DCS App Update

YES!!!!!!!!!!!

Got it! Thanks and a very Merry Christmas to all at MTH!!!!!

Great news - I'm hoping a DCS Explorer is showing up on my porch today!

Engineer-Joe posted:

YES!!!!!!!!!!!

Got it! Thanks and a very Merry Christmas to all at MTH!!!!!

I knew you would be happy Joe.  Set that max lash-up speed and by golly, have fun with it.  Ha, ha...

Be safe and enjoy the holidays.

HI MTH RD

Cool / I will look for it. I am on an iPhone 7 Plus / Still running v3.0.1

I am ready, my iPhone is set up for automatic upgrades, for all Apps.

No chaos as of today's date all MTH and Lionel locomotives are running.

Merry Christmas: Gary

Great News! I'm updating my app as I type this! The TIU update to 6.10 was great as well - lots of bug fixes and the app interfaces much better now. Thank you @MTH RD and happy holidays!

Hi MTH Road

As of 10PM EST / I have not received the App update for my iPhone 7 Plus still running v3.0.1

The question:

Has MTH Trains sent out the upgrade for us on the Apple side?

I did received it for my Android Google Phone, all OK.

Thanks: Gary

trainroomgary posted:

Hi MTH Road

As of 10PM EST / I have not received the App update for my iPhone 7 Plus still running v3.0.1

The question:

Has MTH Trains sent out the upgrade for us on the Apple side?

I did received it for my Android Google Phone, all OK.

Thanks: Gary

Probably a different timetable for it all to get through the apple machine...

Both my Android devices updated!

Just received a DCS Explorer today - hope to be running -something- by tomorrow!

Both my iOS (Apple) and Android devices auto-updated this morning.

Hi Barry

I am on the phone with Apple Care / We are doing a force restart on my phone, to see why I did not get the upgrade.  I will keep you posted.

Thanks: Gary

Hi Barry

Apple Care has given me a case number and my case has been referred to Apple Engineering.

An Apple Engineer is going to be calling me back from Melbourne, Australia.  On December 25, 2017 around 6PM EST / it will be December 26, in Melbourne.

I do not want to re-install the Premium App, do not want to loss all 20 locomotives in the App. I have relatives coming over for the holiday break and my layout is all working with 3.0.1 

Screenshots from Apple Care Process

I will keep you posted, If you have a plan let me know.......

Gary

thanks just downloaded the latest update 3.0.2

Alan

Gary,

I do not want to re-install the Premium App, do not want to loss all 20 locomotives in the App

First, do an app export and then reset the app. If that doesn't allow the update, delete the app and install the new version.

When all is done, do an import. Nothing will be lost.

When I open the app on either my iPhone or ipad, i get a message to update.  I hit the update and it takes me to the page in the apple App Store.  Nothing happens, so I hit “Open” and it takes me back to the mth app and again I get the message to update.  Basically caught in a loop.  I intend to sit tight for awhile as I suspect something with apple is still transitioning.  I’ll try Barry’s solution in a few days if nothing happens.

my i phone has the update as of yesterday and my i pad.

By the way, i didn’t have to do anything for the last update as it auto-updated.  Wonder why it didn’t happen this time?  Oh well.  Grandkids arriving shortly so don’t have much time to fool with it for now.  

My phone and Ipad did loops also.i tried a few times .then closed out app,then i went to app store an looked in my updates and did it that way,and it worked.if that helps anybody

Thanks Rick R, I had tried that as well and no luck.  The old story, technology is great when it works!   Have a good one!

Good morning Barry, Gary here from the great state of Michigan. Yes: we have snow on the ground and more coming.

We talked about this, other Apps on my iPhone will automatically back up to iCloud,  His records and my iPhone show this not to be the case, with “Wi-Fi” DCS”.  I have propriety accounting App that I use for Drivers Education, this backs up automatically to the iCloud along with in car instructional App.

He also told me that most gaming Apps, & medical Apps back up to the iCloud, automatically.

Hope you are having nice weather in Florida.

Thanks: Gary

@MTH RD ,

with all the fixes and updates that have been coming out for the DCS App in recent weeks, is there any projected timeline when a fix will come that will ramp RPMs up and down relative to the throttle for Legacy engines?

thanks

Gary,

To export or import a DCS App content file, your device must be connected to the Internet. It is not required that it be connected to the WIU.

Make sure that your Apple device WiFi is connected to the Internet via your home network WiFi, or WiFi is off and it's connected to the cellular network, and not to the WIU. Then, when you tap "Export", you'll see an option to E-mail the export as an attachment. E-mail it to yourself using an E-mail address that you can receive on your Apple device.

