I really enjoyed the accessory and switch control video. It is amazing what you have been able to do with the app interface limited to the engine control buttons and slider. I think you’re on the brink of opening up a very useful expansion of the Bluetooth app.
I’ve often thought that lionchief app control of accessories and switches would be great - such as a lionchief Bluetooth gantry crane controlled by the LC app. Updated app interface pages for accessory control would be a plus too, similar to the LCS interface for command control accessories.
I’m not sure if each accessory should have Bluetooth receiver or if there should be a central gateway module that switches electric current on/off to each accessory. I like the idea of only needing power wires to the accessory for simplicity and easy set up, and it’s my understanding that Bluetooth receivers are relatively cheap. The flip side would be the central gateway module with wired control to each accessory which would work with 120 years worth of accessories.
All of this is similar to the current TMCC accessories controlled through the LCS WiFi app and conventional accessories controlled via an ASC2. Bluetooth control has a big advantage though - fewer wires, less hardware, more flexibility through software and the app, cheaper and easier implementation.
I hope you do email them and you can work out some type of development agreement. Even if they don’t now, if you continue to develop your ideas and become a pesky competitor in layout control, they may want to partner or buy out down the road.
