Confirmed: keyless entry, push-to-start, remote climate control & lock/unlock via app

[Saint Alban]

The photo on the “maker” site confused me a bit showing the key fob inserted into the dash, so I emailed for clarification and wanted to share the answers with everyone.

“The Slate truck will feature keyless entry and push-to-start capabilities, so you won't need to insert the key fob into the dash. The Slate App will allow you to remotely activate climate control, lock/unlock doors, and more. However, I don't have information about any subscription fees for these features at the moment”

(I asked if there would be a subscription fee if they had those app features).

 

[Adam W]

Did you raise the question about subscription fees, or did they offer that bit unprompted?

I'd wonder how a subscription would even work, since we've heard previously that the truck itself doesn't have any connectivity to "phone home." I would assume it would need some sort of cell connection in order to remote lock/unlock when the truck is outside the bluetooth range to your phone.

 

[slateya]

The photo on the “maker” site confused me a bit showing the key fob inserted into the dash, so I emailed for clarification and wanted to share the answers with everyone.

“The Slate truck will feature keyless entry and push-to-start capabilities, so you won't need to insert the key fob into the dash. The Slate App will allow you to remotely activate climate control, lock/unlock doors, and more. However, I don't have information about any subscription fees for these features at the moment”

Noooooooooo! I don’t want subscription fees for features on my car to work. What happened to remote start (a/c or heat) in EVs being activated from the FOB?

If Slate goes down the subscription income model, I am out.

 

[Saint Alban]

Did you raise the question about subscription fees, or did they offer that bit unprompted?

I'd wonder how a subscription would even work, since we've heard previously that the truck itself doesn't have any connectivity to "phone home." I would assume it would need some sort of cell connection in order to remote lock/unlock when the truck is outside the bluetooth range to your phone.

I asked. I had a jeep and they wanted $165 a year for the app. Hyundai wanted $150 a year. New models are free though so I was wondering which route Slate was going.

 

[Saint Alban]

Noooooooooo! I don’t want subscription fees for features on my car to work. What happened to remote start (a/c or heat) in EVs being activated from the FOB?

If Slate goes down the subscription income model, I am out.

Our current EV does have the option to start the climate control from the key fob. So that should be free. The app is another story so I’ll wait to see what they say. We’ve seen Slates key fob and can see the remote start button on it.

 

[cadblu]

Noooooooooo! I don’t want subscription fees for features on my car to work. What happened to remote start (a/c or heat) in EVs being activated from the FOB?

If Slate goes down the subscription income model, I am out.

I suspect Amazon prime members will not have to pay extra for subscription fees.

 

[Saint Alban]

I suspect Amazon prime members will not have to pay extra for subscription fees.

Now I’ve gotta start another thread because I’m confused about this too.

 

[1yeliab_sufur1]

Hmmm does also has a subscription thing but it is really only for Amazon Alexa so could be something like that but I know all the alarm and the start stuff will most likely be free but if it’s not for me personally i wound mind I rarely use the start stuff only in winter when I don’t keep like getting in a cold truck XD

 

[Swinefuzz]

If I pay for the automobile and I own the automobile and I possess the title and the keys to the automobile I shouldn't have to pay a subscription fee to the maker of the automobile to get PERMISSION to use MY automobile. That's EXTORTION.

That's like if a mobster collects a fee from you for "neighborhood protection" except that the protection is from said mobster. Extortion.

I have been driving the same vehicle for the past 27 yrs because I hate modern cars. I was unaware that customers that have already OVERPAID for expensive cars loaded with sensors and computers and electronics and software so F'n complicated that even the manufacturers of those cars can't fix them have sometimes been required to pay subscriptions to get permission to use a feature. We're not talking about getting a data plan for internet connection or paying a monthly fee for OnStar Roadside Service. It's obvious why those are extra. I have no problem with Slate Auto wanting to make supplementary income by selling post-vehicle sale accessories, but there's no way I'm paying a subscription for an app that just gets me basic information from the vehicle's computer or use remote start, or something that doesn't require human-based customer service like roadside service.

Subscriptions are just another form of nickle-and-diming consumers to death and there's TONS of evidence out there that consumers are fed up with the subscription business model. If Slate Auto does subscriptions for basic car functions I will not be purchasing their products. I'll keep my Jeep running for another 27 yrs.

 

[1yeliab_sufur1]

🤣 it’s not that big a deal and I doubt they would do that

 

[Letas]

If I pay for the automobile and I own the automobile and I possess the title and the keys to the automobile I shouldn't have to pay a subscription fee to the maker of the automobile to get PERMISSION to use MY automobile. That's EXTORTION.

That's like if a mobster collects a fee from you for "neighborhood protection" except that the protection is from said mobster. Extortion.

