One of the downside of this app being later and later is those trying to demo it for WiFi day. I'll be doing the demos for my LHS and really have no information on what they would like us to cover let alone the info on the app itself. Not for lack of trying.
Anyone know current status?
Sure, however, those people won't post the status here. 
That is why we do the beta testing. MTH wants to deal with people who let MTH make announcements. It is their APP and they will give out the information.
Marty Fitzhenry posted:That is why we do the beta testing. MTH wants to deal with people who let MTH make announcements. It is their APP and they will give out the information.
And MTH is giving out the information: "The $24.99 PREMIUM version provides the user with full DCS control and more. The PREMIUM versions is slated to deliver in late February 2017."
I certain respect that. After all it is their app. It's also their WiFi day. While app details don't need to be given out before hand, as once released I'll start playing and figuring it out. I'm just hoping the app isn't released the day or so before they want us to demonstrate it. It certainly won't be doing their WiFi day any justice.
I want to put my best foot forward and make sure the information MTH wants customers to be exposed to and highlighted are covered. The premium app is a big deal and needs to be covered, if it does come out in time, the best I can. I owe it to the customers that come into the store.
This is my opinion and my opinion only!! Yes, I would like for the premium app to be released yesterday!!!.....lol. But I would rather MTH takes it's time and make sure that the app works properly out of the box with no bugs. I've waited this long and to wait a few more weeks is fine with me. I have the Standard app and 3 complete DCS systems. If there is something that I want to do with my trains that the Standard app can't do, I'll just pick up one of my MTH handhelds and complete the task.....simple. I was using the handhelds long before MTH announced that the were going with WiFi.........rogerw.
ROGERW posted:This is my opinion and my opinion only!! Yes, I would like for the premium app to be released yesterday!!!.....lol. But I would rather MTH takes it's time and make sure that the app works properly out of the box with no bugs. I've waited this long and to wait a few more weeks is fine with me. I have the Standard app and 3 complete DCS systems. If there is something that I want to do with my trains that the Standard app can't do, I'll just pick up one of my MTH handhelds and complete the task.....simple. I was using the handhelds long before MTH announced that the were going with WiFi.........rogerw.
I would rather have partial functionality with a few documented bugs. There is so much promised in the Premium app. I don't need it all. The two things I really need are track control for conventional trains and TMCC train control. Lashups would be nice, but I can wait. I don't need the accessory control right now.
The nice thing about apps is that you can always release updates to fix bugs. It's not like a peice of hardware that needs to be pressure tested. Although with hardware, you can do firmware upgrades as well.
my two cents...
George
ROGERW posted:This is my opinion and my opinion only!! Yes, I would like for the premium app to be released yesterday!!!.....lol. But I would rather MTH takes it's time and make sure that the app works properly out of the box with no bugs. I've waited this long and to wait a few more weeks is fine with me. I have the Standard app and 3 complete DCS systems. If there is something that I want to do with my trains that the Standard app can't do, I'll just pick up one of my MTH handhelds and complete the task.....simple. I was using the handhelds long before MTH announced that the were going with WiFi.........rogerw.
I feel the same as far as wanting it as close to perfect out of the box (ie minor bugs). I use my phone or ipad to operate the train while using the remote for switches and powering up tracks.
I just hope they didn't come across a big problem
Sparky74 posted:ROGERW posted:This is my opinion and my opinion only!! Yes, I would like for the premium app to be released yesterday!!!.....lol. But I would rather MTH takes it's time and make sure that the app works properly out of the box with no bugs. I've waited this long and to wait a few more weeks is fine with me. I have the Standard app and 3 complete DCS systems. If there is something that I want to do with my trains that the Standard app can't do, I'll just pick up one of my MTH handhelds and complete the task.....simple. I was using the handhelds long before MTH announced that the were going with WiFi.........rogerw.
I feel the same as far as wanting it as close to perfect out of the box (ie minor bugs). I use my phone or ipad to operate the train while using the remote for switches and powering up tracks.
I have found that my phone controls speed much better than the remote. My remote does not reduce speed quickly, while the phone does. I would like to get this same capability for tracks and TMCC. If the remote worked better, maybe I wouldn't be in such a hurry. I already replaced the thumb wheel on the remote once. It still isn't reliable when trying to scroll quickly. The app is pretty fantastic for this.
George
clem k posted:I just hope they didn't come across a big problem
I hope they aren't holding things up because of edge scenarios and minor bugs. Lionel released their Bluetooth app in record time. Maybe MTH should find out who is doing their development and hire them.
I'm excited to see the legacy control of Lionel's Legacy engines. That's the piece i'm working on in addition to track control with the app.
Trainlover9943 posted:I'm excited to see the legacy control of Lionel's Legacy engines. That's the piece i'm working on in addition to track control with the app.
I'll be interested in this too. I want to see how much control the App allows.
Just visited the MTH site. It now says:
- The $24.99 PREMIUM version provides the user with full DCS control and more. The PREMIUM versions is slated to deliver in March 2017.
I'm disappointed but not surprised.
Tony
I did a bit more digging. It appears that the Wifi day scheduled for March 11 is off. Read into this anyway you want but to me that means the full app won't be available for at least a few more weeks.
Tony
Yeah this is sad but somehow predictable. Do these companies realize how silly they look when they make these schedule dates and push them back time and time again or miss them by six months (in this case well over a year.)
Maybe they should just say JUNE of 2017 and that way they can surprise us sometime in April or May instead of dangling this carrot in front of us all of the time.
As always, it will be great... when it gets here.
H1000
Well, I am not buying my second WiFi module until the Premium app is released and I confirm it works for the functions I need. Right now, I am still using the remote, and the WiFi module sits there with its lights blinking at me...
