Slate app - free or subscription?

[sodamo]

Both my Toyota Tundra and Subaru Ascent have apps, both have free and subscription features. I only use the free.

 

[sodamo]

I doubt that the truck would be showing up as a router, that has no internet, for the phone to connect to. It's really all complete speculation how and if there will be any wireless connection between phone and truck at all, the truck's only connection being through a cable to the phone to do everything from see battery status to downloading updates has been pretty strongly implied.
On the start button question, all we have seen have been mockups, not sure how they have started at all, with no button or anything. They may have had a simple toggle switch hidden behind the dash. That kind of thing would probably be why they didn't let anyone at all test drive them.

Internet isn’t required to connect to router.

 

[AZFox]

It's really all complete speculation how and if there will be any wireless connection between phone and truck at all, the truck's only connection being through a cable to the phone to do everything from see battery status to downloading updates has been pretty strongly implied.

The Radically Simple way to do it would be something like
• Wired connection for the app
• Secure Key Ignition Module for ignition
• Fob button for pre-conditioning
• Configurable settings via the dash screen

 

[Bayfire2441]

The Radically Simple way to do it would be something like
• Wired connection for the app
• Secure Key Ignition Module for ignition
• Fob button for pre-conditioning
• Configurable settings via the dash screen

From what we've seen so far, any configurations would have to be done via app. I don't think they have shown any way to interact with the dash screen.

 

[AZFox]

From what we've seen so far, any configurations would have to be done via app. I don't think they have shown any way to interact with the dash screen.

Steering Wheel Buttons

 

[Bayfire2441]

Steering Wheel Buttons

I forgot that cruise was standard. Fair point. Although, can't say I'd be a big fan of them using the cruise buttons for screen navigation.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

From my experience, there is seemingly no way to avoid the congestion fees. In fact, Tesla has implemented TWO fees:

1. a fee of 50 cents per minute after you reach an 80% SOC. This presents a problem if your next destination doesn't have a charger close by.

2. a fee of 50 cents per minute once your charging session is complete. You have a 5-minute grace period to move your vehicle. You need to take this into consideration if you go shopping and there's a line at the checkouts.

Although it hasn't yet happened to me, it's conceivable that you could be charged BOTH fees under certain circumstances. You get stuck on a long line at Target or somehow arrive 15 minutes late after getting your Starbucks, that just costed you an extra $15, compliments of Tesla.

Good points, and I understand where you are coming from. But these points have nothing to do with the vehicle manufacturer; they are from the charging network.

Your example just happens to be Tesla, who worked to provide a solution to the charging problem. There are other charging networks, and plenty of Tesla charging stations that impose congestion pricing only during times of congestion.

I still want to avoid these fees, and connectivity allows that without waiting inside the cab.

I also want to avoid speculation over something that doesn't yet exist! I'm still hopeful that Slate actually makes it to production & beyond.

 

[ElectricShitbox]

They just sent an answer to my other question I sent in. I don't have my original wording, but I asked what they're doing to make sure their parts and accessories don't become a "closed ecosystem", and about whether or not anything was going to be "subscription based" (thinking about the Slate app, etc).

"To answer your question, we are aiming to keep our parts very simple here at Slate. Nearly all of our parts can be found at any typical auto shop, and the pieces such as body panels, can be ordered directly through us by you. Secondly, Slate will not be utilizing any subscription based services at this point. We wanted your vehicle to not only be something you can DIY and have fun working on, but fully own!"

I had posted this elsewhere, but Slate is claiming no subscriptions, at least implying that the app is free.

 

[AZFox]

I had posted this elsewhere, but Slate is claiming no subscriptions, at least implying that the app is free.

 

[metroshot]

I am sure you will get a choice.
Free app and free basic controls or paid subscription for more advanced features.

I love my Ford Pass app - I can start remotely, lock/unlock from anywhere (not have to be in NFC/BT range); track it's location, set the charge level, look up maintenance, and note all charge history info....

My Apple cellular activated watch also has the app in case I forget my phone.

I will be renewing Ford Connected services this year as the 3 year trial ends....

 

[AZFox]

Free app and free basic controls or paid subscription for more advanced features.

The agent who wrote "We wanted your vehicle to not only be something you can DIY and have fun working on, but fully own!" understands why It's unacceptable to buy a vehicle with paywalled built-in features.

Consumers are catching on.

Subscription Fatigue is a thing.

Full ownership FTW.

See also:
• Consumers Hate Paying A Subscription To Use Features Their Car Already Has, And The Data Proves it
• In-Car Subscriptions: Consumer Backlash and Automaker Responses
• Car Subscription Services Are Becoming A New Financial Trap

 

[KevinRS]

As there has been no mention of even any hardware that might go with a subscription, I think there is a possibility of add on hardware that might do those kind of things. A small device that plugs into USB power behind the dash door, and has a cell connection, and allows remote start of heater/AC, lock/unlock, locate, etc.
I guess you might be able to do it with a cheap cell phone hidden in there, or better something like a raspberry pi hidden behind the dash, both requiring getting the software right, and the truck being able to do some of those things without the fob in the slot.

 

[ValkorTheOptimistic]

Too many comments to reply to individually, but wow.

If I wanted a car with geolocation and OTA updates, I WOULDN'T be looking at a Slate. If I wanted to be able to check my tire pressure while on the toilet, I WOULDN'T be looking at a Slate.

I don't want to manage a user account, much less a feature subscription, just to drive my car to and from work.

I have no beef with Ford Pass or people who like it, but it's not what I'm looking for. When you get too far into that stuff, you can end up with more software engineers than design engineers on your vehicle project. Trust me. That drives up costs and complexity for a truck that's ostensibly "basic".

It's going to be MY truck, and get your radio transmitters off of it.

Yeah, I don't need any of those things. I don't particularly need to control those features from a fob, and I really don't want to think about my phone trying to juggle some kind of wireless connection (plus security) through an app developed by three overworked programmers and an intern.

 

[KevinRS]

Too many comments to reply to individually, but wow.

If I wanted a car with geolocation and OTA updates, I WOULDN'T be looking at a Slate. If I wanted to be able to check my tire pressure while on the toilet, I WOULDN'T be looking at a Slate.

I don't want to manage a user account, much less a feature subscription, just to drive my car to and from work.

I have no beef with Ford Pass or people who like it, but it's not what I'm looking for. When you get too far into that stuff, you can end up with more software engineers than design engineers on your vehicle project. Trust me. That drives up costs and complexity for a truck that's ostensibly "basic".

It's going to be MY truck, and get your radio transmitters off of it.



Yeah, I don't need any of those things. I don't particularly need to control those features from a fob, and I really don't want to think about my phone trying to juggle some kind of wireless connection (plus security) through an app developed by three overworked programmers and an intern.

I think that was an older response, that may have had some errors in it.