Heard the android version of Lionel's Bluetooth App for LionChief plus engines is finally released. Has anyone downloaded and tried it yet?
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
No, it is not released yet. End of the month probably.
Dave Olson posted:No, it is not released yet. End of the month probably.
Thanks for the reply, Dave.
You probably aren't able to tell why release of the Android version has taken longer than the Apple one but can you tell us whether except perhaps for the way the screens might look, will the versions for the two platforms be otherwise identical? Does the Android app for LionChief Plus Bluetooth steam engines have all of the same features, capabilities, and controls that the Apple version has?
I would suspect it would be exactly the same. Why have it differnt as it would only be confusing to folks.
ogaugeguy posted:Dave Olson posted:No, it is not released yet. End of the month probably.
Thanks for the reply, Dave.
You probably aren't able to tell why release of the Android version has taken longer than the Apple one but can you tell us whether except perhaps for the way the screens might look, will the versions for the two platforms be otherwise identical? Does the Android app for LionChief Plus Bluetooth steam engines have all of the same features, capabilities, and controls that the Apple version has?
It's taking longer because Android coding is a whole different beast than iOS. The code work is different/more complex, you have a LOT more devices out there that you have to be compatible with; I.E. Samsung, LG, HTC, Sony, Huawei, etc etc not to mention tablets. With iOS, it's iPhones and iPads. So there are a few bugs left to work out still.
We're designing the APP to be identical on both platforms. There may be a couple of small differences simply because the two platforms are so different. For example, the Android version might have a 'search' button to scan for engines where on Apple it does it automatically.
If you watched my video on demonstrating Legacy w/ Bluetooth, I was using my Samsung phone with the APP in its current state.
Dave Olson posted:ogaugeguy posted:Dave Olson posted:No, it is not released yet. End of the month probably.
Thanks for the reply, Dave.
You probably aren't able to tell why release of the Android version has taken longer than the Apple one but can you tell us whether except perhaps for the way the screens might look, will the versions for the two platforms be otherwise identical? Does the Android app for LionChief Plus Bluetooth steam engines have all of the same features, capabilities, and controls that the Apple version has?
It's taking longer because Android coding is a whole different beast than iOS. The code work is different/more complex, you have a LOT more devices out there that you have to be compatible with; I.E. Samsung, LG, HTC, Sony, Huawei, etc etc not to mention tablets. With iOS, it's iPhones and iPads. So there are a few bugs left to work out still.
We're designing the APP to be identical on both platforms. There may be a couple of small differences simply because the two platforms are so different. For example, the Android version might have a 'search' button to scan for engines where on Apple it does it automatically.
If you watched my video on demonstrating Legacy w/ Bluetooth, I was using my Samsung phone with the APP in its current state.
Thanks for the video link, Dave. it was very enlightening. Btw, will there be one or more than one version of this Android app and how much will it cost or will it be free?
Dave Olson posted:No, it is not released yet. End of the month probably.
So Dave, any update on its status? Will it be available by this Sunday or is its release being pushed back to a later date? Btw, when it's released will we be able to download it directly from Lionel's website or will it only be available at the app store?
Downloading a phone/tablet app from a website is a great deal more complicated than downloading it from a website through your phone's browser.
Although a windows version would be cool, barely anyone wants to make apps for windows because windows phones never really caught on.
For those looking for an android version for your Lionel trains go to the play store on your device and load for free blue train While we wait for the new app to arrive, it will give you a taste of controlling your RR. Now I will go back to my I pad. You will need the Lionel WiFi unit to use.
Hey @Dave Olson how's the app coming for Android...Inquiring minds and all that stuff...
He said end of the month......... but not which month, LOL
ogaugeguy posted:dk122trains posted:"...You will need the Lionel WiFi unit to use."
So, I won't be able to use the wifi and home network from my Fios router with the andriod app on my Lenovo and Galixy Tab tablets?? I'll also need a dedicated WIFI unit from Lionel?
He is talking about the existing Wifi apps, the LionCheif app this topic is about is a bluetooth app so it doesn't impact WiFi.
Last bug in the APP is getting the different momentum settings to work properly. Right now, it basically only has one momentum setting.
We should have the APP ready to submit next week and then however long it'll take for the Android store to approve it.
