Will Apple's new April 2022 policy to remove outdated or non-updated apps effect MTH's DCS app 2018?

So what you are saying is that MTH needs to take the current release of the app make zero changes, and re-release it on iTunes with a new version number and release date to appease apple.

What do you think will become of Lionel's iCab app that hasn't been updated since 2017?

@H1000 posted:

So what you are saying is that MTH needs to take the current release of the app make zero changes, and re-release it on iTunes with a new version number and release date to appease apple.

What do you think will become of Lionel's iCab app that hasn't been updated since 2017?

I have no idea if a "re-release" of the same or a change in font type/size/color would meet the smell test, especially if there might be compatibility issues or red-flagged stale code due to advances in the related operating system environment. As mentioned, maybe someone with real-world app-store experience can chime in with some insight.

Although I have an iPad, I'm primarily an Android or Windows user.  The android MTH DCS app is dated Nov 05, 2018 while the Lionel Lionchief app shows an update date of FEB 15, 2022, and the Lionel Universal Remote Controller updater app is dated Mar 02, 2020.  I'm not familiar w/ the iCab other than seeing its version 2.0.2 is 5 yrs old as you stated and don't see the Android equivalent by Lionel LLC in the Android playstore.  The Apple ios Lionel LCS (ver 3.8.2) is dated 5yrs ago while the Lionel Wireless Camera app is dated 2018.

IMHO, generally speaking why mess with something if an app works as it was designed to work and continues to function properly and maintains the currently accepted system security standards through subsequent operating system updates.  Unfortunately the APP/business world seems to be of the belief and practice to make change for the sake of change with often no material improvement.  Is it self serving and/or job security self preservation?

Seriously what does Apple want MTH to do here, change the color of the buttons, rearranges the screens? I'll check with our app development team tomorrow but I'm pretty sure this will be a non-event.

On another note, the Lionchief app for Android NEEDED to be updated badly. Most of the versions released in the second half of last year didn't work. Not to mention it currently claims that it will work on Android versions as old as 4.4... it doesn't.  The last stable version that worked on Droid 4.4 was 2.4.48a.

The WiFi camera app has gone complete MIA on the Play store, we were never given an explanation for that one and then waited 6 months to get a half baked solution from Lionel which requires you to download the app from their website and enable side loading app from unsecured sources on your device.

Lionel never made an android version of iCab.

MTH could fix all the flaws.  The app is less than perfect.

With my limited knowledge of app technology this could lead to issues.  Apps that aren’t update tend not to work.  As operating systems are upgraded older apps may stop functioning correctly.  That said if you have the mth app on your apple device I do not believe it will be removed but apple will remove it from the App Store.  A simple way to avoid conflict is to have a dedicated apple device for the mth app and then do not update the operating system.  The app should continue to work as normal.  The removal of the app will only effect new users attempting to load it

At the DCS dinner last night, it was mentioned that an updated/improved version of the app is to be released later in the year.

@Zac posted:

At the DCS dinner last night, it was mentioned that an updated/improved version of the app is to be released later in the year.

That will be great, if it happens.  In the meantime, it is likely that Apple will remove the app very shortly.  This will not prevent the app from working, if you have already download it.  Despite not being updated it continues to work with the latest IOS version (beta 15.5.4).  The interim problem may be some of the flaws Gary mentioned.  In order to work around some of those flaws it was necessary to delete and reload the app, which will not be an option until someone releases a new version.

I would like to believe that a new version of the app will be available near the arrival of the new, remoteless, TIU.  Without an app, the new TIU will be a brick.

MTH could just host the App on their own server.

Apple wants fees or a cut of any money the app makes.

Apple claims to test apps for problems before hosting them, so wants $$ for that testing.

Side Loading Apps from a 3rd party source is not a good idea, it forces your users to disable certain security features on your phone that really should be left on.  Apple is already collecting fees from MTH for in-app purchases and Apples testing doesn't include compatibility of devices, they really just scan the app and its functionality to make sure it is not malware, and won't crash the operating system. Apple nor Google are going out and buying train sets from Lionel & MTH to test these apps.

Google has also made an announcement about removing obsolete apps starting on November 1st of this year. Both Apple & Google are wanting there developers to keep apps compatible within the last two years of API level releases to ensure hardware compatibility with the newest devices. The Apps from Lionel & MTH are both compliant & compatible with the most recent versions Android & iOS. But consideration will need to be made for some newer smaller Apple devices that were recently released. The apps work, but some buttons may need to be moved for screen size considerations.  Both Apple and Google want to remove apps that are incompatible with newer versions of their operating systems. So that favorite checkers game that only works on an iPhone 4 thru 7 but not anything newer will get the axe.  Free apps get a lot of this scrutiny because these apps are monetized by ads that produce little to no revenue for Apple or Google.

I spoke with our app development team today and while the MTH DCS  & Lionel iCab apps haven't been updated in a while, they are compatible with the latest API releases from Apple and Google, they should be safe. The main goal with these announcements from Apple & Google is to remove old apps from the stores that are not compatible with the latest & greatest phones & tablets.

@H1000 posted:

Side Loading Apps from a 3rd party source is not a good idea, it forces your users to disable certain security features on your phone that really should be left on.  Apple is already collecting fees from MTH for in-app purchases and Apples testing doesn't include compatibility of devices, they really just scan the app and its functionality to make sure it is not malware, and won't crash the operating system. Apple nor Google are going out and buying train sets from Lionel & MTH to test these apps.

Google has also made an announcement about removing obsolete apps starting on November 1st of this year. Both Apple & Google are wanting there developers to keep apps compatible within the last two years of API level releases to ensure hardware compatibility with the newest devices. The Apps from Lionel & MTH are both compliant & compatible with the most recent versions Android & iOS. But consideration will need to be made for some newer smaller Apple devices that were recently released. The apps work, but some buttons may need to be moved for screen size considerations.  Both Apple and Google want to remove apps that are incompatible with newer versions of their operating systems. So that favorite checkers game that only works on an iPhone 4 thru 7 but not anything newer will get the axe.  Free apps get a lot of this scrutiny because these apps are monetized by ads that produce little to no revenue for Apple or Google.

I spoke with our app development team today and while the MTH DCS  & Lionel iCab apps haven't been updated in a while, they are compatible with the latest API releases from Apple and Google, they should be safe. The main goal with these announcements from Apple & Google is to remove old apps from the stores that are not compatible with the latest & greatest phones & tablets.

You are correct they are safe no need to speculate, after October of this year when the new TIUWIU arrives finally and the Cab three to follow new apps will arrive. The DCS app will include control function as well as ALL DCS loader functions eliminating separate old apps and you will include loading sound files  And yes you can use your old remote TETHERED to the new  TIUWIU only. Lionel has yet to define the final framework of their app its a work in progress. Stay tuned.

As is tradition, the popular narrative doesn't necessarily reflect reality. Apple has apparently been doing this for six years now, and they've recently clarified their criteria for doing so.

https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=gi6npkmf

Just because an app hasn't been updated, doesn't mean the developer (or MTH in this regard) got an email warning them about removal. Even if they did, they can easily appeal, and are given 3 months to update their app.

I have no idea why the media glommed onto this now, but such is the media and the popular narrative of the moment.

Bring back DCS handhelds and TIU's. Hard to believe engineers can't find a workaround obsolete components.

@jini5 posted:

Bring back DCS handhelds and TIU's. Hard to believe engineers can't find a workaround obsolete components.

It's not a question of working around obsolete components, they just don't want to spend the money.  It's much easier and cheaper to just write a software app and toss the ball over the wall for hardware.