Then, when it's time to re-import the file, just click on the E-mail attachment on your device and select the MTH app from the list of options.

I suggest that you can do a trial export and import prior to reseting or deleting the app.

Import/Export is discussed in The DCS WiFi Companion 1st Edition on pages 114-115.

Hi Barry & ORG Members.  This video shows how I use MTH DCS Wi-Fi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FixP1L-f0qY

Thanks for the help: I will keep you posted.

Apple engineering wants to know why, my iPhone did not receive the upgrade?  Since I have a lot of guest coming over, I will be in a holding pattern with v3.0.1 until after the holidays. " If it works, leave it alone".  I think Albert Einstein said this.......................?

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year: Gary

All my devises updated automatically, looking forward to trying it out this Christmas weekend

I tried it right away and it worked. I set the max speed at 70MPH on a lash-up. When the grandkids have a device and select full speed by accident, I don't have to worry about a train going to 120MPH!

 This makes me very happy!

I just did a quick check-in.  My IPhone app updated but IPad has not - i suspect that it will too in time.  Have a good one all!

If one of your iOS devices updates and another does not, I'd look at the following:

• Make sure that you're devices are all connected to the Internet oil a WiFi network. Some larger apps won't update if they are only on a cellular network.
• Verify that both devices are logged into the App Store under the same Apple ID (E-mail address).
• Verify that App Autoupdate is turned on.
• Reboot the Apple device by holding in either the Power button plus Home button, or the Power button plus Volume Down button, whichever is appropriate for your device. Hold them in until the device shuts down and then the white Apple logo appears.

Apple Care & Engineering / Pushed it to my iPhone

Received the upgrade and I tested the App for about an hour, all is well. 

Thank-you Barry and MTH Road: Gary

MrMoe50 posted:

@MTH RD ,

with all the fixes and updates that have been coming out for the DCS App in recent weeks, is there any projected timeline when a fix will come that will ramp RPMs up and down relative to the throttle for Legacy engines?

thanks

Unfortunately, I can't give you a specific date as this change will probably be included with a variety of other Legacy/TMCC expansions and enhancements.  If it looks like it will take a while to get the expansion out, we'll release an update just for the revs.

While we seem to understand the underlying issue for speed based diesel RPMs, the Legacy system I have here also does not initiate diesel RPM changes relative to speed.  Said differently, the app works just like the Legacy and Cab 2 on the test engines we have.  I'm wondering if there is some engine setting or other factor in play here.  Why don't the RPMs change on my Legacy diesel(s) when using the Cab 2? 

I just assumed this was some nuance we didn't know about and so, didn't worry about it.  The app sends the exact same commands to the engine as the Cab 2.  More investigation is required here.  It's not as simple as absolute or relative speed, etc.  When I add the Legacy engine into the app as TMCC, the revs come back.  

We'll get it sorted out.  No worries.  

@MTH RD

I'll be so very happy when the day arrives when this issue is fixed. 

Here's the thing. There are a lot of guys, like me, with hundreds of Lionel Legacy, TMCC and conventional engines out there. I only recently purchased two MTH locos, after 40 years in the hobby.

I want to purchase more MTH products, but to move forward, I need a system that can support the trains that I've already invested in. Otherwise, I'll just revert back to my CAB-2 and sidetrack the idea of buying more MTH. Therefore, your app is a very important tool to drive sales moving forward.

But it has to work. That's why I get so upset with app issues like that wacky latency or lag issue which causes variable voltage to lurch out of control. If you fixed that, I might even stop complaining about how the TIU produces variable voltage using an unseemingly sharp waveform that jackhammers E-units apart. (although I'd love to see a smooth sine wave if possible). Then there's the diesel RPM's that don't work....

I know you'll get it all worked out eventually, and appreciate your hard work coding these items on several platforms simultaneously. It can't be easy.

Thanks again for your dedication to this excellent app.

To: MTH Rd.

I would like to make an App Developer Recommendation.

Could you consider to enable iCloud based App Data Storage.  Automatic back up to iCloud. According to Apple Care & Engineering this can be done by the developer.

Rational:  As an end user this would be helpful if I had an issue with “Wi-Fi DCS App”, I could retrieve all the data that operates my layout with the “Wi-Fi DCS App”.

Thanks: Gary from Michigan

trainroomgary posted:

To: MTH Rd.

I would like to make an App Developer Recommendation.

