I built one iOS app that controls four different Hisense smart-TV platforms — here's how each protocol works

Short summary

A solo developer built an iOS app controlling four Hisense TV platforms by implementing distinct protocols: VIDAA (MQTT over TLS), Roku (unencrypted HTTP ECP), Google TV (mutual-auth gRPC), and Fire TV (ADB over TCP). The post walks through each protocol's implementation, from discovery via mDNS to pairing flows, revealing why service discovery beats port-scanning and TLS pinning is essential. Six weeks of evening work synthesized into a practical guide for smart-home integrators.

• •Built iOS app controlling 4 Hisense TV platforms with different protocols (MQTT, ECP, gRPC, ADB)
• •Each platform requires distinct implementation: service discovery, TLS handling, pairing UX
• •Key insight: mDNS-first discovery beats port-probing; TLS pinning is critical for consumer devices

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