Dave
Dave,
Thanks for the update. I have one of the new Lionchief+ Mikados, and I'm looking forward to being able to control it with my Android phone.
So if I understand correctly. They released their new products with Bluetooth or are going to be released and the app isn't even out yet for Android? Only Iphone???
Train Nut posted:So if I understand correctly. They released their new products with Bluetooth or are going to be released and the app isn't even out yet for Android? Only Iphone???
Yes, currently it is only available for the iphone. I have the app for my iphone and received the new Polar Express Set with BlueTooth. It works perfectly. Here's a screenshot of the app from my iphone.
Neal Jeter
Attachments
Train Nut posted:So if I understand correctly. They released their new products with Bluetooth or are going to be released and the app isn't even out yet for Android? Only Iphone???
Correct. We started development of the Android APP near the end of last year, but it has been a very difficult build compared to the Apple version. We've run into many problems that were unexpected, so that's the reason it isn't out yet. Android coding has proven to be much more difficult than Apple because Android doesn't get along with Bluetooth very well, so we've had to use some very tricky and frankly intelligent measures in the code to make it work.
I really appreciate everyone's patience on it, and I know people won't be disappointed when we get it released.
Okay, Dave. But as soon as you work out those final momentum bugs it still won't be available for a direct download from the Lionel website but instead will have to wait possibly a few weeks longer to download it from the App store? Unlike MTH's app available either directly from MTH's website OLR the App store,, Lionel's app wont be available from BOTH the App store AND you, the manufacturer?
BTW, will this app be free or have a cost like MTH's premium app has a cost?
Dave,
How is the fix for the bug in coding for the LC+ Universal Remote coming along? As of the first part of September...you mentioned it might be a few weeks. My LC+ Universal Remote would malfunction at about the 7 minute mark, caused all locomotives under its control to suddenly stop and requires that they all be restarted in order for the remote to be used. Because of this, it does not get used, is in the box it came in and remains stored on a shelf .
Guess another question would be, considering that I have had the LC+ Universal Remote since the end of December 2016...and the fact being it has not been usable...will the warranty be extended out for 12 months from the date that a fix is finally provided/furnished and the LC+Universal Remote is actually useable ?
Thanks
ogaugeguy posted:direct download from the Lionel website but instead will have to wait possibly a few weeks longer to download it from the App store?
All APPs go through the APP Store whether it's Android or Apple. "Direct Download" is just a link to the APP Store. APPs are required to be approved.
PDDMI posted:Dave,
How is the fix for the bug in coding for the LC+ Universal Remote coming along?
Code is ready. Waiting for the APP to be approved. I'll have a thread and video about this once ready. Don't worry about your warranty. The update isn't dependent upon that.
So does the universal remote warranty extend to start from the time the app is finally released??
Train Nut posted:So does the universal remote warranty extend to start from the time the app is finally released??
The warranty is 1 year and has nothing to do with the update.
Analogy - you have a 1 year warranty on your cell phone, but you continue to receive updates well past that period.
This is just a firmware update and does not affect the warranty.
Again, I will explain everything once it is ready.
Dave Olson posted:Train Nut posted:So does the universal remote warranty extend to start from the time the app is finally released??
The warranty is 1 year and has nothing to do with the update.
Analogy - you have a 1 year warranty on your cell phone, but you continue to receive updates well past that period.
This is just a firmware update and does not affect the warranty.
Again, I will explain everything once it is ready.
Analogy. You have a universal remote that doesn't work with the trains that you bought it to run. Everyday it's not working is taking a day off the warranties purpose. Not the same scenario. Cell phone you're still able to use most or all of its features. Universal remote - not!
but I returned mine for that reason. So I guess it really doesn't matter to me. I'll think about repurchasing it when everything's okay.
Dave,
My cell phone worked as advertised when I got it, the Non-Universal Universal Remote didn't....
Regardless I'm pleased to hear that a update is in the near future. I purchased 2, and only 1 of my 8 engines worked with it.
It has come in handy a couple of times when folks brought a LC engine for repair and didn't bring the remote. Crossed my fingers each time hoping the remote was going to work. Nice product if the update works as expected.
I would like to thank Dave for taking the time to respond to these threads. He does get beat up at times, and the only other alternative they have is to remain silent and observe. Please don't stop the interaction. It is a good thing!
Jim
Dave Olson posted:Train Nut posted:So does the universal remote warranty extend to start from the time the app is finally released??
