Merry Christmas!
In case anyone was curious:
As of this morning, I've tested and confirmed that Apple's new M1-based Macs can run both MTH's DCS Wi-Fi app AND Lionel's LionChief app simultaneously. This means that a Mac using Apple's new M1 processor, as opposed to an iPhone, iPad, or Android device, can now operate both types of command control engines (DCS over Wi-Fi and LionChief over Bluetooth) simultaneously without having to switch between apps.
Unfortunately, I've also tested and can also confirm that while Lionel's iCab (iPhone) and LCS (iPad) apps can be installed and execute, they seemingly lack any network functionality and never discover the Legacy base station. I can only speculate as to why these apps fail to function, but I suspect it has something to do with the fact that neither of these apps have been updated in years and are inevitably using very old framework that may be unsupported by the M1 Mac.
I don't (yet) have one of Lionel's wireless camera cars to test the camera app, but given that it's the same generation as the LionChief app, I'm optimistic. I can confirm that it does, indeed, install and execute cleanly.
I should note that none of these apps have been certified by the developers for Mac compatibility. Apple recommends that developers test these apps on the Mac and then notate in the App Store that the app is good to go, but none of these apps have gotten that seal of approval. Furthermore, the developers can block these apps from being accessible on a Mac, if they so choose. Let's hope they don't go that route, since running these apps simultaneously has been a long-standing request and a source of frustration since none of these apps support split-screen multi-tasking on iPadOS (which remains an outstanding feature request, IMHO). In fact, hopefully this new market spurs Lionel to overhaul its woefully old LCS and iCab apps. Fingers crossed!
Happy railroading!
