@MartyE posted:I respect your opinions but we'll just have to disagree. I just don't see how Lionel could continue to produce a remote in the changing technology landscape. The App is the best route IMO where as features change and evolve so can the app. The remote is limited by the buttons and hardware that was available at the time it is/was produced. Yes features can be added to CAB2 as long as there is a button and memory available. Once that's used up we are back to a new remote or no additional features.
In reality in the near future I don't expect anyone to produce a hardware remote for anything anymore when you can add a feature set with it's own set of controls with a programming code.
There was a time in my business, broadcasting, where a room was filled with button panels dedicated for doing nothing other than switching video and audio signals. Now we have touchscreens that not only replicate the button panels but with a swipe up you can now adjust the parameters of the video signal, operate a video server, transfer files between devices, and the list goes on. Maybe not the best example but 5 years ago I would have never wanted that but the advantages are endless and the cost savings of a tablet running these apps is overwhelming when you consider we used to have to purchase multiple panels to do the less.
Marty as always you are on the money here. Technology is always changing, and things tend to be easier with certain platforms, or even cheaper. As it was said above the cost of building a new remote would be expensive, and within a certain number of years, outdated.
I love my remote, and will always use it until it explodes. If I have to use an app at some point, I guess I'll get there eventually. Until that day comes, I'll keep an eye on how things progress.
While people say foul for no new remote, consider how fast technology changes. If you still have a remote and use it like me, be thankful for that. There will be changes that will inevitably come, you won't be able to stop it. So, do like Rick did, get a backup plan. It will extend your fun if that is what you want to do.
