Video: Slate SUV top rear glass hinge flips up + cargo area room / size (relative to hockey bag)

[AKrietzer]

Another benefit of remotely starting pre-conditing is if your vehicle is plugged in, if you start pre-conditing, it doesn't draw from the battery. If you are getting ready to go to work, and it is still plugged in from overnight charging, use the app to start the pre-conditioning while you get ready for work. It will be ready to go and it was still charging by the time you leave.

 

[AZFox]

If you are getting ready to go to work, and it is still plugged in from overnight charging, use the app to start the pre-conditioning while you get ready for work.

How does the app communicate with the vehicle?

I would prefer pressing a button on the fob.

For work days, schedule pre-conditioning to happen at an appropriate time.

 

[KevinRS]

As far as we've been told, the app communicates with the vehicle through a USB connection.
Possibly the app would be used to set it up. Possibly scheduling, but so far there is no sign that the truck even has a digital clock. Possibly programming what the button press on the fob does.
This is all speculation for now though.

 

[E90400K]

How does the app communicate with the vehicle?

I would prefer pressing a button on the fob.

For work days, schedule pre-conditioning to happen at an appropriate time.

My problem is where I will charge my Slate is not in range of a cellular phone network and too far from the house to connect to the wifi (without an RF extender). I doubt the RF from the fob will reach either.

 

[cadblu]

As far as we've been told, the app communicates with the vehicle through a USB connection.

And where exactly is that USB connection located?
Inside the vehicle? Please say it isn’t so.

An app that only works when INSIDE the Slate… 😮

 

[AZFox]

An app that only works when INSIDE the Slate… 😮

Uh-oh....

 

[KevinRS]

And where exactly is that USB connection located?
Inside the vehicle? Please say it isn’t so.

An app that only works when INSIDE the Slate… 😮

That is exactly all we have been told. The app works to show vehicle information in the car, load updates through that USB connection, etc. There have been some ambiguous email answers to questions that implied that you could do stuff remotely from your phone, but every interview or answer from Chris Barman has clearly not mentioned any wireless connection even when asked.

Some people here seem to like that, and sound like a wireless connection would be a deal breaker,

I'd like to see at least a wireless option. Maybe not a cellular subscription.

 

[AZFox]

but every interview or answer from Chris Barman has clearly not mentioned any wireless connection even when asked.

During the reveal event Chris Barman said

"Night vision, fragrance diffusers, Wi-Fi, self-driving, self-parking, crystal infused speakers. It's all out there.Know what's not out there? An affordable, reliable new American vehicle that just happens to be electric."

So there's that.

 

[KevinRS]

During the reveal event Chris Barman said

"Night vision, fragrance diffusers, Wi-Fi, self-driving, self-parking, crystal infused speakers. It's all out there.Know what's not out there? An affordable, reliable new American vehicle that just happens to be electric."

So there's that.

Exactly, though she may have been referring more to the built in hotspot many vehicles now have, on certain trims, and with a subscription required.
A wifi add on without cellular would let you connect your phone to the truck at whatever range it reaches, and monitor charge etc.
A cellular add on that could be used with whatever sim you choose including prepaid options would let you do similar at unlimited range.
There are other RF possibilities that might fit somewhere in the middle of those 2, not sure how realistic they would be for adding to a vehicle.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

There have been some ambiguous email answers to questions that implied that you could do stuff remotely from your phone

Any chance you could point to the source for this? I’d sure appreciate it.