Subscription Features Poll

[slateya]

Slate appears to have confirmed remote connectivity via the ability to remote start via phone app and yet to be determined subscription fees.

I’ll reserve commenting my personal opinion until the pole response is more filled out.

 

[Letas]

I’m skeptical that they even “confirmed” this. I’m ~95% sure they stated the car would not even have internet connectivity, and updated would come through your phone. That would make remote start via a phone app impossible.

That being said, I’ve had remote connectivity on my car for ~4 years now, and have debated canceling many times. Then I realize I use it nearly every day. $15 a month to not sit in a scalding hot car is worth it to me!

 

[Saint Alban]

I’m skeptical that they even “confirmed” this. I’m ~95% sure they stated the car would not even have internet connectivity, and updated would come through your phone. That would make remote start via a phone app impossible.

That being said, I’ve had remote connectivity on my car for ~4 years now, and have debated canceling many times. Then I realize I use it nearly every day. $15 a month to not sit in a scalding hot car is worth it to me!

Didn’t they say their app would have vehicle analytics? With no wireless connectivity, I guess that would only happen if you’re physically plugging in your phone.

Also, if I have the ability to just start climate control with the key fob (which it seems like it has), I wouldn’t bother with a subscription. I may be cheap, but even $15 a month seems like too much for me.

 

[GoinPostall]

If I'm buying a vehicle, I expect to be able to use everything that's installed on it. I will not pay for any subscription on a vehicle.

 

[Letas]

If I'm buying a vehicle, I expect to be able to use everything that's installed on it. I will not pay for any subscription on a vehicle.

I do not believe there is a single vehicle made in 2025 (sold in America, at least) that does not offer a subscription, for some type of service.

 

[Letas]

Didn’t they say their app would have vehicle analytics? With no wireless connectivity, I guess that would only happen if you’re physically plugging in your phone.

Also, if I have the ability to just start climate control with the key fob (which it seems like it has), I wouldn’t bother with a subscription. I may be cheap, but even $15 a month seems like too much for me.

I'd assuming the analytics will output to the phone via bluetooth or wired connection. Just like an OBD.

To your second point, many will probably agree. I personally find value in it, but other's may not. I can cancel whenever I would like, and still choose to keep paying!

 

[Adam W]

I understand the value of a subscription when there is some sort of network connectivity that's required. Remote HVAC for instance from the app, the truck would need to have a constant cell tower/satellite connection to know when to turn it on when you're away from the truck. There's servers and other infrastructure involved. Probably only pennies worth of compute services, so how that gets marked up to a 15$ cost to the consumer is wild, but that's another discussion.

What I am vehemently opposed to are subscriptions to unlock features of the car that are already built in. Heated seat warmers, or sport mode tuning for example require no external services to function.

I don't actually think this is in the cards for Slate anyway. I don't think there will be any wifi/cell/satellite connectivity. I expect that the phone app will need to be plugged in directly for diagnostics and updates, maybe work within the short range of bluetooth for remote unlock etc, and the key fob will be a regular old RF signal which will work from a room adjacent to the garage, but probably not across the house.

 

[SlateX]

Ford has it for free so I would buy the Maverick instead.