multiple vendors. These vendors had geographically dispersed teams and varying work cultures. When developers are so specialized in their fields that they work in silos, the Scrum model is unlikely to function effectively.

Secondly, the duration of hardware iterations far exceeded that of software iterations, making it difficult to adapt to changes. Unlike software, which can be easily modularized, many hardware components like chips and motherboards are interconnected. This situation pushes the development process toward a more waterfall-like approach. You either receive the entire prototype or nothing at all; there's no middle ground for delivering a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) for consumer testing. The absence of early user feedback further hampers the feature prioritization process.

Thirdly, diagnosing issues becomes particularly challenging when things go wrong. It's difficult to determine whether the problem lies in the mechanical design, firmware, or mobile app development. Additionally, end-to-end testing becomes more complex as interfaces evolve. Conducting tests without comprehensive hardware automation was also time-consuming. To alleviate this, it's essential to have clearly defined and testable acceptance criteria, ensuring a strict definition of "done."

Effective communication is crucial for the success of any IT project, especially when various aspects aren't progressing as planned. Finger-pointing and defensiveness can severely damage interdepartmental relationships. Effective communication requires empathy; try to understand issues from the other person's perspective instead of reacting emotionally or judgmentally.

Customers assess performance based on the value they derive from a product. Adopting an empathetic and problem-solving mindset can reduce wasted time and effort, thereby improving overall performance. I look forward to the product's release and the positive reactions from its end-users.

  • in podcast
  • 2 min read

Lessons Learned from an IoT Project

Hello, and welcome to Continuous Improvement, the podcast where we explore the challenges and triumphs of project development in the ever-evolving landscape of technology. I'm your host, Victor, and today we're discussing a topic close to my heart: the experience of working on an Internet of Things project.

Last year, I had the opportunity to work on a fascinating project focused on a Bluetooth smart gadget. But let me tell you, it was quite a departure from pure software development. Today, I want to share with you some of the unique challenges I faced and the lessons I learned along the way.

One of the major challenges I encountered was the integration of various components. You see, different aspects of the project, such as mechanical, firmware, mobile app, and design components, were outsourced to multiple vendors. And to make things even more complex, these vendors had geographically dispersed teams and different work cultures. It was like putting together a puzzle with pieces from different boxes.

When developers are so specialized that they work in silos, the standard Scrum model doesn't function as effectively. Collaboration becomes essential, and that's when effective communication truly shines.

Another hurdle I faced was the difference in duration between hardware and software iterations. Unlike software, which can be easily modularized, hardware iterations take a much longer time. This made adapting to changes and delivering a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) for consumer testing quite challenging. And without early user feedback, prioritizing features became a tough task. It almost felt like a waterfall-like approach in a fast-paced technology world.

Additionally, diagnosing issues became a puzzle of its own. With multiple components from different vendors, it was difficult to determine whether problems stemmed from mechanical design, firmware, or mobile app development. End-to-end testing also grew more complex as interfaces evolved. And without comprehensive hardware automation, testing became a time-consuming process.

So, what did I learn from these unique challenges? Well, it all comes down to effective communication and problem-solving mindset. Empathy is crucial. Instead of pointing fingers or becoming defensive, it's vital to understand issues from the other person's perspective. Building strong interdepartmental relationships is essential for the success of any IT project.

Customers judge the performance of a product based on the value they derive from it. By adopting an empathetic and problem-solving mindset, we can reduce wasted time and effort, ultimately improving overall performance.

And with that, we've reached the end of today's episode. I hope you found my insights into IoT project development valuable. Remember, embracing continuous improvement is key to succeeding in this ever-changing landscape.

Join me on the next episode of Continuous Improvement, where we'll dive into another fascinating topic. Until then, happy developing!

  • in zh
  • 1 min read

從物聯網項目中吸取的教訓

去年，我參與了一個專注於藍牙智能裝置的物聯網（IoT）項目。這個經驗與純軟體開發在幾個方面有顯著的不同：

首先，集成帶來了挑戰，因為項目的機械設計、固件、手機應用程式和設計組件被分包給多個供應商。這些供應商有地理上分散的團隊和不同的工作文化。當開發人員在他們的領域專門化到組織成獨立的群體時，Scrum模型不太可能有效運行。

