In case it is of interest to anyone... If you happen to follow my blog (www.s164.com), you already know I'm working on a white paper about using smartphones/smart devices (iPhone, Android phones, iPod Touch, etc.) as wireless cabs for DCC. This approach provides an alternative to using manufacturer specific wireless Cabs. It also enables users to bring their own wireless Cabs to your DCC-controlled layout when they come over to operate, which can have a number of advantages.
While the white paper is not quite yet ready, I did happen to notice a sale in one of the flyers in yesterday's local Sunday paper, I thought I'd mention in case it is of interest. If you're already a DecoderPro user with your DCC system you've likely got everything you need to use smartphones as a wireless Cab -- you just need to start the WiThrottle Server from the DecoderPro dropdown, and then have either a WiFi enabled Android based smartphone or a WiFi enabled iPhone (iPhone 3 or later) or iPad Touch (4th or 5th gen). Yesterday while looking at the local Target weekly ad in the Sunday paper, I noticed that Target was selling the Kyocero Hydro Android-based mobile phone (runs on the Boost Mobile network) for $59.99 (normally $99.99). I thought this was pretty inexpensive and did some digging. It runs Android 4.0.3 (the so called Ice Cream Sandwich version, which is a pretty recent version). And it has WiFi and BlueTooth. Has an IPS display, which is good technology for color displays -- easy to see from lots of angles. Boost Mobile, in case you're not familiar with it, is the prepaid phone brand name on the Sprint Network. I noticed it because as part of an article I am working on, I am looking to see how inexpensive I can get the throttles. The Kyocero Hydro has a reasonable but not a huge screen - I think it's 3.5", 320 x 480. Very light -- plastic case, small, easy for a shirt pocket. Certified waterproof for IPX5, protection against water jets and IPX7, protection against water immersion for up to 30 minutes in up to 1 meter (3.28 feet), in case you want to use outside (likely not for S layouts). Anyway I hopped over to Target and bought one. I wanted to try it with the free Engine Driver app that connects to WiThrottle. Charged it up. It is NOT necessary to activate it on the Boost Mobile Network. So NO prepaid or monthly plan required. Just use it as a WiFi, non-phone device. You don't even need to purchase a Boost Mobile re-charge card. Just connect it to your WiFi network, download whatever apps you want. I downloaded Engine Driver from the app store. Then started up Decoder Pro and WiThrottle on my PC. Started Engine Driver on on the Hydro. In less then 5 minutes I was controlling and running trains on my layout with the Hydro smartphone. For the $59.99 cab price. Not too bad. Controlling horn, light, bell, etc. on a Lionel SD70ACe and a SHS DCC-decoder equipped engine. Slick and cheap... Still targeting the first draft of white paper by end of this month. Regards Michael Greene PS FWIW I think this will make a good cheap MP3 player as well. It supports 32GB MicroSD card, comes with a 2GB card. Will try it with my BlueTooth headphones tonight...Also if the Boost Mobile network has coverage where you need, it could also be a good beach, lake or pool phone, in case you don't want to take your expensive smartphone in case of damage, loss. PS to PS I have no financial interest in any of this - Kyocero, Target, Boost Mobile, etc. Sent from my iPad
