On the JMRI website there is information about using a smart phone as a throttle/layout control panel which they refer to as a WiThrottle.
I was wondering if JMRI WiThrottle can be used with an Android tablet (eg: Samsung Galaxy Tab7).
The reason I ask is the information initially refers to iPhone, iPod and Android phone but later simply says Android device. It seems to me that a 7" or 10" tablet might be a better (more readable) device to use (especially since I already have one - smile) than the small display on a smart phone.
Sorry, I just noticed this. If you had posted your question on the JMRI Yahoo Group, it no doubt would have been answered much more quickly.
Anyway, yes, virtually any Android device with WiFi will work.
I use two small (4.3 inch) Android tablets as wireless throttles. The small screen size doesn't seem to be a hindrance when using the device as a throttle, especially since the ones I use have volume rockers on the side - Easy up-down speed control.
I also use a 7-inch Android tablet as a control panel for my yard area. That uses the JMRI Web server and not WiThrottle, although I do have the ED app installed on it, and have used it as a throttle from time to time.
It's actually kind of big and clunky for a that, although for a control panel I probably wouldn't go any smaller than seven inches or so.
Excellent. Thanks Stevert!
When I saw the JMRI Engine Driver screenshots showing not only the throttle but also loco selections, turnout control and layout plan, etc I thought this would be the perfect excuse to toss the old control panel, and forget about trying to rewire everything for both the existing DC cab control and DCC to co-exist while I slowly upgrade the locos. It's like having a DCC hand held throttle and a touch screen CRT control panel all in one, all in the palm of your hand. This great news.
Sorry if my enthusiasum seems excessive, but I'm trying to do 20 years of catching up and so much has changed since I was away from the hobby. I just went through something similar with my audio system the last 2 years & it was a bit overwhelming getting from point A to Z. I suspect this journey will be similar.
my little girl uses her tablet to run my trains and it was a lot cheaper than bying another cab. Plus the one for the andriod one is free, the one for IPHONE is 10 bucks to buy.