其次，硬體迭代的時長遠超過軟體迭代，使其難以適應變化。與軟體不同，軟體可以輕易被模塊化，許多硬體組件如晶片和主機板卻是相互關聯。這種情況推動了開發過程向著更像瀑布模型的方向。你只能收到整個原型或者一無所有；沒有傳遞一個用於消費者測試的最小可行產品（MVP）的中間地帶。早期用戶反饋的缺乏進一步阻礙了特性優先級的確定過程。

第三，當事情出錯時，診斷問題尤其具有挑戰性。很難確定問題是出在機械設計、固件還是手機應用程式的開發。此外，隨著介面的演變，端到端的測試變得更加複雜。在沒有全面的硬體自動化的情況下進行測試也很耗時。為了緩解這一點，有必要明確並可驗證的接受準則，確保“完成”的嚴格定義。

對任何IT項目的成功而言，有效的溝通至關重要，特別是當各個方面沒有按計劃進展時。指責和防衛可以嚴重損害部門之間的關係。有效的溝通需要同理心；嘗試從他人的角度理解問題，而不是情緒化或判斷式地反應。

客戶根據他們從產品中獲得的價值來評估性能。採取同理心和解決問題的思維方式可以減少浪費的時間和精力，從而提高整體性能。我期待著產品的發佈和最終用戶的積極反饋。

  • 1 min read

How to Fix iOS 10 Permission Crash Errors

I've been developing an app that requires access to the user's microphone.

The app worked fine on iOS 9, but after upgrading to iOS 10, it started crashing. The error message displayed in the terminal reads as follows:

> This app has crashed because it attempted to access privacy-sensitive data without a usage description. The app’s Info.plist must contain an NSMicrophoneUsageDescription key with a string value explaining to the user how the app uses this data.
> (lldb)

To resolve this issue, edit the Info.plist file as source code and add the following lines:

    <key>NSMicrophoneUsageDescription</key>
    <string>Provide a description explaining why your app needs microphone access.</string>

Additionally, if your app needs access to the user's camera, add the following:

    <key>NSCameraUsageDescription</key>
    <string>Provide a description explaining why your app needs camera access.</string>

If your app requires access to the user's contacts, add this:

    <key>NSContactsUsageDescription</key>
    <string>This app requires access to your contacts.</string>

Happy coding!

  • in podcast
  • 2 min read

How to Fix iOS 10 Permission Crash Errors

Welcome to Continuous Improvement, the podcast where we delve into the world of app development and discuss common issues developers face on a regular basis. I'm your host, Victor, and in today's episode, we're going to address a problem that many of us have encountered - app crashes after an operating system update. Specifically, we'll be focusing on an error related to privacy-sensitive data access while using the microphone on iOS 10.

So, picture this: You've developed an amazing app that runs smoothly on iOS 9. Everything is going great until you make the daring decision to upgrade to iOS 10. Suddenly, your app starts crashing, leaving you puzzled and frustrated. But fear not, my fellow developers! I am here to guide you through this ordeal.

The error message that appears in the terminal states, "This app has crashed because it attempted to access privacy-sensitive data without a usage description. The app’s Info.plist must contain an NSMicrophoneUsageDescription key with a string value explaining to the user how the app uses this data." Quite a mouthful, right?

The solution is quite straightforward. To resolve this crash caused by microphone access, we need to make a quick edit in the Info.plist file. Essentially, we'll be adding a description about why our app needs microphone access, so that it complies with iOS 10's privacy requirements.

So, let's jump into it. Open your Info.plist file as source code and insert the following lines:

    <key>NSMicrophoneUsageDescription</key>
    <string>Provide a description explaining why your app needs microphone access.</string>

By adding this snippet to your Info.plist file, you're providing a clear message to users about why your app requires microphone access. This is a crucial step to ensure compliance with iOS 10's privacy rules.

Now, let's not forget about potential crashes related to camera or contacts access. If your app requires these permissions, be sure to include the appropriate lines in your Info.plist file as well.

For camera access:

    <key>NSCameraUsageDescription</key>
    <string>Provide a description explaining why your app needs camera access.</string>

And for contacts access:

    <key>NSContactsUsageDescription</key>
    <string>This app requires access to your contacts.</string>

Remember, providing users with clear and concise explanations for why your app needs these privacy-sensitive permissions is vital to maintaining user trust and satisfaction.

And that's it! By making these edits, you'll be able to successfully prevent crashes caused by privacy-sensitive data access after updating to iOS 10.

Well, that's all for today's episode. I hope you found this information useful and it helps you overcome the microphone access crash issue.

If you have any questions or topics you'd like me to cover in future episodes, feel free to reach out to me on Twitter @VictorDev.

