GGG posted:That list is really larger when you thing about it. LHS is ****ed. He bought a case of those remotes. After getting them he got the letter with sets it doesn't work with. Many of which are sets he has in stock. Especially the PE. So how does this software update occur? They do not have a system like MTH, so do you send your remote in, or do you send your train in? Either way a logistical night mare. G
Nothing needs to be sent anywhere, assuming the original firmware was done correctly. The Universal remote is equipped with bluetooth, In fact it's microprocessor is actually the BLE module. Any update should be as simple as downloading a 'Universal remote' app on to a smart device then tapping an 'update' button on the app. This will send new firmware to the BLE module and update it's functionality. I expect this would be a built in feature of the app that would be needed to select an engine that is not natively supported. I suppose they could program in some convoluted system of button combinations to select engines directly from the remote, but that seems like a messy and overly complex way to do it where an easy to use smart device app could be used.
I must admit I'm disappointed that an app for this purpose wasn't released along with the remote in the first place, after all it was shipped half a year late owing to a redesign to allow this functionality, but from a business stand point it makes some sense to see what the real demand is before committing the resources. I think Lionel did a very poor job here of communicating that the remote would not work with all LC engines, especially for folks that placed orders at the time of announcement. I can only hope an App/Update will be along in a timely manner.
JGL
P.S. GGG, If your LHS ends up stuck with those remotes, send me an email, I might be interested in buying the lot. It's been on the back burner for a little while, but I'm using the guts in my Legacy/TMCC to LionChief bridge project, and I know there's at least enough demand for it to build a dozen.