The warranty is 1 year and has nothing to do with the update.
Analogy - you have a 1 year warranty on your cell phone, but you continue to receive updates well past that period.
This is just a firmware update and does not affect the warranty.
Again, I will explain everything once it is ready.
My thoughts regarding the warranty extension for the LC+ Universal Remote are as follows.
My original unit was received the last week of December 2016, malfunctioned and did not operate correctly. It was sent to Lionel for warranty service in February (with postage paid by me) and I was then without the remote for one (1) month. When returned to me, it was not fixed and continued to malfunction. So at that point I received another LC+ Universal Remote from Lionel...and it too had the same malfunction. After sending multiple reports and videos to Lionel of the specific problem, it was determined by them, that there was a error in the code and they would work on an update for a fix. So now it is nine (9) months after the original LC+ Universal Remote was first received from the retailer and the remote has not been usable.
If the fix was released today...and it worked?...in three (3) months, or the end of December, the original twelve (12) month warranty covering a new product that would only be useable for three (3) months...would expire. That means that if it quits working a month later for any reason, lets say at the end of January 2018...then the original new product warranty would have expired...even though it had only been used for a total of four (4) months. Not because of anything that I did...but because it was defective when manufactured and marketed to consumers.
I have not been provided with a corrective warranty repair, a workable or usable replacement, nor was I offered a refund.
These are the reasons, in my opinion, that a full twelve (12) month warranty should be provided, once a successful fix is made available by Lionel, for a product that was defective when offered for sale to consumers.
Like always, the only thing going on in this post now are crickets chirping....
Train Nut posted:Like always, the only thing going on in this post now are crickets chirping....
Seems as though you would be “correctamondo”...and it appears that even the crickets have joined up with the “Big E”...and they have all left the building??? 
Train Nut posted:Like always, the only thing going on in this post now are crickets chirping....
I try not to work on my days off as well.
The app and LC+ controller update are not big problems. We still have plenty of other ways to run our trains. I still use the LC+ controller in conjunction with my Legacy remote, the issue is a minor inconvenience with a push of a button to reconnect. And we are worried about the warranty on a $49.99 remote? Really?
SuperChiefer84 posted:And we are worried about the warranty on a $49.99 remote? Really?
Apparently they are! Why shouldn't the consumer?
Train Nut posted:SuperChiefer84 posted:And we are worried about the warranty on a $49.99 remote? Really?
Apparently they are! Why shouldn't the consumer?
Well for 1 it's Lionel, a company we buy $600+ engines from without hesitation because of the known quality.
2. They stand behind thier products as shown by Dave in this thread and on the site as a whole.
3. It's Lionel, a company who isn't gonna stiff you on 6 months of warranty on a $49.99 remote when they are known to repair engines for free long out of warranty.
SuperChiefer84 posted:Train Nut posted:SuperChiefer84 posted:And we are worried about the warranty on a $49.99 remote? Really?
Apparently they are! Why shouldn't the consumer?
Well for 1 it's Lionel, a company we buy $600+ engines from without hesitation because of the known quality.
2. They stand behind thier products as shown by Dave in this thread and on the site as a whole.
3. It's Lionel, a company who isn't gonna stiff you on 6 months of warranty on a $49.99 remote when they are known to repair engines for free long out of warranty.
I must have missed the post saying-
"Of course we'll take care of you". "Don't worry about it"...
"Of course we'll take care of you". "Don't worry about it"..."
I'm guessing this will be done on a case by case basis, depending on whether the repair clearly represents misuse/consumer error or a manufacturing defect/product failure. A company needs to be careful about general statements of that sort.
These are very simple devices that are unlikely to go wrong, is my guess. They'll just send you a new one if it really fails, as opposed to having gone six rounds with your mastiff.
What would be nice in the future would be a bridge between BT and/or WiFi and older TMCC and Legacy control items. That is make your Cell a Cab 1 or 2.
Dave Olson posted:Last bug in the APP is getting the different momentum settings to work properly. Right now, it basically only has one momentum setting.
We should have the APP ready to submit next week and then however long it'll take for the Android store to approve it.Dave
So, Dave, has this app been submitted yet to the Android store for approval? Please let us know since once submitted the App Store usually approves submitted apps within one to two weeks and then posts them.