Thanks for tuning in to Continuous Improvement. Until next time, happy coding!

  • in zh
  • 1 min read

如何修復 iOS 10 權限崩潰錯誤

我一直在開發一款需要訪問用戶麥克風的應用程序。

該應用在 iOS 9 上運行正常，但在升級到 iOS 10 之後，它開始崩潰。終端顯示的錯誤消息如下：

> 此應用程序已崩潰，因為它試圖訪問隱私敏感數據而未提供使用說明。應用程序的 Info.plist 必須包含一個 NSMicrophoneUsageDescription 鍵，並提供一個字符串值解釋應用程序如何使用這些數據。
> (lldb)

要解決此問題，按源碼編輯 Info.plist 文件並添加以下行：

    <key>NSMicrophoneUsageDescription</key>
    <string>提供一個說明，解釋您的應用為何需要訪問麥克風。</string>

此外，如果您的應用需要訪問用戶的相機，請添加以下內容：

    <key>NSCameraUsageDescription</key>
    <string>提供一個說明，解釋您的應用為何需要訪問相機。</string>

如果您的應用需要訪問用戶的聯繫人，請添加以下內容：

    <key>NSContactsUsageDescription</key>
    <string>此應用需要訪問您的聯繫人。</string>

祝你編碼愉快！

  • 2 min read

The Future of FinTech in Hong Kong

I was often told by my teachers that Hong Kong is an international financial center. Indeed, in our highly competitive corporate environment, we enjoy economic success daily. However, Hong Kong currently lags in the FinTech revolution. Singapore has seized this opportunity and has aggressively moved ahead. The Singaporean government has played a crucial role in attracting FinTech companies by providing incentives and clear regulations. Moreover, the extensive client base available to mainland China's FinTech firms has enabled them to thrive in ways that Hong Kong companies haven't.

The challenge is clear: Hong Kong's risk-averse mentality is slowing the progress of the FinTech industry. As an IT consultant, I've heard numerous individuals in the banking sector express concerns about innovations like blockchain, Bitcoin, and mobile payments. They fear these technologies could disrupt their businesses, jeopardize jobs, and result in big companies failing to adapt.

However, there's a silver lining: Hong Kong is home to a large number of innovative and creative individuals. Our community boasts a diverse group of thinkers, builders, and leaders. We have the potential to assemble outstanding teams that can inspire and contribute to the creation of the world's best FinTech ecosystem. Now is the time to elevate our awareness and reimagine what is possible when financial technology serves as a catalyst for positive industry transformation.

In my opinion, this is the desired outcome: we are guiding global financial technology to become more human-centered. Our current legal sandbox policy allows companies to test their innovative ideas in the marketplace. These financial technologies have the potential to positively impact people's lives around the globe. Together, let's utilize the language and tools of FinTech to reestablish Hong Kong as the regional hub for FinTech commerce.

  • in podcast
  • 2 min read

The Future of FinTech in Hong Kong

Welcome, everyone, to another episode of "Continuous Improvement." I'm your host, Victor. Today, we're diving into a topic that hits close to home for us here in Hong Kong - the FinTech revolution. Now, it's no secret that Hong Kong is an international financial center, but it's time to take a hard look at where we stand in the world of FinTech.

You see, while we enjoy economic success in our highly competitive corporate environment, our neighbors in Singapore have seized the opportunity and aggressively moved ahead in the FinTech race. The Singaporean government has played a crucial role in attracting FinTech companies by providing incentives and clear regulations. Furthermore, mainland China's FinTech firms have thrived on the extensive client base available to them.

The challenge is clear - Hong Kong's risk-averse mentality is slowing the progress of our own FinTech industry. Many individuals in the banking sector express concerns about disruptive technologies like blockchain, Bitcoin, and mobile payments. They fear that these innovations could jeopardize their businesses and result in failure to adapt.

But here's where the silver lining comes in. Hong Kong is home to a diverse group of innovative and creative individuals. We have the potential to assemble outstanding teams that can inspire and contribute to the creation of the world's best FinTech ecosystem. It's time to elevate our awareness and reimagine what is possible for our city when financial technology serves as a catalyst for positive industry transformation.

In my opinion, this is the desired outcome - guiding global financial technology to become more human-centered. We're fortunate to have a legal sandbox policy that allows companies to test their innovative ideas in the marketplace. These financial technologies have the potential to positively impact lives around the globe. Together, let's utilize the language and tools of FinTech to reestablish Hong Kong as the regional hub for FinTech commerce.

