Slate app - free or subscription?

[atx_ev]

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.

This for sure. My wifes mercedes infotainment requires you to click 3 buttons on the screen if you dont login.

If you do login you can use a pin or a fingerprint.

If you just start driving the infotainment is not accessible until you click the 3 buttons
1) cancel the login
2) use as an anonymous user
3) click to show the android auto screen/map

I do not want to login to my car. I just want to get in and drive.

 

[atx_ev]

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....

advanced features are against the ethos of slate. You also are paying for them even if you dont use them because they need software teams to implement that and the cost partially will be baked into the base car.

 

[Bayfire2441]

most phones already have this. I wouldnt want any functionality that the phone can already do.

I agree, I was just trying to answer that question specifically. Personally, I only ever use my remote start on my key fob and even then, I don't do that a whole lot.

 

[AZFox]

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

I do not want to login to my car. I just want to get in and drive.

advanced features are against the ethos of slate.

Absence of wireless connections is a feature, not a bug.

 

[ElectricShitbox]

Absence of wireless connections is a feature, not a bug.

My snipped OnStar connection agrees with you.

 

[KevinRS]

All the same, I'd like to see the possibility of plugging in a 3rd party or possibly open source device that gives some of those capabilities to those who want it, under the complete control of the owner.

 

[AZFox]

Slate Auto's general philosophy is to remove everything that isn't essential to a vehicle.

Wireless connectivity isn't essential to a vehicle.

 

[KevinRS]

Slate Auto's general philosophy is to remove everything that isn't essential to a vehicle.

Wireless connectivity isn't essential to a vehicle.

Yeah, not essential, but if the USB data port that the phone connects to is set up right, it could be added, with a small box with wifi and/or a prepaid sim, that could perform some of the functions a phone would, and could be connected to from a phone remotely, to locate the truck, preheat/cool the cab, check charge state, etc.
Heating I'd only need winter mornings when it would be in home wifi range, could also be done with the fob IF it is capable of that, cooling only on summer days, when leaving work, and likely not in wifi or fob range.
The charge state bit could potentially save money by avoiding congestion charges, along with being sure it is charging correctly.

 

[AZFox]

Yeah, not essential, but if the USB data port that the phone connects to is set up right, it could be added

I think the list of proposed non-essential features that aren't being included is a long one.

I recall that being discussed in a video, but I can't remember which one.

 

[metroshot]

Slate Auto's general philosophy is to remove everything that isn't essential to a vehicle.

Wireless connectivity isn't essential to a vehicle.

I think it should be an option for an extra charge.

For me, after experiencing over the air (OTA) software updates for 2 Ford EVs via AT&T cellular network makes me want that option.

If the EVs did not have OTA updates, especially very important recall issues - I'd be stuck in a huge line to get an appointment with a Repair Pal franchise and in the meantime my Slate may be unsafe to drive, charge or park.

Most recently, the 12V lockout recall was issued to all 2021-2025 Ford Mach E:
25S65 (NHTSA 25V404)
I had been trying to get an appointment at the dealer service dept as well as Ford's mobile service for over 3 months with no luck. All time slots for the recall fix were full for the next 4 months each time I tried to book a time.

Lo and behold, Ford received so many complaints that they pushed out the recall via OTA.

What a huge relief and time saver not having to block time off for this recall and have it done overnight while parked in my garage.

 

[ElectricShitbox]

I think it should be an option for an extra charge.

For me, after experiencing over the air (OTA) software updates for 2 Ford EVs via AT&T cellular network makes me want that option.

If the EVs did not have OTA updates, especially very important recall issues - I'd be stuck in a huge line to get an appointment with a Repair Pal franchise and in the meantime my Slate may be unsafe to drive, charge or park.

Most recently, the 12V lockout recall was issued to all 2021-2025 Ford Mach E:
25S65 (NHTSA 25V404)
I had been trying to get an appointment at the dealer service dept as well as Ford's mobile service for over 3 months with no luck. All time slots for the recall fix were full for the next 4 months each time I tried to book a time.

Lo and behold, Ford received so many complaints that they pushed out the recall via OTA.

What a huge relief and time saver not having to block time off for this recall and have it done overnight while parked in my garage.

Slate has already said that OTA updates will happen via your phone. You'll get an update downloaded to your slate app, then you plug it in and update the truck.

I love this because you get to decide IF you want the update, instead of just waking up to a bricked tesla.

 

[metroshot]

Slate has already said that OTA updates will happen via your phone. You'll get an update downloaded to your slate app, then you plug it in and update the truck.

I love this because you get to decide IF you want the update, instead of just waking up to a bricked tesla.

Excellent!

I am sold.

I'd love to have the "option" to install an update!

 

[cadblu]

I had been trying to get an appointment at the dealer service dept as well as Ford's mobile service for over 3 months with no luck. All time slots for the recall fix were full for the next 4 months each time I tried to book a time. Lo and behold, Ford received so many complaints that they pushed out the
What a huge relief and time saver not having to block time off for this recall and have it done overnight while parked in my garage.

Could not agree more. My Tesla had a few recalls, not a single one required a service appointment. All OTA. My wife’s Toyota was recalled for a software glitch on the backup camera display, and I missed an afternoon at work while at the dealer. All Tesla’s updates were overnight while I slept. This is how it should be, folks!

 

[AZFox]

For me, after experiencing over the air (OTA) software updates for 2 Ford EVs via AT&T cellular network makes me want that option.

Updating firmware doesn't require wireless radios.

Connect the USB cable and apply the update using the app.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

I love this because you get to decide IF you want the update, instead of just waking up to a bricked tesla.

Has this happened to you?