Is anyone going to use their Ipad to run their trains?

Gilly@N&W wrote:

Nope I don't even own a smart phone. Still learning how to use TMCC and DCS which is just fine my me.

Not quite a Luddite, but it sure is looking good...

Gilly

.....you will become a convert......

Peter

nope

(whats an Ipap, errrrr Ipag,  errrrr Ipak,  errrrrrrrr

what ever you said.......... 

At some point probably a YES.  I've heard that we may eventually be able to view what the 'engineer' sees from the cab on our devices - THIS will probably be a real enducement for people to use it. Consider that it will be a familiar view to the kids (and older 'kids') who play video games.

I'm going to get an iPad Air for my birthday next month so I'd better start learning the technology!

Absolutely. Why spend a bunch of money for a controller that can't do anything other than control trains when I already have an iPad? Granted, if I already had a Legacy/Cab/DCS then I'd probably say no. 

What's an I Pad?

But you'll still need a command control system to communicate with your iPad, so you'll most likely end up with a remote anyway. 

This is the basic model. 

And this is the advanced Apple version. 

Pat's comment may have just won me over to the iPad.  I am just learning DCS and find the display a little small.  I'm sure once I get to know the handheld, I won't need to read the descriptions on the buttons I use the most, but right now, they are too small.

Even before reading Pat's comment, I was going to comment I will try the free MTH app and see how it goes.  Who knows, it may be best for me.  I do have trouble holding things, I have to use both hands for the DCS remote, so using both for the ipad or iphone probably won't matter to me.

I am happy there are more options.  I also think some younger folks may find the iPad or Android a pretty cool way to go.

I wish they would offer the program for Android systems. Then I would get it and use it with my Legacy system in a heart beat.

I wasn't thinking so much for the actual running of the trains but to throw the turnouts.  To have a nice touch screen to just tap to though a turn out one way or another.  If I am at my control panel I would use the ipad and away from the control panel when I am walking around the layout I would use the CAB 2

Or how about the iMat for those with a carpet central? 

Until Lionel comes out with an Android version, then nope.

Don't have an iPad, don't own any Apple brand products, probably never will.

I agree I wish they had an Android version.  The only apple product besides my two macs is my 1st gen iPad.  I have given it up to the kids long ago for my Nexus 7 and Moto X phone.  

The Lionel app will run on the 1st gen iPad, but was hopping that one day someone would write an Android version, if nothing but to throw TMCC turnouts and some accessories.   

The issue with blue train is that it will not run on my Nexus 7!  It doesnt seem to have tablet support.  

On Android devices, yes, I'll try it for sure if they make it.

You gotta move with the times or get left behind I guess.

Not too many years ago most of us were running trains in conventional only.

Now look where we are; DCS, TMCC, Legacy, and soon Ipad apps to run our trains.

Personally I am an old Blackberry holdout. But BB has pretty much gone bye-bye.

At Christmas time my wife changed over to an Ipad and Iphone. As much as I have never been a big Apple fan (because the business world still runs on Windows and MS Office), I can see the writing on the wall.

I have played with her Ipad a fair bit, and all I can say is I am impressed. It is slick and pretty user friendly.

(Now if they come out with a way to copy over all the saved BB contact and calendar info; yahoo.)

I can see maybe in the future giving the Ipad a try running trains.

Rod

Being I don't have an iPad because I spent my money on trains instead, not for now.  I do have an iPhone, so if they allow for the software to run on those, I can see using it as another remote.  But if I do get an iPad, I won't run trains from it, just use it for switches if I have command switches.

My IPAD 3 is my single most used electronic thing ever!  As it gets older, I will add an IPAD Air and consider other uses for the 3 or maybe get a mini to run the trains with.

Does anyone know what will be the cost for the app and the wifi?

So...are they making the programming interface available to anyone who wants it, or is it proprietary?  I have no plans of relinquishing my CAB-2 for my iPad, however, being a developer...I have an idea.  It would be cool to create a tablet (or phone) app used solely to select your engines.  Once an engine is selected, you still use the remote to control the engine's speed, sounds, functionality, etc.  The tablet interface would consist of thumbnail images and descriptions (NS SD40-2 #3340) of your locomotive roster and by touching the image, you would in essence enter the Engine ID and select that loco. It would provide you with a visual of the selected engine, and you would not have to enter (and thus, remember) the Engine IDs.  

