Tablet for MTH DCS

hi,i have a sansung android tab "a" works great for me

My wife got me a brand new Amazon Fire for Christmas, approx 8.5" screen. Cost was $49. Works great and I love operating the DCS app with it.

My son has an Amazon Fire but I could not find the DCS app for it.  What am I missing?

Be aware if you go for an old tablet:  The app does not work with some very old versions of Android.  Don't know about Apple.  I don't recall what earliest usable version of Android is.

ScottM posted:

My son has an Amazon Fire but I could not find the DCS app for it.  What am I missing?

The DCS app is not in the Amazon Kindle app store.  Rather check Barry B's post about an Kindle app to load so that you can then access/load the DCS from Google's Android Playstore.

There are a number of low cost tablets available, both new or used.  Your decision might be better based upon what system (Android vs. Apple iOs) you are more familiar - other household tablets or type of phone you use AND if you plan to do anything else with it.  Android is the lowest price option: often can be found for less than $100.  But there are last generation Apple iPad's both full size and or Mini (gen 4 or 3) that can be found either new or like-new factory refurbished for somewhere between $100-$200. 

RJR posted:

Be aware if you go for an old tablet:  The app does not work with some very old versions of Android.  Don't know about Apple.  I don't recall what earliest usable version of Android is.

According to the Google Play store, The current release of the app (version 3.2.1) will run on Android 4.0.3 or newer. That version of Android came out in 2011.

I use a few different tablets and a phone (without cellular service). I have two RCA 7" tablets that were purchased for $25 each at Shopko, an Asus Nexus 7, and a Motorola razrm (xt907) phone with a 4.3" screen.

I have an older iPad and I know that at one point they did not upgrade that version of the app to the support what the iOS was running.  If you are looking at an older apple device, suggest you also take a look at the app store before buying it.

John

John,

I have an older iPad and I know that at one point they did not upgrade that version of the app to the support what the iOS was running.

That was true for one release of the app. After a somewhat heated discussion with an MTH executive at York, I was able to convince MTH that it was an error on the part of the app developer that caused Apple devices that were older than iOS 10 to be excluded. The current release of the DCS App, 3.2.1, once again works with iOS 9.x devices.

At present, I'm running the 3.2.1 version of the app on the following:

• Apple iPhone 7 w/iOS 12.1.3
• Apple iPhone Xs w/iOS 12.1.3
• Apple iPad Pro (original version) w/iOS 12.1.3
• Apple iPad Mini/ iOS 9.x
• Apple iPad Mini 4 iOS 12.1.3
• Android Insignia tablet w/Android 7
• Amazon Kindle Fire 7 tablet

All host the DCS App just fine.

While the Kindle Fire is a bit of a (one time) chore to get set up, it works as well as any other Android tablet. Complete instructions for installing the DCS App on a Kindle Fire are detailed in The DCS WiFi Companion 2nd Edition.

Everything that you need to know about DCS WiFi is all in MTH’s “The DCS WiFi Companion 2nd Edition!" This book is available from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!

Barry Broskowitz posted:

John,

I have an older iPad and I know that at one point they did not upgrade that version of the app to the support what the iOS was running.

That was true for one release of the app. After a somewhat heated discussion with an MTH executive at York, I was able to convince MTH that it was an error on the part of the app developer that caused Apple devices that were older than iOS 10 to be excluded. The current release of the DCS App, 3.2.1, once again works with iOS 9.x devices.

Barry,

How long will this hold true?  At some point they will have to move past iOS 9x and these devices will become obsolete for the app again.  This is a problem with MTHs decision to force users to abandon the remote.

Dave

Dave,

How long will this hold true?  At some point they will have to move past iOS 9x and these devices will become obsolete for the app again.  This is a problem with MTHs decision to force users to abandon the remote.

This is an MTH decision that would be based on whether or not a new iOS (or Android) update has some new feature or function with which MTH desires to take advantage in the app.

For example, if a new OS has a new feature or function that enables a new app feature or function, that could cause MTH to abandon an earlier version of the OS. However, the alternative is only having the remote, which is topped-out and no longer able to be enhanced with any new features or functions at all.

Enhancing DCS via the remote would require considerable investment in the design and implementation of new remote hardware and software, rather than software only for the app. In addition, software developers are much, much more desirous of designing and implementing software for standards-based devices than for an MTH, one-off product. This allows for a considerable larger potential vendor selection for phones and tablets as opposed to building for a single device.

ScottM posted:

My son has an Amazon Fire but I could not find the DCS app for it.  What am I missing?

Sorry Scott, my son set it up for me. I'd follow the posts by Barry on how to get it done. good luck!

Gerry posted:

ScottM posted:

My son has an Amazon Fire but I could not find the DCS app for it.  What am I missing?

Sorry Scott, my son set it up for me. I'd follow the posts by Barry on how to get it done. good luck!

I purchased an Apple Mini IPAD as my tablet of choice for DCS.  However, adding the Amazon Fire into the mix will be good for supporting visitors to the layout.

'Should have known the answer would be available in Barry's book.  Not sure why I have to keep learning this lesson.