I have been driving the same vehicle for the past 27 yrs because I hate modern cars. I was unaware that customers that have already OVERPAID for expensive cars loaded with sensors and computers and electronics and software so F'n complicated that even the manufacturers of those cars can't fix them have sometimes been required to pay subscriptions to get permission to use a feature. We're not talking about getting a data plan for internet connection or paying a monthly fee for OnStar Roadside Service. It's obvious why those are extra. I have no problem with Slate Auto wanting to make supplementary income by selling post-vehicle sale accessories, but there's no way I'm paying a subscription for an app that just gets me basic information from the vehicle's computer or use remote start, or something that doesn't require human-based customer service like roadside service.

Subscriptions are just another form of nickle-and-diming consumers to death and there's TONS of evidence out there that consumers are fed up with the subscription business model. If Slate Auto does subscriptions for basic car functions I will not be purchasing their products. I'll keep my Jeep running for another 27 yrs.

I’ll sum it up really easily for you. You don’t need a subscription to drive a car. Many modern cars offer a subscription for WiFi connectivity. This allows you to use features like remote start, locating the car, etc.
No different than paying for internet at your home, or data on your phone

 

[Swinefuzz]

I’ll sum it up really easily for you. You don’t need a subscription to drive a car. Many modern cars offer a subscription for WiFi connectivity. This allows you to use features like remote start, locating the car, etc.
No different than paying for internet at your home, or data on your phone

LOL I didn't say anything about paying a subscription to DRIVE the car.

I was saying that if Slate did like another commenter said about Jeep and Hyundai requiring absurd fees just to use their app, then I would reconsider doing business with Slate. Somebody please just charge ONCE for a feature, not enslave the customer via subscription hell. These features we're discussing don't require much human interaction for them to operate, they're largely just software on servers and aren't expensive to maintain and deploy. Pricey subscriptions are extreme overkill for features like that. If Slate did this, then they are not the opposite of Big Auto.

 

[TampaTerp]

The photo on the “maker” site confused me a bit showing the key fob inserted into the dash, so I emailed for clarification and wanted to share the answers with everyone.

“The Slate truck will feature keyless entry and push-to-start capabilities, so you won't need to insert the key fob into the dash. The Slate App will allow you to remotely activate climate control, lock/unlock doors, and more. However, I don't have information about any subscription fees for these features at the moment”

(I asked if there would be a subscription fee if they had those app features).

Thanks for asking this and posting the response. I was very curious about this exact topic. So happy to see the response. I have become spoiled by having the key on my phone and never having to go into pockets to go into the car or to lock it behind me.

 

[Saint Alban]

If I pay for the automobile and I own the automobile and I possess the title and the keys to the automobile I shouldn't have to pay a subscription fee to the maker of the automobile to get PERMISSION to use MY automobile. That's EXTORTION.

That's like if a mobster collects a fee from you for "neighborhood protection" except that the protection is from said mobster. Extortion.

I have been driving the same vehicle for the past 27 yrs because I hate modern cars. I was unaware that customers that have already OVERPAID for expensive cars loaded with sensors and computers and electronics and software so F'n complicated that even the manufacturers of those cars can't fix them have sometimes been required to pay subscriptions to get permission to use a feature. We're not talking about getting a data plan for internet connection or paying a monthly fee for OnStar Roadside Service. It's obvious why those are extra. I have no problem with Slate Auto wanting to make supplementary income by selling post-vehicle sale accessories, but there's no way I'm paying a subscription for an app that just gets me basic information from the vehicle's computer or use remote start, or something that doesn't require human-based customer service like roadside service.

Subscriptions are just another form of nickle-and-diming consumers to death and there's TONS of evidence out there that consumers are fed up with the subscription business model. If Slate Auto does subscriptions for basic car functions I will not be purchasing their products. I'll keep my Jeep running for another 27 yrs.

That reminds me, I had a 2010 and 2014 Camaro and OnStar also wanted a subscription for their app as well. Remote start was still free by using the key fob but using your phone was a fee. I just looked up what it is now:

“For 2025 and newer GM vehicles, OnStar Basics—including remote commands and crash response—is included free for 8 years. Upgraded plans are available:
• OnStar One: $34.99/month
• Safety & Security: $22.99/month
• Connect Plus: $19.99/month
• Connect: $9.99/month
For 2024 and older vehicles, plans start at $9.99/month, with higher tiers offering more features. Some features, like Super Cruise, require additional fees.”

What really upset me was a previous Hyundai we had. To use remote start, you had to use the app with a subscription and there was no button on the remote to do it otherwise. So it was a feature that the car was capable of behind a pay wall. Now they offer it free with new vehicles, but anyone with a previous model still has to pay.

 

[zipn]

A subscription fee is a non-starter for me. We'd absolutely avoid the Slate if a subscription is required to enable features already baked into the car.

I don't care if it's a $1 a year, we'd find another option just on principle. Lots of other EVs out there.