Message from Dave Olson...Lionel Cab3 App Bug Reporting Procedure

Dave,

Please post the Lionel Call Center email address.

This is the email address

TalkToUs@Lionel.com

Cmon Dave the bat signal worked for Batman   

I'm in the market for a new tablet device. What is required to run the CAB 3 remote app? Any (non-Apple) recommendations?

@Kris Keeler posted:

I'm in the market for a new tablet device. What is required to run the CAB 3 remote app? Any (non-Apple) recommendations?

Well, I would advise checking the status of the Google Play version of the app for a non-Apple device.

See, there is this problem- where the first release of CAB3 has no functional connection to Base3. Because the app version is distributed through the matching "app store" for the device you are attempting to buy and you don't want apple, and yet as of this exact moment in time- the only version released working with base3 is apple- you asked a loaded question without knowing. Again, as of the time of typing this comment- not updated yet....

Don't just take my word for it- read for yourself: https://play.google.com/store/...s?id=com.lionel.cab3

Initial release of Lionel’s Cab3 APP!
This release includes the following:
• Bluetooth tab functionality. Control your Lionel Bluetooth-equipped locomotives directly!

Coming soon: (paraphrasing from Spaceballs- How soon? We're at now now. When will then be now? Soon?)
• Base3 tab – this will be included in the next APP update
• Voice Streaming and Recording (VSR) in the Bluetooth tab

https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkx2...?si=6aZEHdR0m2P1xHQd

@Vernon Barry posted:

Well, I would advise checking the status of the Google Play version of the app for a non-Apple device.

See, there is this problem- where the first release of CAB3 has no functional connection to Base3. Because the app version is distributed through the matching "app store" for the device you are attempting to buy and you don't want apple, and yet as of this exact moment in time- the only version released working with base3 is apple- you asked a loaded question without knowing. Again, as of the time of typing this comment- not updated yet....

Don't just take my word for it- read for yourself: https://play.google.com/store/...s?id=com.lionel.cab3

Initial release of Lionel’s Cab3 APP!
This release includes the following:
• Bluetooth tab functionality. Control your Lionel Bluetooth-equipped locomotives directly!

Coming soon: (paraphrasing from Spaceballs- How soon? We're at now now. When will then be now? Soon?)
• Base3 tab – this will be included in the next APP update
• Voice Streaming and Recording (VSR) in the Bluetooth tab

https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkx2...?si=6aZEHdR0m2P1xHQd

Who's on first.......

@RSJB18 posted:

Who's on first.......

I Don’t Know

@Kris Keeler posted:

I'm in the market for a new tablet device. What is required to run the CAB 3 remote app? Any (non-Apple) recommendations?

I am using a cheap ($99?) Lenovo Tab M9 tablet. No issues so far with the CAB3 app and running all of my bluetooth  locomotives. 

@hokie71 posted:

I am using a cheap ($99?) Lenovo Tab M9 tablet. No issues so far with the CAB3 app and running all of my bluetooth  locomotives.

Caveat- and I'm not trying to pick on you- just make the technical point- not a great example.

Why? Because we know those "missing" advertised features like voice streaming have additional software and hardware requirements of the 3rd party device.

Again, I'm just trying to be technical about this- until the app is released with the features and if Lionel releases in public (and not just this forum in a forum post like last time) we get the details of what chipsets and what operating systems support the features the best way- I could not in good conscience condone saying an android based tablet "just works".

This is what I'm talking about https://ogrforum.com/...2#172611907079938312

@Dave Olson posted:

We put quite a bit of work into getting this feature into our LC engines. What we found is that performance is very closely tied to the device being used. Especially on the Android side.

Let me elaborate. We ran into an issue with many Samsung phones. The Bluetooth streaming for voice requires we (the APP) set a specific baud rate. On many Android phones (namely Samsung made in the last 3 years), the baud rate cannot be set by the APP. Rather it is artificially throttled by the smart device.

This applies to many other Android phones as well, especially tracphones and other more bargain priced phones. You also have to make sure the device you're using has Bluetooth 5.0; older phones and even some newer lower-priced devices still use Bluetooth 4.0, which is not meant for voice streaming.

We have found that iOS devices operate the feature very well, especially if they're from 2019 and newer. If you are experiencing an issue with the feature on an iOS device, I would recommend emailing me and we can get to the bottom of it.

So again, one could only hope that the app developer would publish in public such notes- so that you as the train purchaser could then also know what 3rd party tablet best supports the features you might want or later need.

"one could only hope that the app developer would publish in public such notes"

Indeed. Even with the consistency of iOS Apple devices, some older devices cannot run new apps.  With Android, I gather that the enormous variations in chips, firmware, etc. the problem isn't restricted to older devices. So some recommendations for both Apple and Android devices that clearly worked perfectly for the developer and Lionel would be welcome.

@Vernon Barry posted:

Caveat- and I'm not trying to pick on you- just make the technical point- not a great example.

Why? Because we know those "missing" advertised features like voice streaming have additional software and hardware requirements of the 3rd party device.

Again, I'm just trying to be technical about this- until the app is released with the features and if Lionel releases in public (and not just this forum in a forum post like last time) we get the details of what chipsets and what operating systems support the features the best way- I could not in good conscience condone saying an android based tablet "just works".

I am honored to have Vernon pick on me. Landsteiner has a good idea - especially if someone is buying a new device for the app.  My Lenovo tablet was already available so I thought I would give it a try, the price was right.

@Landsteiner posted:

"one could only hope that the app developer would publish in public such notes"

Indeed. Even with the consistency of iOS Apple devices, some older devices cannot run new apps.  With Android, I gather that the enormous variations in chips, firmware, etc. the problem isn't restricted to older devices. So some recommendations for both Apple and Android devices that clearly worked perfectly for the developer and Lionel would be welcome.

If you update your app the Base3 tab is available now

Thanks @Dave Olson

For those device shopping for non-apple and planning on using Bluetooth I'd suggest something with the latest version5.0+ it makes a difference in range/reliability.
I played around with an LG pad 10" - had mixed results with the Bluetooth

Blueliec4, I assume your are referring to the Apple app, as the android app still shows 18 June as the upload date.

@Dave Olson is there a specific phrase we should put in the subject line that will help filter issues to the proper place?  I assume the TalkToUS@Lionel.com is the proper address?

Maybe I'm missing something but I just downloaded the latest version of the app on my Pixel 7 and the Base3 tab is not functional.  If you press it you get a message that is coming soon.

@Dougklink posted:

Maybe I'm missing something but I just downloaded the latest version of the app on my Pixel 7 and the Base3 tab is not functional.  If you press it you get a message that is coming soon.

Lionel has not updated the Android version of the app.  They only updated the Apple version.  Until Lionel puts out a new Android version, you cannot use your Android device to talk to the base 3.

OK, thanks.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

The update woes are starting already?

Or app store slow approval

Androind app now live.

Don't have a Base 3 on order but the app is updated......

Dave-

Is it safe to expect Cab2 operation with the Base3 in the initial delivery?  Or is this something that is still being worked on?

@LionelAG posted:

Dave-

Is it safe to expect Cab2 operation with the Base3 in the initial delivery?  Or is this something that is still being worked on?

Yes.  It will work.  Make sure you are at 1.74 Cab2 version.

@MartyE posted:

Yes.  It will work.  Make sure you are at 1.74 Cab2 version.

Great!  Its a deal killer for me if that doesn't work as I have a substantial investment there already.  Already upgraded everything to 1.74.

Google (Android) store now has the updated app. I had to go into my profile> Manage> Apps and Devices, to get it

Just open source the API - a few devs and a case of beer could have something better in a weekend.