Before we wrap up for today, I encourage you all to join the conversation. What steps do you think Hong Kong needs to take to catch up in the FinTech revolution? Share your thoughts and ideas with us via our website or social media channels.

That's all for today's episode of "Continuous Improvement." Thank you for tuning in, and remember, growth comes through continuous improvement. Until next time!

  • in zh
  • 1 min read

香港金融科技的未來

我經常被我的老師告知，香港是一個國際金融中心。確實，在我們競爭激烈的企業環境中，我們每天都享受著經濟的成功。然而，香港目前在金融科技的革命中落後了。新加坡已經抓住了這個機會，並積極地前進。新加坡政府在吸引金融科技公司方面起著至關重要的作用，他們提供了激勵措施和明確的規章制度。此外，中國內地金融科技公司可用的廣大客戶基礎使得他們能夠以香港公司無法實現的方式蓬勃發展。

挑戰十分明顯：香港過於保守的心態正在減緩金融科技行業的進步。作為一名 IT 顧問，我聽到許多銀行業的人對像區塊鏈、比特幣和移動支付等創新科技表示擔憂。他們擔心這些技術可能會破壞他們的業務，威脅工作，並導致大公司無法適應。

然而，這裡有一線希望：香港擁有大量的創新和創造力的個體。我們的社區擁有多樣化的思考者，建設者，和領導者。我們有可能組建優秀的團隊來啟發並為創造世界上最好的金融科技生態系統做出貢獻。現在是提高我們的意識，重新想象當金融科技作為正向產業轉型的助推器時，可能會發生什麼。

依我看，這是我們期望的結果：我們正引導全球的金融科技變得更以人為本。我們目前的法律沙盒政策允許公司在市場上測試他們的創新想法。這些金融科技有可能對全球人民的生活產生積極的影響。讓我們一起利用金融科技的語言和工具，將香港重新建立為金融科技商業的區域中心。

  • 3 min read

What is Blockchain and How is It Used?

Many of my friends have been asking about the emergence of the blockchain revolution. According to recent news, four of the world's largest banks have teamed up to develop a new form of digital cash. This digital cash aims to become an industry standard for clearing and settling financial trades over blockchain technology. Meanwhile, Ripple has raised $55 million in Series B funding. In my opinion, there's no doubt that blockchain has the potential to disrupt traditional banking.

What Is It?

Blockchain is a data structure that serves as a digital ledger for transactions. This ledger is shared among a distributed network of computers, numbering in the millions. Utilizing state-of-the-art cryptography, the technology securely manages the ledger. Blockchain operates on a consensus model: every node agrees to every transaction, thereby eliminating the need for a central counterparty (CCP) in traditional settlement processes.

How Is It Used?

Blockchain offers broad implications for cross-currency payments by making them more efficient. It eliminates time delays and reduces back-office costs. In response to growing customer demands for faster, lower-cost global payments, blockchain allows for direct bank-to-bank settlements. Some applications of this technology include remittance services for retail customers, international transactions, corporate payments, and cross-border intra-bank currency transfers.

What is the Innovation?

The technology offers the opportunity for transactions to occur without needing to know who the other party is. Its most innovative feature is the idea of a distributed database, where trust is established through mass collaboration rather than through a centralized institution responsible for authentication and settlement.

What Problems Could Be Solved?

The potential applications of blockchain extend beyond the financial market. This technology could provide an immutable record that can be trusted for various uses. Current identity infrastructure is easily compromised; however, in a blockchain, once a block of data is recorded, it becomes very difficult to alter. Thus, it can be used for genuine privacy protection. Whenever someone attempts to add data to the blockchain, all existing copies run algorithms to verify the transaction. Malicious attempts to defraud the system are rejected, while proposed transactions are approved when a majority of nodes agree on their validity by cross-referencing the blockchain history. As a result, blockchain could serve as the basis for an open protocol for web-based identity verification, creating a 'web-of-trust' and storing data in an encrypted format.

References
  1. Martin Arnold, "Big banks plan to coin new digital currency," Financial Times, August 24, 2016, Financial Times Article
  2. Alyssa Jarrett, "Ripple Raises $55 Million in Series B Funding," Ripple official website, September 15, 2016, Ripple Article
  3. Don Tapscott, Alex, and Rik Kirkland, "How Blockchains Could Change the World," McKinsey & Co, May 8, 2016, ValueWalk Article