Could you consider to enable iCloud based App Data Storage.  Automatic back up to iCloud. According to Apple Care & Engineering this can be done by the developer.

Rational:  As an end user this would be helpful if I had an issue with “Wi-Fi DCS App”, I could retrieve all the data that operates my layout with the “Wi-Fi DCS App”.

Thanks: Gary from Michigan

You've got the right idea - but what they really need is bit more comprehensive.

What (seems to be) missing in the DCS Architecture is a central brain appliance that saves and shares data to the controllers - so they all stay in sync. Example - You should be able to set the Max Speed for a loco on one controller and have that setting occur on all controllers that address that engine. Supporting multiple controllers is a great feature of wi-fi - but let's hope they use it to the fullest!

Gary,

Could you consider to enable iCloud based App Data Storage.  Automatic back up to iCloud. According to Apple Care & Engineering this can be done by the developer.

No problem!

If you're running iOS 11.x, you can do this right now. Just export the contents of the DCS App to the Files application in TextEdit. That will put it in iCloud and you can then Import it back into the same, or a different, iOS device by tapping the exported file's icon in Files, then tapping the Sharing icon at the top right of the screen and selecting the DCS App as the target app.

I do this all the time.

Hi Barry & Roving Sign.  Below are six screen shots of the procedures that I followed as stated by Barry above. Hope I got this correct.

This seems to work....

but: I still would like to see the developer: MTH Rd - Enable the auto back up system to iCloud.

Barry, Thanks for the help / Gary: from Michigan

Gary,

That works through E-mail, however, you can alternatively export the file directly to iCloud by doing the following:

• In your step 3, click on Share.
• In the bottom part of the box, select "Save to Files" from the list.
• On the next screen, scroll and tap "TextEdit" to highlight it.
• Tap "Add" at the top right of the screen to save the file.

To import the file on a device that has iOS 11.x:

• From the Home screen, tap on the "Files" icon.
• From the "iCloud Drive" screen, tap on the "TextEdit" icon.
• Look for the icon for the saved export file. There will be two files with the same date and time. The one you want is the one with the MTH icon. You can delete the other file. You can also rename the export file.
• Tap on the export file.
• On the next screen, tap on the Share icon in the top right corner.
• Scroll through the list of apps and tap the DCS App's icon.
• Import the file.

This will be completely documented in the next edition of The DCS WiFi Companion.

Roving Sign posted:

trainroomgary posted:

To: MTH Rd.

I would like to make an App Developer Recommendation.

Could you consider to enable iCloud based App Data Storage.  Automatic back up to iCloud. According to Apple Care & Engineering this can be done by the developer.

Rational:  As an end user this would be helpful if I had an issue with “Wi-Fi DCS App”, I could retrieve all the data that operates my layout with the “Wi-Fi DCS App”.

Thanks: Gary from Michigan

You've got the right idea - but what they really need is bit more comprehensive.

What (seems to be) missing in the DCS Architecture is a central brain appliance that saves and shares data to the controllers - so they all stay in sync. Example - You should be able to set the Max Speed for a loco on one controller and have that setting occur on all controllers that address that engine. Supporting multiple controllers is a great feature of wi-fi - but let's hope they use it to the fullest!

We'll take a look at cloud based app content storage.  I'm sure it can be done.  Heck, almost anything can be done with time and money.  If it's cost feasible, it will get a good look. 

As for syncing the apps in real time, we considered this but, it opens some cans that we chose not to initially.  It seems like an obvious thing to do but, it gets pretty complex across the different devices and platforms, states of the device & app (backgrounded, closed, locked) etc.  Again, it's doable but, complex.  Which, in development = expensive.  It's not off the radar.  It becomes business economics. 

Everything is on the table with Wi-Fi DCS.  Why not run your trains using your voice on any of the smart controllers available today?  "Alexa, start my trains!"  Or, why not run someone else's trains over the web?  Camera's could provide streaming video on your tablet with an inset of app.  Why not run a new engine on our Showroom layout and drive it past close up cameras to confirm your purchase decision?  

Time and money is all it takes.

"Time and money is all it takes."

True, your time and guess-who's money. R&D expense, while laid out from capital, has to be recouped from sales.

Model train prices may be at the point where further increases will chase off potential hobbyists.  I remember when Lionel non-operating freight cars were $4.95 and $5.95.  When I look at the prices of Premier freight cars (or even RK) I quickly conclude I have enough rolling stock (which I guess would be true even without considering price).

MTH RD posted:

Roving Sign posted:

trainroomgary posted:

To: MTH Rd.

