In a previous blog, I wrote about the advantages of using Android as a user interface for embedded software products. But as popular as Android devices are, companies embedding software in their products can't afford to ignore iOS: as of the end of 2013, there were 300 million iPhones in use, compared to 800 million Android devices.

Making your embedded software product talk to iPhones and iPads used to be cost-prohibitive. But a relatively new Bluetooth smart module has put it within reach. 

No-fail communication systems are, by their nature, crucial. Whether you're NASA communicating with spacecraft or a police officer calling for backup, "no-fail" means it has to work or there can be major consequences. New technologies, such as indoor positioning systems used by campuses and hospitals, are emerging in communication systems engineering to help make these systems more effective. 

Perhaps in no situation is reliable communications more important than in emergency management and response. Police, fire, and ambulances need a robust communications system that is nimble, dependable, and immediate. Emergency circumstances require the coordination of personnel from within and among departments, and response teams from multiple units often must work in concert to resolve difficult and dangerous situations. Communication systems are needed to ensure resources are in place to perform the correct tasks and to maintain the safety of all individuals involved.