Legacy Users Group Breakfast Video is Up! Summary posted as pdf.!

 

I'm very excited about this news. Hopefully I'll get accepted into the beta program. Would really love to help beta test and then discuss this product on Notch 6. These are the kinds of products that help translate to the next generation of model railroaders. Really looking forward to getting this into the hands of non train folks and having them play with it.

Yea very excited and it looked like the legacy remote to .

 

The beta program would bypass the App Store entirely and distribute the app directly to the testers involved.  I say 'would' because we are currently re-evaluating whether it will now be worthwhile for a couple of reasons: 1)  While the response at the LUG breakfast was mostly positive, the reaction out in the halls was, frankly, disappointing; 2) Even though we are an official LCS partner, we were not aware that Lionel had the iCab app coming down the rails (demo'ed at the Lionel booth). There is a saying in the software industry that goes "It is unwise to steal pennies from in front of a steam roller."  Translation: eventually you'll get crushed.  Developing quality apps and running beta programs are expensive endeavors.  If Lionel sets the price for iCab extremely low or (grimace) free, they will destroy our market opportunity and we may not even be able to recoup the development costs we've already incurred. So, adding the cost of a beta program on top of that may be unwise until we know more.

 

So to sum up, given the events on Friday, we still plan to release the app, but the beta program is on hold until we can determine Lionel's pricing intentions for iCab. If and when the beta program is green-lighted, I will post the link in this thread. On a happier note, we have other non-CAB related LCS apps in the works where we are probably much less likely to cross tracks with Lionel.

 

For those of you who spoke encouraging words, thanks!  We think you'll be pleased with LocoCommander. The teaser below is the no-glitz wireframe control surface we're using to make sure we get the basic behavior of classic CAB2 just right. Plans call for the app to offer the choice of alternate control surfaces that simplify the addressing process and eliminate the need to remember and do so many of the AUX1 finger gymnastics that we're accustomed to. The interface below (along with the Keyboard, Speed, and Lighting screens you can't see) have kid-tested very well so far.

 

Warm regards,

//Scott

 

Scott yea that is discouraging . Regardless if you put it up for sale I will buy it . I like your idea and I know my kids would love it .

I have an iPhone 4 that is no longer used since I left the world of Apple and moved onto a Samsung Galaxy 4S (Android Phone). However, I will still look forward to using your application, but also at some point would like to have a version for an Android OS.

Scott

 

That's a bummer.  While I love my Legacy remote, I could see this being big for the kids and just to add another low cost remote to your layout.  Please keep us informed and we hope you join us again at the Legacy Breakfast with anything you might be working on.

I hope you continue developing, I liked what I saw on your demo

I to am very interested in you apps.   You need to get a statement from Lionel on what their intentions are.

I also believe we have seen the last new design of a hardware remote.  The old designs will continue to be made but no new ones.  For the future we will have phone/tablet applications for use as a remote.  All new features will be easily implemented in software.  MTH has also said the same thing.  Hardware remotes are very expensive to design and build. Lionel may want to keep the CAB remote app in house as it develops new engines.

I am more interested in a layout control app. Switching, direction, and occupancy.  

So far the Lionel LCS app is very limited, any news?

The York crowd is an older train group.  You need to demo the app to a younger group at one of the bigger shows.  I bet it would be well received.  Many of the TCA collectors don't even care about command control let alone apps.

I usually just attend the Fall meet at York. See everyone in the Fall.

Let us know how we can help.  

Dan

Thanks Dan, that was both helpful and insightful.  We are definitely going to release LocoCommander, no doubt about it, but we're going to proceed a bit more cautiously until we see what happens with iCAB.  We'll proceed under the assumption that Lionel will release it "July-ish" as a commercial offering at a price greater than $0 in App Store, and hopefully at a level that leaves room for the partners. Nevertheless, our other apps are targeting an area of fun that the Lionel LCS app does not seem on track to address. 

 

//Scott

 

I agree with Dan, seem most of the TCA attendees in the main halls are still debating the merits of a mechanical e-unit vs an electronic one, I think the App audience is younger and at different locations

I was listening with ear phones and it was LOUD.

 

At first I believed I missed something.

Scott,

 

I had no idea you were developing a Cab app.  We do not ask our developers what they intend to do with their access to our technical data under the partner program.  Also, note there are other partners who have come forth such as yourself that are offering Cab apps.

 

Nonetheless - please give me a call, I instituted the partner program and I want this to be a positive outcome for folks who invest time and energy into being a partner.

 

Please email me off line for my number, I firmly believe we can make this work for you!

 

 

Summary is up!

Thanks for reaching out Jon.  I have emailed to the address listed in your profile.  Looking forward to it!

//Scott

thanks for taking the time to record and post a summary for those of who could not attend.

 

One thing came to mind about the possibility of ERR making an add-on sensor board for a boxcar (or caboose).  It would be cool if you could not only tell the board what engine it is pretending to be (IE: UP 8444) but if you could also tell the board generically what type of engine it is.

Example, tell the board it is a small, medium, large diesel/steam engine.  Then the board could have a generic fuel consumption rate (based on size and type). 

You wouldn't get the cool audio effects of refilling, but you could potentially get the bar graph information on the consumption of all your locos this way....just a thought.

Any LINK to the LUG summary?

Page one first post of this thread.

Dan

Thanks Dan. Yes. First post. 

I looked at the video, and it seems my response to question #8 not understood. 

 

The answer I gave was directed specifically to the question of an insulated rail detection; I just embellished the response that the insulated rail section detector could also provide feedback to the LCS system for switch (turnout) position.

 

Currently, if you throw a switch from a non-derail even, the iPad LCS app has no way to update the screen to match the actual switch position.  We will design a module this year to sense the position of the Fastrack Switch, along and the Atlas Non-Derail module, to report back the direction the switch is thrown.

 

The new sensor module will also be able to support insulated rail detection.  We can have the iPad report occupancy with this information.  Obviously without IR, not much else will be reported.

 

Thanks Jon for the clarification.

 

And thank you for supporting our efforts.

This is great news and will be a welcome addition to LCS (I was wondering about switch position from the beginning).

 

My follow up question, and this is a stretch, is there anyway for FasTrack command switches to be upgraded to a point where they could communicate back to LCS with out the sensor module and additional wiring?  

 

The best thing about command switches (in my opinion of course) is the fact that you just plug them in and they work, no extra wiring or messing around needed.  

Lots of fabulous information........thanks to all who made it possible!

 

Peter

Marty, surprise us all in the fall and bring a bunch of LCS components for sale to the attendees!

 

Wow,What a couple hours with Big Mike can do to a person 

 

Marty,and all that help make the meetings possible. Great job as always!!!!

 

 

Doug

I've asked Rich to de-sticky this thread.  We'll have the new one up about a month before the fall meet.

 

Rudy Trubitt from Lionel has indicated that he is trying to make the trip so he'll be able to share all the LCS news.  As previously mentioned, I am going to try to create a demo with all the available LCS components that will be out at the time.

 

See ya in the fall.