Slate app - free or subscription?

[Letas]

I think Slate is banking on people either not needing a particular feature, or making it easy for people to roll their own to get it. Paint is one of the most obvious unnecessary features that is solved by using panels that can't rust or corrode. If people want different colors, they can wrap it.

Similarly, I hope infotainment/stereo can easily be outfitted nicely. I used to install an aftermarket stereo in every vehicle I owned until the built-in options made it prohibitive. A good stereo is important to me so it's on my short list of modifications to do to the truck, but I can see why Slate doesn't include one. Hopefully the platform makes it easy to add a good stereo in the same way the body panels are fitted for easy wrapping.

I think the closer is the key here. Not including an infotainment/radio/whatever you choose to call it will turn away large swaths of buyers. Sure there is a small portion of people who enjoy the sound of road noise, or install their own on every vehicle, but Slate needs to make it easy to install one. The whole "bring your own iPad" notion is... silly at best.

 

[cadblu]

I think Slate is banking on people either not needing a particular feature, or making it easy for people to roll their own to get it. Paint is one of the most obvious unnecessary features that is solved by using panels that can't rust or corrode. If people want different colors, they can wrap it.

Similarly, I hope infotainment/stereo can easily be outfitted nicely. I used to install an aftermarket stereo in every vehicle I owned until the built-in options made it prohibitive. A good stereo is important to me so it's on my short list of modifications to do to the truck, but I can see why Slate doesn't include one. Hopefully the platform makes it easy to add a good stereo in the same way the body panels are fitted for easy wrapping.

Yes, and by purposely NOT including features that distract the driver, e.g. a large center screen filled with apps; CarPlay, a 400-watt audio system for music and podcast streaming, internet browser, etc....all of this positions the Slate to be a solid choice as a fleet vehicle. I think Slate got it right with this decision. Instead of concentrating on the displays, the driver's attention should be solely focused on the road conditions and the actions of other drivers. The phone or tablet integration should be restricted to navigation, range, battery information, and of course hands-free phone operation. Just make sure to get the ER battery option.

I've bought company fleet vehicles in the past, and I recall that drivers got into too many accidents. Many were caused due to excessive speed and not tying down cargo properly. And a few due to distracted driving (like rear ending the car in front at a red light) although nobody would admit to that. I think driving a Slate for official company business would be a good move, not only to help reduce accidents but also to lower commercial insurance premiums.

 

[Adam W]

Not including an infotainment/radio/whatever you choose to call it will turn away large swaths of buyers.

There's some room to shift the messaging on this from "no infotainment included" to "you get to pick, from the entire world of options, the best infotainment solution for you."

I think that's a much better selling proposition than getting stuck with whatever proprietary garbage software interface comes with most vehicles these days.

 

[Letas]

There's some room to shift the messaging on this from "no infotainment included" to "you get to pick, from the entire world of options, the best infotainment solution for you."

I think that's a much better selling proposition than getting stuck with whatever proprietary garbage software interface comes with most vehicles these days.

Sure.... as long as Slate actually makes it easy to install. "you get to pick, from the entire world of options, the best infotainment solution for you." is true for really any vehicle, just depends how much effort you're willing to put in.

If Slate offers easy to install options, it's a hit. Important to remember that this is additional cost, not at purchase price, but still cost to the consumer. If it costs $2500 and a weekend of work to add an infotainment/speaker setup, that is a different conversation than $500 and an afternoon.

 

[beatle]

There are still a lot of double- and single-DIN stereos out there with screens that are AA/CP capable. If Slate provides a blanking plate of these sizes, you could easily install one if they also use an OEM style connector for the harness. Whether Slate also pre-runs the wiring for speakers is another question. That's not impossible or particularly expensive, but it's not free either. This is about as basic as I think they can make it without telling people to cut their own dash hole, fab up brackets, and run their own wires to the fuse box.

 

[atx_ev]

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.

you dont need ota to do updates

download the update via your phone. Connect your phone to the usb connection. Update car.

 

[AZFox]

I think Slate's idea of offering one option and doing the rest with accessories is brilliant.

It's not for everybody, but doesn't need to be.

I think a lot of people will choose to install the Front Center Integrated Speaker and be satisfied with the fully-integrated "crystal clear balanced audio" it provides.

 

[AZFox]

Before long we’ll be complaining about lack of options - It’s already happening here on this forum. 🤣

Having more choices is not always better.

The Paradox of Choice, written by Barry Schwartz, argues that having more options can lead to increased anxiety, dissatisfaction, and regret, rather than greater freedom and happiness. Schwartz suggests that fewer choices can simplify decision-making and enhance overall satisfaction.​

Choosing among models, trim levels, and equipment packages gets in the way of deciding.

"We looked a industry was doing and did the opposite."​

--Chris Barman​

Instead you make one option choice and accessorize from there.

You end up with a unique build that suits your unique purposes.

If someone makes a Ready-Fire-Aim decision and later regrets buying the vehicle because an option is missing, that's a self-inflicted wound.