Prior to Andy's post I was not going to pre-order the new MTH BiPolars...as it is I still have pause.
I certainly understand the cost factor that Andy brings up...yet the bigger picture MTH may be missing is that some of us desire as-realistic as possible controls when running our trains. Command control was the first revolution towards that goal, but Smart devices fail miserably in advancing the goal.
MTH, and Lionel for that matter, could improve their respective remote controls with throttles and levers that mimic real-train control. Sorry MTH, but Lionel's Cab II remote has achieved more progress on this front - due to Neil Young's creative input on its design. Even if this required a larger device than just put a strap on it and we'd loop it around our necks - just don't make it too heavy 
Make it neat and fun to operate and people will want to build layouts and use it. Put even a bigger screen on it that'd enable on-board train video shots and you've got the best of both worlds.
I don't think I am alone in this-when I run trains I want to get away from the "video-game" and virtual world of Windows that requires staring at screens and moving my fingers across screens to move electrons. While there's a "hey I can do this" factor in running trains that way, it wears off real fast in my experience.
fwiw: It might be helpful if you all put the technical discussion on another thread, way TMI.