I would like to make an App Developer Recommendation.

Could you consider to enable iCloud based App Data Storage.  Automatic back up to iCloud. According to Apple Care & Engineering this can be done by the developer.

Rational:  As an end user this would be helpful if I had an issue with “Wi-Fi DCS App”, I could retrieve all the data that operates my layout with the “Wi-Fi DCS App”.

Thanks: Gary from Michigan

You've got the right idea - but what they really need is bit more comprehensive.

What (seems to be) missing in the DCS Architecture is a central brain appliance that saves and shares data to the controllers - so they all stay in sync. Example - You should be able to set the Max Speed for a loco on one controller and have that setting occur on all controllers that address that engine. Supporting multiple controllers is a great feature of wi-fi - but let's hope they use it to the fullest!

We'll take a look at cloud based app content storage.  I'm sure it can be done.  Heck, almost anything can be done with time and money.  If it's cost feasible, it will get a good look. 

As for syncing the apps in real time, we considered this but, it opens some cans that we chose not to initially.  It seems like an obvious thing to do but, it gets pretty complex across the different devices and platforms, states of the device & app (backgrounded, closed, locked) etc.  Again, it's doable but, complex.  Which, in development = expensive.  It's not off the radar.  It becomes business economics. 

Everything is on the table with Wi-Fi DCS.  Why not run your trains using your voice on any of the smart controllers available today?  "Alexa, start my trains!"  Or, why not run someone else's trains over the web?  Camera's could provide streaming video on your tablet with an inset of app.  Why not run a new engine on our Showroom layout and drive it past close up cameras to confirm your purchase decision?  

Time and money is all it takes.

Thanks for the reply! MTH RD - hopefully there will be some cool stuff on the horizon.

In the audio world - for the past 5 years - we have been using multiple controllers - across all platforms - all in-sync...So I  have to believe those issues can be overcome. These aren't toys - this is live, mission critical, work.

I would urge you to take a look at how Behringer has changed the live audio production industry with their X32 and XAir series of digital mixers - take a look at their network architecture. Wish I knew what SDK they are using...they have it DOWN - even some cool third party apps out there.

DCS should work the same way!

If I were really smart - I bet could run my trains WITH my audio mixer!

MTH RD posted:

We'll take a look at cloud based app content storage.  I'm sure it can be done.  Heck, almost anything can be done with time and money.  If it's cost feasible, it will get a good look. 

As for syncing the apps in real time, we considered this but, it opens some cans that we chose not to initially.  It seems like an obvious thing to do but, it gets pretty complex across the different devices and platforms, states of the device & app (backgrounded, closed, locked) etc.  Again, it's doable but, complex.  Which, in development = expensive.  It's not off the radar.  It becomes business economics. 

Everything is on the table with Wi-Fi DCS.  Why not run your trains using your voice on any of the smart controllers available today?  "Alexa, start my trains!"  Or, why not run someone else's trains over the web?  Camera's could provide streaming video on your tablet with an inset of app.  Why not run a new engine on our Showroom layout and drive it past close up cameras to confirm your purchase decision?  

Time and money is all it takes.

Hi MTH Rd. Yes & True:  "It becomes business economics"  /  "Time and money is all it takes" 

As a satisfied end user I do have a work around for the back up storage issue. See screenshot below.

* Click on this screenshot to enlarge.*

I back up my iPhone automatically to iTunes or I could do a automatically to iCloud.

This all works:  I had to do this back in October of 2017, when the operating system on my iPhone crashed.  Good thing I was automatically backing up my iPhone. I was able to recover all my data, like the MTH App, all my phone numbers in my Contact List and much more, everything came back.  Just like new.

The rational is if your iPhone is lost or stollen. Like in my case you can recover all the data on an iPhone of iPad.

Also one more question for MTH Rd.  Do you see MTH Trains doing anything with Bluetooth?

Barry: Thanks for the tip on the storage process and MTH Rd for answering all our questions.

Gary: from Michigan, 200 miles east of St. Joseph, Michigan.

Bluetooth....Hmmmm...Why not a single app that runs all modern O ga trains?  The Bluetooth radio is just sitting there in the device, after all. 

We think of many, many, things but have to weigh which are commercially feasible.

Don't forget, MTH-R&D, there are still a few of us who want to run trains, rather than focus on gadgets.*   On the other hand, there are some who find gadgets attractive so you have to satisfy [i.e., sell to] them also.

*(Stated otherwise, don't discontinue the remote)

Happy New Year.