Version 1.7 beta 1 has now been sent to beta testers, and it’s looking good.
Language charts are being sent to translators.

I am expecting a release to iTunes for approval around New Year.


Update 28. Dec, 2011:
Looks like it is going to be a while longer.

While working on the 1.7b2 code I have come across an old elusive bug, and while fixing that I decided to rework the entire connection/reconnection code - something that was scheduled for version 1.7.5, but is now being implemented. This means that the release will take a little longer, but you will get a leaner and meaner app in return. I am sure you will like it.

Allright, I am happy to announce that version 1.7 has now reached beta stage.

This means that the software is feature complete, and I have started in-house testing and debugging before sending it out to beta testers for ”real-world” use.

Actually most of the features have been working for some time, but somehow the integration into TouchCab’s overall look and feel did not click as it should. Now it does, and I am very happy with it. I hope you will be too.

So what’s new?

Well, this is a Lenz release. ECoS users do not get much new here, except for a few bug fixes.

In the locomotive list, touch and hold on a locomotive, and you get the option to delete or edit the locomotive, or you may add a new one.
When editing or adding a locomotive, you can set the name, address, protocol and max speed (which makes the cab use km/h for display). From a list you may select and define all decoder functions up to F28.

As for accessories, it is pretty much the same deal.
Touch and hold the list to add, delete or edit accessories. Add name(s), address, drive features and symbols for each of the accessories and test the functions. Once you have added an accessory, it is immediately live while you are setting it up, so you should have a fair degree of freedom to match your layout.

Below are sample screenshots of the whole thing. These are not mockups - they are live with a Lenz system.


Does this release provide ”everything” you need for Lenz?

No, it does not, but it gets you a fair bit of the way. For those of you that have bought the paid version, you now get what you paid for. These features will not find their way into the free version.

Time frame?
I expect release to iTunes around Christmas time, and the public release as soon as the app is approved by Apple.

Editing locomotives






Editing Accessories

Connecting to the Lenz interface 23151 should be completely without problems for many home networks, but if your network is not using the IP address range 192.168.0.X you need a bit more work.

The 23151 ships with a fixed IP address of 192.168.0.200 and you need to change that to match your network (or change your network to match the interface).

On the web pages of the 23151 you can change the IP address or tell it to use DHCP. Once all your devices are on the same network, TouchCab finds the interface automatically and connects without you having to do anything else. If not, try the troubleshooting page and see if that helps you.

If all else fails, send a mail to support, and I will do all I can to help you out.

For German speaking users, Thorsten Bresges has put together an excellent instruction page in German on his Spur-G-Blog.


Now that I missed the release of the 23151 completely, I have scrambled to the full version ready for you Lenz users out there. After a bit of consideration back and forth, this is what you can expect:

• Version 1.7 with locomotive names and functions symbols and accessory support (locos working today, accessories well under way)
• Version 1.7.5 with additional features for XpressNet with multiple users on the same layout
• Version 1.8 for Märklin CS2

Of course there will be a bug fix release in between if needed.

A word of caution:

With the release of the new Lenz Interface, I must admit I got caught off-balance.

At the recent exhibition in Rawtenstall where I presented TouchCab with the interface, a few surprises showed up that I need to address. Also, a Lenz command station only stores the information that it must send to the track, so I must write the complete user interface myself.

I don’t mind - it gives me freedom to design my own world, but it does take time.

Therefore, all new Lenz users should be aware that the current version 1.6 is VERY limited in it’s Lenz features, and at this time, the paid version actually does not give you much more than the free version. Do not expect much fun from this version.

Now that the interface is out, I will change my plans.
I will now focus on basic operational features for locomotives and accessories, and the full-blown version (with my original ideas for it) will follow later. The next version will thus be version 1.6.5.

As always, updates are free, and they will stay free.

On the weekend of October 29th and 30th, TouchCab is attending the Lancashire & Yorkshire DCC Model Rail Group annual exhibition in Rawtenstall, north of Manchester, UK.

If you are in the neighbourhood, drop by and see a demo of TouchCab in action on an exhibition layout, including a demo of the newest Lenz version, and maybe have a chat with the author.

See you there.

After a last minute rejection, TouchCab and TouchCab Free version 1.6 have now been approved for sale in the iTunes App Store. If the apps are not there yet, they will be within the next 24 hours.

The rejection was due to TouchCab not looking good on an iPad, which is fair enough, since it was never built for it. After recompiling for iPhone and iPod only, the review process was picked up immediately (wow) and there were no further issues.

So - TouchCab is off the iPad for now ...

