I don't really have much electronics experience :( so I don't really follow what you are proposing. But more outputs with just one microcontroller would be awesome. :) are you saying like maybe an add on piece that would expand the outputs, or control the lifelites, or make sound? That could work.
I can program however, so I'm happy to help with that in any way I can. I wouldn't worry about iOS too much, in my experience most makers use android.