Cab3 App wish list

@MartyE posted:

If possible the ability to program hot keys for a variety of function.  Like a button that always makes the PE Berk say "This is the Polar Express".  Again this is all dependent on how the engine programming is as well.  I suspect the call outs are randoms so this probably isn't possible.

Engine info that presents itself via the sensor track and WiFi Monitor such as odometer.

So basically everything that DCS does now?

Allow the user to turn on/off the phone/tablet's vibrate function to replicate the Feedback feature of the Cab2 remote.

@H1000 posted:

So basically everything that DCS does now?

I don't think we are discussing DCS in this thread.

@MartyE posted:

I don't think we are discussing DCS in this thread.

Sorry you're right, but it can be source of inspiration. Why can't we look at somebody else's wheel and see how to make ours work like theirs?

@H1000 posted:

Sorry you're right, but it can be source of inspiration. Why can't we look at somebody else's wheel and see how to make ours work like theirs?

I agree.  Maybe I was quick to dismiss.

Two HW wish items.

• A way to pick the ground signal from the Base 3 similar to what can be done by using the Legacy Base DB-9 connector.  When you have a layout with 7500 ft of track the signal isn't the strongest in all places.
• An ethernet port so you can reliably and easily connect to your home WiFi network.    When you have a 185 x 40 ft. layout you'll frequently be too far away from the Base 3 for it to work reliably. 

@Chris Lord posted:

Two HW wish items.

• A way to pick the ground signal from the Base 3 similar to what can be done by using the Legacy Base DB-9 connector.  When you have a layout with 7500 ft of track the signal isn't the strongest in all places.
• An ethernet port so you can reliably and easily connect to your home WiFi network.    When you have a 185 x 40 ft. layout you'll frequently be too far away from the Base 3 for it to work reliably.

Both excellent suggestions although I have a feeling the hardware is set for this.

@H1000 posted:

Sorry you're right, but it can be source of inspiration. Why can't we look at somebody else's wheel and see how to make ours work like theirs?

Because that's not improving things.  It needs to be better, not just the same.

Mike

I mentioned this elsewhere, but I think it bears repeating.

Video Game Controller Support.

I mocked it up the other day using my MacBook and it is actually a lot of fun. Smart Phones already interface with these controllers; So, I don't think it's too much to ask.  As a backup I am looking into whether I it's possible/feasible for me to develop an app on my own. ie. license the rights.

This is a great thread idea and I've seen great ideas so far.

I wouldn't mind some kind of a split screen interface. Call it "Yard Mode". Then you could control two trains on the same screen. I'm getting better swapping quickly on the CAB2 remote. But having an engine on the left and one on the right of the screen would be cool.

@Mellow Hudson Mike posted:

Because that's not improving things.  It needs to be better, not just the same.

Mike

So when GM mimics the steering wheel controls from Ford and implements their similar version on their vehicles, this doesn't improve the their vehicle? Adding nifty features that many like from DCS into the CAB3 app won't improve the CAB3 app?

@TheRambles posted:

I mentioned this elsewhere, but I think it bears repeating.

Video Game Controller Support.

I mocked it up the other day using my MacBook and it is actually a lot of fun. Smart Phones already interface with these controllers; So, I don't think it's too much to ask.  As a backup I am looking into whether I it's possible/feasible for me to develop an app on my own. ie. license the rights.

Maybe do it without a mouse cursor interface and actually map the button functions though. I don't want to steal from the thunder but I did something similar with the DCS app:  https://ogrforum.com/...9#158533581905469179

I'd also like to see customizable home screens so that buttons and feature we used most can be arranged where we want them.

@BillYo414 posted:

This is a great thread idea and I've seen great ideas so far.

I wouldn't mind some kind of a split screen interface. Call it "Yard Mode". Then you could control two trains on the same screen. I'm getting better swapping quickly on the CAB2 remote. But having an engine on the left and one on the right of the screen would be cool.

Great idea!  If you're running the app on a tablet (or even my Samsung Fold) there's plenty of screen space to implement this.

