My son (35 YO) was impressed with the fact that the Lionel Starter Set I got the grandson for Christmas had Bluetooth - "A gamechanger!" he said - when he saw the BT logo on the box.
I don't know IF BT IS a "gamechanger"- but it IS a way to reach a new audience who did not grow up with trains, and sees trains today as an annoyance or just a time to catch up on text messages while stuck at a crossing. Reaching a new demographic might be the key to survival of our hobby. And, if "Thomas", Polar Express, Mickey Mouse, and/or Bluetooth, or even the "Area 51" or "futuristic" what-if trains do that- great!!
While the Remote w/ LionChief and LC+ is limited (few buttons) - with the Bluetooth and a phone I can change sound levels, and turn on/off features. Even an old guy like me (who would buy a rotary-dial cell phone if I could) uses BT with my trains for these things. I see BT as a way to actually add functionality to a less-expensive non-Legacy engine.