Also, I had to restrict this version to iOS 4 or better, since I no longer have any means of testing for iOS 3.x. Sorry folks, but that is the way it’s gonna be. I have had reports of 1.6 crashing on iOS 3.x, but no way to solve it.

You may find that things behave slightly different in version 1.6 compared to 1.5, and this may cause some getting used to.
Please check the release notes or the instructions if you are uncertain. I’m sure you’ll appreciate it after some operating sessions.

What’s next?

• TouchCab 1.7:   XpressNet accessories
• TouchCab 1.8:   Märklin CS2
• TouchCab 2.0:   Track plans, iPad and Mac

Have fun, and don’t forget to tell me if you find anything strange, OK?

Bad news: A nasty bug has surfaced immediately before release
Good news: The bug surfaced before release ...

Update:
Boths app have been resubmitted after fixing the bug.

I am happy to announce that TouchCab v1.6 - with support for the Lenz 23151 XpressNet interface - has now been submitted to iTunes for review.

Stay tuned ...

Okay - it took a while longer than expected, but TouchCab 1.6 has now entered beta testing.

The reason for the delay was the background mode of iOS4 that caused a major rewrite of much of the basic connection/reconnection code ... which was due for an overhaul anyway, so no harm done.

Strictly speaking 1.6 is not feature complete yet - there are still some minor improvements on the list, but it’s mature enough that I wanted to get it out for a spin in the real world. Already, feedback has prompted a rework of some features, so there will be a beta 2 out shortly with those changes, followed by a feature complete beta 3, which will be the candidate for final release.

Today, At the International Toy Fair in Nürnberg, Lenz Elektronik GmbH is showing pre-production units of their announced and much anticipated XpressNet Interface 23151. The interface is connected to the Lenz demonstration layout and the trains are controlled by TouchCab.

The version of TouchCab used in Nürnberg is a pre-release, but otherwise unmodified version of TouchCab version 1.6, which - if you are familiar with TouchCab - looks a little bit different from the currently shipping version 1.5.

To the right is a picture of the cab screen in version 1.6. You notice that it is somewhat ... greener than previous versions.

This is because the stop button has changed into an OK button. It works exactly the same way it always has, but now the color and state of the button reflects the actual state of the layout. Red for off, yellow for a short circuit or for other events and green for OK.

Yes ... I know ... I have always said ESU was wrong about their color scheme and I decided to go against the stream with a big red stop button, but now I have changed my mind. When everything else in TouchCab reflects real-time status of the command station, so should this button.

Besides, the old scheme makes no sense at all for XpressNet, and yes - TouchCab 1.6 will be prepared for XpressNet.

Other than that, I’m not going reveal what changes are in store, but look carefully on the picture and you may find a hint or two.

There’s still some bugs to fix in TouchCab 1.6, but it is expected to go beta within a few weeks.

Stay tuned folks - it won’t be long now.

If you are a TouchCab user, you have probably noticed that there has not been any updates lately, and you may wonder if TouchCab is still alive.

Rest assured that there is plenty of life in the TouchCab labs, and the lack of updates is because there is practically no support effort needed. A few users have reported problems, but these issues are always the same, they are rarely seen and they are for the most part easily fixed. So it looks like everyone is happy, and really - constant updates can be annoying.

2011 looks to be a spectacular year for TouchCab.

Although TouchCab is certainly not a blockbuster hit like some of the games you see on the App Store, it is making enough money to be fun and interesting and worth doing.

With the new Lenz interface on the horizon, many new systems will be supported, so hopefully TouchCab will get lots of new users. Also - by popular request - expect CS2 support in the first half of 2011.

Other than supporting new systems, you may wonder where TouchCab itself is going.

Well, there will be some simplifications made. Already with the current version, there are too many options. Some of these will be gone, and while the user interface will stay pretty much intact, there will be some subtle changes to make TouchCab easier and more logical to use when the trains are running. These changes will probably find their way into a version 1.6.

Then a major release is due with many new XpressNet specific features such as adding locomotives and forming consists and other nice things. It has not yet been decided how such new screens will be accessed, but at least expect some changes to the locomotive tab. This will be version 2.0 and the features of this version will be needed for proper CS2 support also.

Actual CS2 support is not expected until version 2.1, but although this may sound like a long time, it should all still happen in the first half of 2011.

After that - who knows?

There is the iPad, other phone systems, track plans and other stuff ... the world is changing fast these days.
The months to come will show what is going to happen, because quite frankly - after version 2.1, I’m not sure.

I do know there are lots of possibilities, however.

Happy new year everyone.