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http://www.koamtac.com/ has a bluetooth scanner that can be accessed via the ExternalAccessory framework (so no crappy HID implementation that hides the keyboard). The build-quality of the hardware is a bit flaky IMHO and the UI on that thing is horrendous. Pairing it with an iphone means visiting two menus with abbreviated texts and bad english.

The SDK is definitely done by hardware-people too.

http://ipclineapro.com/ is much better but also significantly more expensive. It's a sleeve you put your iphone in. It has a cool SDK and the build-quality is very convincing. As this uses the dock connector, there's no pairing issues either.

What ever you do: If you want to publish that app in the app store, be prepared for another hurdle, because if you are using any of these devices, you are not only dealing with apple approval, but also with approval by the device maker.

And you'll sign NDAs with both Apple and the device maker.

In that regards, WindowsCE is much nicer. You buy the device, you buy Visual Studio, you develop. No need to ask anyone for permission.



Great info, thank you for the detailed response.




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