Rick

Now I did!  Thanks, Marty.

My kids use iPads instead of schoolbooks...  I might as well join em.  Looks like I finally found a use for the darn thing!

I'm not sure I will use it as I already have MTH and Lionel handsets, but I'll put the wifi box on the club's layout for sure, when new and younger members join and discover they can use their phone or ipad to run the layout the will love it.

As a side note, an HO friend who is in graphics began running his layout with DCC wireless remotes and recently changed to the "pad" touch screens. He discovered it required much more actually looking at the hand held device (and away from the layout action) to view the screen and locate the icon than the "touch/feel" button/knob locations of the remotes and went back to using the remotes for operations. Likened it to driving and just reaching for a button/knob/lever in his vehicle vs having to look at the screen to see what the round selector knob in the middle of the console was actually high-lighting and operating. He is sure many will be thrilled to operate "on screen" via touch, just didn't work for his group.

Yep, I will use it also…as soon as someone shows me how.

I saw for the first time the App for the I pod LCS track switch controller... looks like it will be a hit. 

It would be nice if you could set up a dispatcher to run the track authorities, while you could run your train with a camera in it, spotting signals and "working to get out on the main", then it would seem like running a real railroad.

**** yeah! I run and love dcs, but that controller is dated! I have an iPad mini and I use it all the time, as long as the app is responsive and intuitive I don't see how that wouldn't be an improvement from the current controller. I'm actually really excited about it, it's like it makes model trains cooler for us and the layout visitors. 

Nope, im only interested in using my iPad to control my layout, i have perfectly good remotes that are much smaller than an iPad to run the trains with

Not for me, if I wanted to use a computer then I wouldn't need a train layout I could just sit at my PC to drive and watch simulations.

I want to be as close to the trains as possible, if I could I would want to be in the cab with my hand on the throttle, technology just gets in the way, goes wrong and in my view takes the fun out of it (unless you like train wrecks!). As an example txt has taken the fun and spirit out of phones, I wish people would call me now and then and "speak" to me, we have ears I don't want a silent world.

So its conventional, TMCC and DCS in that order for me

ps: before anybody labels me as anti tech I am the CIO of a high tech company, maybe that is why when I am at home with my trains I want to leave it all behind!

I gave this new idea/gadget a thought, however upon realizing I would need a wi-Fi connection in the leased space of my wife's artist studio and realizing how she would frown on this and my lease might be in jeopardy decided not to pursue the idea.

Besides like others, I have the LIONEL & MTH remotes and I only have two hands.

i did consider Nicole's proposal od a carpet central iPad but it rubbed me the wrong way.

There should be plenty of second hand IPADS on the market as time goes on.  Therefore the IPAD approach should be very cost effective. The IPAD approach would be especially useful for controlling blocks, turnouts and other accessories. The MTH or Lionel individual handheld controllers could still be used for engine controls.

There should be plenty of second hand IPADS on the market as time goes on.

That many or may not be true, since many older smart devices find their way to developing countries, such as Viet Nam. When we visited  Viet Nam a few years ago, we learned that it was very rare that anyone actually was the original owner of a smartphone.

Regardless, only devices that can operate under iOS7 are able to use the MTH app. I wouldn't be surprised if the same is true for the Lionel app, due to Apple's development rules.

 I would rather use a dishwasher to control my television.

Lionel has already stated their app won't require iOS7. I've run it on an original iPad. 

My understanding is that whatever iOS version is deployed at the time of the app's development, that's the level of iOS that is the "base level" for operation of the app. If that's correct, then if the LCS app was in development when iOS6 was current, then it would be able to work under iOS6 or later versions of the OS.

Perhaps someone more knowledgeable than am I of this subject will comment further.

I have no idea at all what is the policy as regards Android development, or if there even is one and who sets it.

You do not need a broadband connection for the LCS app to work.