I am surprised it is slated for any day before York week. That's not a complaint, I just figured that's when it would come out.
jhz563 posted:I am surprised it is slated for any day before York week. That's not a complaint, I just figured that's when it would come out.
My gut feeling is making it available a few weeks before York so users have time to try it and work with it and then present any questions they might have to the MTH crew at York rather than wait to debut the app at York itself and then following York have their MTH staff possibly be deluged with calls and emails to their office staff. Wonder too whether MTH might work a special pricing deal with one of their big MTH retailers at York to further encourage and boost WIU sales during the meet.
Also waiting for the Premium APP. Have fully tested the existing DCS WIFI system using PS2 and PS3 equipment.
Recently relocated to Sarasota, Florida from Kansas City, MO.
Looking to start a DCS Users Group in Florida. Any others using the MTH DCS WIFI app locally?
Any update?
I am glad to be a beta ++ tester. I love the ap so far.
John
Any chance MTH would offer the new Premium APP at a special price along with the purchase of the DCS WIFI interface?
A package price would be desired.
Make no mistake, it is a package and you need them both but they're not gonna do that.
I'm pretty irritated about how long this has taken to write this app. I wrote a whole rant yesterday, but didn't post it. As far as I am concerned, this has taken way too long, and before anybody says "these things take time", don't even start with me. I have written iPhone apps in SWIFT in the XCode tool. If you haven't done that, you have no right to correct me.
George
I am also waiting for the app to come out. I hope it is a super dapper with all the bells and whistles.
jbmccormick posted:Any update?
I am glad to be a beta ++ tester. I love the ap so far.
John
By curiosity, how many "Beta Tester" is there on "Full 'premium' wifi app" ? Or just a an idea of how many ? 5 ? 20 ? 100 ? more ?
This is a critical function for the quality to come out.
Rich from MTH said this morning at his TrainWorld visit, the Andriod version should be out in 3 weeks and the Apple version may take a little longer. I am interested in Lionel Legacy control but I am guessing you will still need the LSC WiFi Module and LCS sensor track?
Barry Broskowitz posted:
I am optimist, so I'll conclude there are 99 :-)
kjstrains posted:Rich from MTH said this morning at his TrainWorld visit, the Andriod version should be out in 3 weeks and the Apple version may take a little longer. I am interested in Lionel Legacy control but I am guessing you will still need the LSC WiFi Module and LCS sensor track?
Great... Now I am going to need to pay twice.
I bought the iPhone Standard app, because most of my devices are IOS. I do have an Android phone in a drawer that I can use. Better than nothing I guess.
I am interested in Lionel Legacy control but I am guessing you will still need the LSC WiFi Module and LCS sensor track?
Why would you need a sensor track to run LCS? I run the LCS and iCab apps just fine without one.
The premium version of the DCS App is expected to be able to operate Legacy engines as well as a Legacy Cab 2 controller. What you would need is a Legacy command base, and an MTH cable to connect it to the DCS TIU. You would only need to purchase an LCS module if you desire to use the iCab or LCS apps to operate switch tracks and accessories connected to SC-1s, ASC's, etc.
 | This and a whole lot more is all in “The DCS Companion 3rd Edition!" This book is available from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, or as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store! |
With it being so cold today here in Chicago, I had a great time running trains using the wifi ap. This is GREAT and will only get better.
My son and his friend were very interested in the iPad and how it controlled the trains.
I have LCS and bought their ap as well. If I can run everything off the MTH ap, that is the route I am going.
And now it's cocktail hour...
John
Latest update I got from someone internal at MTH
The latest word (as of yesterday) is that the premium app has now gone to the beta testers so it should be publicly released very soon. The TMCC/Legacy control has caused some of the delay from what I have been told. We apologize for the delay;
The latest word (as of yesterday) is that the premium app has now gone to the beta testers so it should be publicly released very soon
You need a better source of information...
What is the right information?
Lantom posted:What is the right information?
Unfortunately, we sure won't be getting it here. 
The guys who "claim" to know the real status love to remind us they know, but won't say a word. And so it goes....
The guys who "claim" to know the real status
Who are they? I haven't heard any claims of such wisdom?
The people that know can not speak about it. But I will say this there a few people on this forum that are in the know, some are also beta testers. Leave them alone they cannot speak about until MTH release them from the contract. MTH will all let us know about the release soon. I agree my patients is grow thin with MTH with this app and I am looking forward it's release like a child on Christmas.
nvocc5 posted:The people that know can not speak about it. But I will say this there a few people on this forum that are in the know, some are also beta testers. Leave them alone they cannot speak about until MTH release them from the contract. MTH will all let us know about the release soon. I agree my patients is grow thin with MTH with this app and I am looking forward it's release like a child on Christmas.
Agree completely nvocc5. Many of the employee's internal to MTH I have spoken with have stated that they are unable to share much details due to risk of breaking contracts. But with all the info we have so far. It is best that they take all the time required to ensure that it meets and has all the features that it can possibly have. Surely no one wants them to rush and we end up with crap.
The guys who "claim" to know the real status love to remind us they know
Who are these people who "claim" to know anything about the DCS App development status?
As an FYI, nobody outside of MTH has any detailed idea of the day-to-day status of the Premium app's development effort. Further, those of us who are beta testers are the only people outside of MTH who know whether or not a beta test is in progress.
but won't say a word.
Of course we won't, for two very good reasons:
- It would be a betrayal of MTH's trust if we did.
- We would find ourselves quickly becoming ex-beta testers.
One thing I can say for sure is pretty much what Marty F. has said a few times already: it will be available when it's ready for prime time, not before, and you're going to like it a lot!
In the mean time, just sit back and enjoy using the Standard version of the app.