@TheRambles and @H1000 .... you guys just gave everybody back their remotes haha I didn't know you could even do this!! I started a thread trying to make a touchscreen button adapter for smart phones but I won't even waste my time if you can run things with a common video game controller. That's brilliant!

@Chris Lord posted:

Great idea!  If you're running the app on a tablet (or even my Samsung Fold) there's plenty of screen space to implement this.

I have a rather large smart phone screen so I guess I wasn't thinking about the people with smaller smartphones. But the old Samsung phones could do this with two apps. It was soooooo handy. I used the heck of out. I was switch on my test layout earlier and had a collision because I didn't flip back to a third locomotive in time. This would have solved that if I was using the app.

@H1000 posted:

Maybe do it without a mouse cursor interface and actually map the button functions though. I don't want to steal from the thunder but I did something similar with the DCS app:  https://ogrforum.com/...9#158533581905469179

I'd also like to see customizable home screens so that buttons and feature we used most can be arranged where we want them.

Thank you for posting this. I agree with you about mapping, I just threw my video together as a proof of concept. I'll email you to asking if you're willing to share more on how you accomplished the mapping in your video. I am assuming having an android phone made it a little easier.

In the phone/tablet app :

One button configuration setting functions.   Many settings take multiple button combinations.  Speed limiting is one example. Have a setting page that you can do configuration settings on the active engine with one button.  A max speed button or slider,  minimum speed button or slider.   Setting engine number and on. 

Interactive help/instruction.   Example, when setting engine number have it ask, is engine in PROG mode?  Then when set, Instructions to power off and set engine to run.   I don't want to dig through paper instructions.   

What if there really was a Cab3 but it was a universal dock for your cell phone that gave you a Bluetooth connection to the Cab3 app?  Provided the throttle wheel we all know and love along with the whistle and bell slide control.  Would be nice...

An LCS tab with my layout diagrams and the ability to assign 4 digit address to my LCS devices

A tab that allows the app to stream video from a vision line engine with a discretely placed camera. It would be great if the app could stream video from rollingstock already equipped with cameras.

A tab that simulates some of the gauges on the backhead and the ability to give inputs to the engine that alter those levels

The ability to communicate with a future CAB3 handheld remote ; )

@MichRR714 posted:

What if there really was a Cab3 but it was a universal dock for your cell phone that gave you a Bluetooth connection to the Cab3 app?  Provided the throttle wheel we all know and love along with the whistle and bell slide control.  Would be nice...

A novel idea but try designing a dock that will fit every device with a screen size from 4 to 12 inches.

Good article in run 322 with Dave.  Worth the read.  As for hardware I think it is what it is.

Does anyone know what the 3 digit counter (to the right of the selected locomotive) is for on the new Cab3 APP?

@stangtrain posted:

Does anyone know what the 3 digit counter (to the right of the selected locomotive) is for on the new Cab3 APP?

It's a numerical display for the throttle position.

I mentioned in the other Cab3 thread that got nuked that it would be great to have a proper iPad version released in addition to the iPhone version.  It would be easier to read, have more room for customization, and allow for operation that isn’t interrupted by phone calls. It would be great to have an iPad mode in which a basic control window for the three (for example) engines being operated could be viewed side-by-side instead of having to toggle between three separate screens for each engine. With a good iPad version, I could warm to the idea of giving up my Cab2s.  

Ability to do as many recordings as you like, storing them on the phone/tablet.  The third party PC software offers this already, but I like the idea of being able to create a layout map which the PC software does not.

I like this thread! It is very good for us to know what users want so I'll check back from time-to-time.

@stangtrain posted:

Does anyone know what the 3 digit counter (to the right of the selected locomotive) is for on the new Cab3 APP?

Yes, that is the animated speed step counter. You can slide the throttle and still know the precise speed step you're setting.

Added: We plan to have the App work on tablets as well. I like the bigger screens!

I'm still on CAB1 with the antenna, so don't know, but can't you already use an app with the wifi module?  CAB3 will be the same app as that, right?  Or is the CAB3 a redesigned and new app?  I see people on youtube clicking on switches on a little map of their layout, that's the Lionel app, right?

