Raspberry Pi gains Bluetooth assisted Wi-Fi config tool from Remote.It

Remote.It, a SaaS network connectivity management platform, has introduced a new open-source tool designed to simplify the process of setting up Wi-Fi on the Raspberry Pi 5 and older models. This tool comes as a pre-built OS image compatible with Arm64 boards (Raspberry Pi 3 onwards) and ArmHF, used in most 32-bit Arm v7+ based boards up to the Raspberry Pi 2. Users can easily flash this image onto their Raspberry Pi using popular tools like Raspberry Pi Imager or Balena Etcher.

The Remote.It Bluetooth Wi-Fi Onboarding solution allows users to configure their Raspberry Pi’s Wi-Fi using smartphones or computers, without needing a keyboard or monitor. By registering an account with Remote.It, users can utilize the mobile app to add their Raspberry Pi, scan for its Bluetooth connection, and transfer the necessary configuration details. This streamlined process makes it convenient to get a headless Raspberry Pi connected to Wi-Fi.

Once the initial setup is complete, users can optionally install a Remote.It package on their Raspberry Pi and register the device. This enables the addition of various services such as SSH for secure shell access or support for IP cameras and other networked devices. Additionally, Remote.It offers an organizations feature, allowing users to share access to their remote Raspberry Pis with other Remote.It account holders, facilitating collaboration among team members and remote workers.

Ryo Koyama, CEO and co-founder of Remote.It, emphasized the benefits and user-friendliness of this solution in a press release. He highlighted the Raspberry Pi as a preferred platform for many partners developing edge and IoT devices and noted the challenge of easily onboarding headless devices onto Wi-Fi. This new solution provides a straightforward, drop-in method for quick Wi-Fi setup using a browser or mobile app.

The Raspberry Pi’s popularity stems from its affordability, extensive support, and a growing ecosystem of compatible products. Despite its advantages, configuring headless setups can be intimidating for those lacking Linux skills. Remote.It’s new tool addresses this issue by offering a simplified and user-friendly Wi-Fi onboarding process, making it more accessible for all users.

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