Slate Website / Configurator Update + New Accessories and Parts

[AZFox]

Some will see a 'whole audio package' as a form of technology that isn't necessary to make the Slate Truck a truck, and can do without an audio package.

An audio system, like AWD, is something people believe is necessary. Whether it's actually necessary or not., buyers will consider it a must-have feature.

I get it and understand where you draw your conclusions. You are under no obligation to belabor your points.

I'll do it anyway.

It boils down to this:

• People want an audio system in their vehicle.
• The Slate "doesn't come with a radio".
• Preferences around audio system vary widely.
• Slate will offer a variety of audio systems to suit individual preferences.
• My original suggestion was to provide a DIY kit for a DIN stereo.
• @KevinRS's suggestion of a DIN radio and speakers (whole audio package) is also something people will want, so Slate should make that available.

I perceive part of Radical Simplicity to be stripping away unnecessary complexities and focusing on essential elements. It also means other refinements of various sorts, hence Slate only needs to assemble ~600 parts instead of the usual thousands and they don't need to paint the car at the factory. Are we together on that?

Providing an easy (relatively simple) way to to add the "missing" radio is completely consistent with Slate's Radical Simplicity ethos because the the Blank Slate can be made simpler AND someone can easily add the stereo of their choice -- possibly a kit of matched components that's an easy-to-install "whole audio package" -- if they desire..

IMHO leaving out that choice would be an oversight because that choice overcomes the "but it needs a radio" objection.

 

[motorolas]

My thought was, going by what Slate mentioned about repair, wraps and accessories.
have Slate focus on the safety accessories in house.
But leave the fun stuff to other companies and manufactures.
Slate is working with a wrap company for wraps and install.
Slate is working with a repair company “RepairPal” that has service centers across America.
Maybe Slate can just offer the DIN to place what you want in there, and partner up with companies like Best Buy and Crutchfield for audio installs.
Slate could even have RepairPal do basic audio installs.
We still are waiting to see how Slate builds out the SUV kits, maybe at that part of the build, basic audio can be part of the package.

 

[AZFox]

Maybe Slate can just offer the DIN to place what you want in there, and partner up with companies like Best Buy and Crutchfield for audio installs.

There's a certain simplicity to that. Engineer just what's necessary to allow off-the-shelf components to be turned into a complete solution. That's the general idea I was thinking of when I originally wrote "Maybe they'll offer a "DIN Radio Kit that provides everything you need except the radio unit and your choice of speakers."

Pre-configured solutions will be available one way or another.

The new CEO is an Amazon Marketplace veteran, so it's reasonable to assume third-party pre-configured audio systems will offered on a Slate website with instructions for installation on the the Slate University website.

 

[ElectricShitbox]

A well designed bluetooth speaker setup is the "radically simple" version of an infotainment system. The infotainment system you carry in your pocket anyway + good speakers = everything most people need.

 

[AZFox]

A well designed bluetooth speaker setup is the "radically simple" version of an infotainment system. The infotainment system you carry in your pocket anyway + good speakers = everything most people need.

If you're alone and like Bluetooth a bone conduction headset works magnificently.

Bone conduction headsets transmit sound through vibrations in the skull bones directly to the inner ear, bypassing the eardrum and outer ear. This allows users to hear audio while keeping their ears open to surrounding sounds, enhancing situational awareness.​

 

[ElectricShitbox]

If you're alone and like Bluetooth a bone conduction headset works magnificently.

Bone conduction headsets transmit sound through vibrations in the skull bones directly to the inner ear, bypassing the eardrum and outer ear. This allows users to hear audio while keeping their ears open to surrounding sounds, enhancing situational awareness.​

I was going to add the the best "car audio" I've ever experienced is when I would commute on back country roads and listen to music with my sennheiser noise cancelling headphones, haha.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

People want an audio system in their vehicle.

Not me. I don’t have a need for an audio system. I outgrew that years ago. If I (ever) want a high-fidelity audio sound system I surely wouldn't want it in my truck, and that money would be better spent on a home theater system. Count me out.

Edit:
This is a current picture of the dashboard of my CJ-7. You remember what these look like. I don’t want to cut the dash to install a DIN radio and do not want to tempt a thief with an easy target.
If I could find a cheap AM/FM mono 2-shaft radio that would fit and that no one would be tempted to steal, I might fill that empty space. Otherwise I’m good enjoying driving my CJ-7 without any ‘audio package’ and plan on treating a Slate truck just the same.

 

[KevinRS]

My read on everything they have stated so far would indicate that they will have a din or double din kit, probably both, possibly not made in house, but just like the kits you bought in the past to put a din type radio into a car that didn't come with din, that you could get anywhere you bought aftermarket radios. You looked up which kit you needed for your car model, and bought an injection molded adapter, as well as a wiring adapter.
They will also from my read likely have complete 3rd party audio kits available, add it to your build in the maker, and when you order, Crutchfield or whoever ships it to you.
On the bluetooth speakers rendered, JBL is showing now, but there have also been renders that look a lot like the Walmart branded speakers, not sure who manufactures them, they may not have anything like an exclusive partnership, but any company that wants to list their speakers, can apply and get them added.
The same will apply to every possible accessory. Half the accessories rendered in the maker from the start may not even be anything Slate is actually making, but having 3rd parties make, some may still be waiting on a 3rd party.

 

[AZFox]

you say the technology of another kind of radio communication in the form of a mobile data connection is problematic for 'people' and Slate should not be developing or providing such technology.

I don't think I've ever said that.

To the contrary, I said "The only legitimate thing I can think of is some sort of hardware dongle and wireless service that allows remote access via the app, where the subscription is for the wireless service part."

What I was imagining when I wrote that was a very simple solution that does one thing (creates a secure cellular connection to the car) and does it well, without a lot of Feature Creep.

What I object to is lucrative and privacy-invading subscriptions / paywalled features.

Holding features for ransom is an ugly car company practice that compromises the feeling of ownership. IMHO crippleware subscription features are repugnant, and they're the kind of thing people attracted to the Slate want to avoid.

So if a Cellular Access Dongle can be provided in a way that respects privacy, and doesn't require the Blank Slate to be more expensive, it's conceivably a reasonable idea.

I have NO IDEA if that's something actually achievable as a practical matter.

But I personally am wary of those who go online and profess that their way is the only right way and try to push that opinion on others as the Truth and the Only Truth to be forced on others for compliance.

I'm wary of those people too.

I've never done that and don't plan on ever doing it.

 

[KevinRS]

Considering that most fleet buyers will want something like that dongle and what it would enable, and a portion of consumers will too, I have to figure it's on the roadmap. Actually fleets probably will want it in a different less accessible, less removable location than consumers, but it will probably be easy for Slate to provide that.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

I don't think I've ever said that.

I don't want my Slate to transmit radio signals at all.
No Bluetooth
No Wi-Fi
No cellular
Radio silence for the win.

When it's parked I want it to just sit there waiting for signals from the fob. That's the extent of it.

If you could turn that off I might even do that.

Must be another hallucination. 🤷‍♂️

 

[AZFox]

Must be another hallucination. 🤷‍♂️

Indeed it must be.

I made a simple statement about my preference:
"I don't want my Slate to transmit radio signals at all."

You somehow read into that:
"the technology of another kind of radio communication in the form of a mobile data connection is problematic for 'people' and Slate should not be developing or providing such technology"

You see something that isn't there.