One app feature I've found myself needing is a way to lock kids out of buttons/menus other than the basic train operation when needed.  My kids always end up in the menus of the lionchief app rather than focusing on blowing the whistle, ringing the bell,  and using the throttle.   (Locking out electro- couplers separately from locking out the other menus would be even better).

*edit* it would be nice to have this change made available for the new app that is forthcoming

That's a good point.  Maybe there could be a 'children's app' -- made specifically for children with a simpler interface and limited controls?  A way to assign some controls to specific buttons to highlight features to make them more prominent.

@Brian DeFazio posted:

One app feature I've found myself needing is a way to lock kids out of buttons/menus other than the basic train operation when needed.  My kids always end up in the menus of the lionchief app rather than focusing on blowing the whistle, ringing the bell,  and using the throttle.   (Locking out electro- couplers separately from locking out the other menus would be even better)   

Customizable home screens with buttons you want for certain users based on profile level access... I think this would be great. as they get older and more responsible, you can modify their profile and give them access to more features.

@Cathryn Mataga I do believe the Lionchief app is not the same as the CAB3 app. I think the CAB3 app is its own app that works to run conventional (with the right equipment) on down to the latest in Legacy. (I sure hope I got that right)

@BillYo414 posted:

@Cathryn Mataga I do believe the Lionchief app is not the same as the CAB3 app. I think the CAB3 app is its own app that works to run conventional (with the right equipment) on down to the latest in Legacy. (I sure hope I got that right)

Cab3 App is designed to run everything from Legacy to LC RF engines.  With as you said the proper equipment conventional engines as well.

@BillYo414 posted:

@Cathryn Mataga I do believe the Lionchief app is not the same as the CAB3 app. I think the CAB3 app is its own app that works to run conventional (with the right equipment) on down to the latest in Legacy. (I sure hope I got that right)

Correct, but that's what my experience behind the request is based upon.  And yes, I'm looking for this option for the new App that is forthcoming.

A feature I would like would be the option, in settings, to have a confirmation on the emergency halt button so that it is harder to trigger by accident.  Or maybe just a requirement that the button be held for a second or two.

Andy

Regarding the the cab3 and Base3 4 digits is it only 4 digits or can it do 3 digits as well? I am just hoping they took that into account and that should eliminate lots of issues with capacity.

@Andy Hummell posted:

A feature I would like would be the option, in settings, to have a confirmation on the emergency halt button so that it is harder to trigger by accident.  Or maybe just a requirement that the button be held for a second or two.

Andy

This is already implemented on iCab so I suspect it will carry forward.

My suggestion, Lionel could have a 'guest app' that's free.  That way, guests come over to a club, they download the guest app and get ability to drive trains around in some limited way that would be controlled by the base -- this way it's safe.  But then, also, since this app is on their phone, Lionel could use it to sell hats and entry-level train sets, things like this. (I work in iOS/Android game dev, is the context here.)

I would like to look down upon my  iPad screen and see engine controls on the bottom half with the top half video view.  That video view could be fed from a camera in the locomotive (future development?), cupola camera, or layout camera (from your own IP camera around layout).  

This would truly be “Vision” Line development.   There is a little miniature engineer in each one of us so we want to see what it would be like to look down those rails at upcoming signals, switches and crossings.    

And another thing…..
CAB3 programming should be “smart” enough to allow us to address all locomotives with 4 digit road number.   The software would take the address, say “3985” and based on a lookup we input, provides signal out on two digit “85”.  

Examples:

3985=85 for older

3812=3812 for newer.  

Do this “conversion” in the CAB3 since it sounds like the Base3 was not designed for it.  That would get me to buy sooner than later.  

Speaking of DCS, the MTH DCS App has plus and minus buttons to change speed with finer control than using the speedometer dial. I hope the Cab3 App will be updated with something like that in the future. A new Cab3 remote is a good idea, too. On an I-Pad, the Cab3 App could also have the LCS App layout map on a tab with all the accessories, switches, and other stuff so operators could easily switch between running their trains and operating their layout.