If given their unlimited development resources just think how they could make the ultimate train control system a reality. That is any engine, any brand, controlled from the SAME screen, with ALL features EASY to use.
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- It would cost a fortune.
- It would be easy to use.
- It would work better than anything else on the market.
- It would be proprietary in some inconvenient way.
- It would look really cool.
- Attractive young women would start getting into model railroading.
- You would almost be forced to buy the new version every 2-3 years.
- It would still be made in China
Did I miss anything? 
Back when Jobs was alive and Apple was the most valuable company in the world, Steve would sell us something we didn't know we needed but had to have.
So, it is possible. If Apple strays off the proven formula.
It may just be easier to develop an app for that(be it DCS, TMCC, DCC, or Legacy).
As I understand, Apple has or is making an app to run trains off an iPhone.
I've used an IPAD to run trains at the NWTL with Dave Hikel.
This stuff already exits.
Did anyone hear of this?
Would you be able to Jailbreak it?
Scott
It would be so thin and slippery that it would fall out of your hand. Battery life would also be very limited.
I've used an IPAD to run trains at the NWTL with Dave Hikel.
This stuff already exits.
As Zephyr 1 said the Northwest Trunk Lines has been running with a PC and tablet user interface for some time.
It is here now.
At the October York show MTH and my brother Dave Hikel announced their collaboration on new user interfaces. MTH said that they will roll out an iPhone app for DCS this year. Dozens of attendees at the York show ran the MTH display layout with the browsers on their own smart phones and tablets.
You can read more on PC and mobile device interfaces for DCS on this thread.
https://ogrforum.com/d...nt/10299794783443457
You can also read the summary of the 14th York DCS users group meeting here.
https://ogrforum.com/d...ent/9736788335636703
Originally Posted by Ted Hikel:
I've used an IPAD to run trains at the NWTL with Dave Hikel.
This stuff already exits.
As Zephyr 1 said the Northwest Trunk Lines has been running with a PC and tablet user interface for some time.
It is here now.
That's for DCS, yes, but I believe the original OP was talking about a system that would run DCS/TMCC/Legacy/the next big thing all at the same time from the same panel. No more converting TMCC engines to DCS or visa-versa.
I've already decided that I'll go the command route when there's one control system "to rule them all," meaning I can buy anybody's command engine and it will work. Preferably from a PC/tablet that I can upgrade as needed, not a proprietary piece of equipment with planned obsolescence.
Right now goggle / android has 70% of the market and there are more choices for half the price for the consumer. Some brands like Samsung give apple real competition in almost every category whether phone or tablet. Developing for apple first was the defacto standard with the others later. The latest trend is the other way around, but not yet with mth and lionel. They are still doing apple first which makes a lot of their customers happy here on the forum. I'm guessing when they started developing these projects, apple was still number one.
I want smart trains with on board sensors with little need of me touching the controls.
File under iDontneedit.
Rusty
As Zephyr 1 said the Northwest Trunk Lines has been running with a PC and tablet user interface for some time.
As of yesterday, I'm also running that same software on my PC, iPhone and my wife's iPad.
That's for DCS, yes, but I believe the original OP was talking about a system that would run DCS/TMCC/Legacy/the next big thing all at the same time from the same panel. No more converting TMCC engines to DCS or visa-versa.
That's what this one will do!
As soon as I enter my TMCC and Legacy stuff into the system, I'll be running those, as well, from the PC, iPhone and iPad.
A bit further down the road, I plan to test it on my Mac under Parallels.
Originally Posted by KMK:
It would be so thin and slippery that it would fall out of your hand. Battery life would also be very limited.
You'll have to get an OtterBox case to protect it.
As for the Battery your on your own.
If it says Apple - I won't buy it.
My reasons have nothing to do with need and/or functionality.
I'd only be interested if I had to line up overnight at the Apple Store to buy one.
Relative to competing products, it would have to have only 1/3 the features and cost 3 times as much. I'm in it only for the cachet.
Apple should come out with their answer to the newest Lionel ZW. Would it weigh 3.5 or 4 ounces?
1 - the average age of the persons in line to buy the next iTrain would be far above
that in the Other Line(s).
2 - the kids of the folks in the iTrain (iChooChoo?) line would be, for a change, the
confused ones.
3 - they would want an external antenna.
4 - they would want levers.
Heck, I feel like an old f**t (well, I am an old f**t) because I'm still using, and
still prefer, a CAB-1. The antenna is a handy tool for poking the occasional wayward
gondola and such. Display screen? Feh! You never heard of Post-It Notes?
FYI - I have skipped Legacy; too tedious, ugly equipment. BUT: I shall be buying
a CAB-1L and the "Light" Command Base to go with it.
Old news as the DCC crowd has been running trains via smartphone for years 
I would wait to buy the improved Samsung version.
What, me worry?
If Apple thinks Samsung's a "case" wait 'til they meet Mike and Jerry" THIS WILL+NEVER+ HAPPEN! The Cupertino Cabal will have to buy both companies first.
Not enough market volume to even tweak their interest.
As Steve Jobs said when he introduced the iPhone... Buttons are BAD. Pretty much sums up my feelings about the Legacy controller. An iOS/Android interface make much more sense. Add a feature,update the interface and you are done. No need for PROPRIETARY hardware whatsoever. Infinitely adaptable. As other have said.. There's an app for that!
Originally Posted by thestumper:
- It would cost a fortune.
- It would be easy to use.
- It would work better than anything else on the market.
- It would be proprietary in some inconvenient way.
- It would look really cool.
- Attractive young women would start getting into model railroading.
- You would almost be forced to buy the new version every 2-3 years.
- It would still be made in China
Did I miss anything?
Excellent!
This has been discussed many many times. For an IPad, Android or Apple App to work with TMCC well that's not a problem. LIonel has released its command codes which is why you can control a TMCC engine from DCS.
But for MTH, Wolf would need to release the DCS command codes and he has said that they are proprietary. I'd like to see it happen.
Alan,
I'd like to see it happen.
It already has. Read the earlier posts on this thread.
I don't want or need another overpriced Apple item. No thank you. 
Barry:
Please keep us up to date with your progress and likes and dislikes. I am very interested in this. I already use a IPhone and a IPad (can't imagine not using it every day for numerous tasks).
And give this up. 
No thanks.
