You are correct mate, read somewhere on the net about this, now it makes sense....the guy was on about using a 2nd phone?? maybe use the wifes??
Just read this from you...
"The bluetooth is normally used to make the initial comms with the device and give it the wifi config, from then on everything is via wifi. Another approach is to use a phone as a mobile hotspot and then manage using another phone or tablet. (The app cant run on the same device as the hotspot)."
The Smartfire talks via wifi to the cloud. Your app or browser also talks to the cloud. They don't talk directly.
Ice.