Question: Using bluetooth without using Wi-Fi

[jcasman]

I got this question from the theta360.guide community. Is it possible to use bluetooth without using Wi-Fi at all?

I found this in the API documentation (here): “RICOH THETA authenticates a central device via Web API and Bluetooth API. The camera does not use pairing.”

To me that sounds like you need Wi-Fi to set up bluetooth. Is it possible to set up bluetooth without using Wi-Fi?

[simago]

@jcasman
In case of Theta Z1 and Theta V, You need to call camera._setBluetoothDevice command and set _bluetoothPower" option to ON on WiFi to start using Bluetooth API.

[jcasman]

@simago Do you have information for X? The documentation indicates that X behaves differently with bluetooth. I believe it's easier to configure.

[codetricity]

I believe what you want to know is

Does the THETA X require WiFi connection to use Bluetooth? Or, can a developer use Bluetooth only without WiFi?

The documentation below seems to indicate that the X does not need the authentication steps.

https://github.com/ricohapi/theta-api-specs/blob/main/theta-bluetooth-api/getting_started.md#1-bluetooth-authentication

---

With the X, I can't use the theta-ble-client android-demo even with WiFi turned on.

I get this error

When I click info, I get this error

I'm not able to pull the camera status information

[simago]

Documentation of Theta X Bluetooth API is very insufficient for developers. I will discuss a plan with Theta members.

[codetricity]

@simago is the theta-ble-client demo for Android supposed to work with the THETA X?

@jcasman did you confirm that the developers at the company you spoke to are using the THETA X?

[simago]

@codetricity theta-ble-client demo works with Theta X, but current Theta X provides camera control command v2 service only.

[codetricity]

@simago can you confirm that the theta-ble-client does not work with the X to take a picture?

Please confirm that the only BLE API commands that work with the THETA X are on this screen:

We want to have a clear understanding of the expected capabilities of the theta-ble-client working with the THETA X.

[simago]

@codetricity theta-ble-client demo with Theta X, only following buttons work:

• Connect WiFi
• Scan BLE
• connect (An error message is displayed but Theta X is connecting)
• Camera Control Command V2,
• disconnect
• Scan SSID.

Tapping another button, an error message is displayed since Theta X does not support necessary BLE characteristics.

[codetricity]

@simago thank you for the clear reply. @jcasman let's discuss with the appropriate people interested in this topic.

[jcasman]

@simago thank you, very helpful

[codetricity]

@jcasman I put the information out on .guide https://community.theta360.guide/t/ricoh-theta-bluetooth-sdk-theta-ble-client/9377/6?u=craig