Featured GM Blazer

i wouldn't have anything to do with a forum that strictly regulates content. what would it be, the nazichat?

 

Then we can move on to other software.

Let's keep it simple to start with.

And seriously I'd like to know what the Toyota app can do. I have had 4 Prius' going back to 2000 and had my last one till earlier this year.
They never had compelling features, IMO. But I admit I haven't checked in a few years.

Here is what I find useful in the Tesla app that most anyone would want:
- climate control (very useful for a charging EV in cold weather)...(temp, seat heaters, defrost, vent, get temp, dog mode)
- location (find GPS/address of where my car is in case I'm forgetful, spy on teenager or if it is stolen)
- schedule charging time/departure, start/stop/modify charging
- schedule service appointment and see all previous service
- roadside assistance (get a flat fixed or get rescued due to charging issue, dead battery, or other break down)
- remote lock, unlock, start, flash light/honk, etc.)

There are easily 30 or 40 other features (route/charging planning, update credit card info, etc.) but I won't list all these.

Next we can look at the entertainment features.

Mike

 

Viewing Sentry camera is one of my top one when parked in public space. Also having a phone key that doesn't need a paid subscription to use Bluetooth is nice.

 

How did we survive the dark ages when key start was the only "feature" necessary for the user and his car - no such thing as smart phones or interfaces- no need for software.

I bet whomever though of these "vital" needs and their subscription prices has a cherished place in the Automobile Industry.

When our vehicles were new they came with a 3 year subscription service which had some nice features but when the free trial ran out - we decided not to pay to continue them. The car locater was very nice to keep tabs on the younger child when they were out - which was a nice feature.

 

2004 Prius was my first car with sks, push button start and touch screen

 

Back in my day, I walked to school through the snow, uphill, both ways!!!

“We” (society) survived without AC, without antibiotics, without indoor plumbing, without cars at all.
The fact that society survived prior to certain advances doesn’t support the conclusion that the advance is unimportant.

It may well be, but such statements provide no support for such a conclusion.

 

Although I never lived it, I wouldn't go back to the age without indoor plumbing and washer/dryer.

 

Yeah but why would have to pay a connection fee for a service that uses a Bluetooth connection between you and the car? I can understand if an LTE connection is used, but Bluetooth??? They could have easily decoupled the phone key from the other part of the paid subscription...

 

I think it's just regular radio. But the short answer is "Toyota wants money" and remote start is a new revenue stream.

 

or-

maybe remote start for a car is not tied to the introduction of antibiotics or medical advancements.


I am looking for the conclusion/thought logic that ties car options to medical advancements.

 

I'm not talking about remote starting but just using your phone as a key. It's just a Bluetooth connection to the car as you approach it. It would be like Toyota charging a fee for using a fob instead of a physical key. It's stupid.

 

They are both things ‘we survived without’. My response was more about your use of that phrase, when that phrase is rather meaningless.

 

Don't understand your logic or reasoning we are talking about remote car starting and automobile apps- please clarify walking uphill both ways, indoor plumbing, medical advancements etc and what that has to do with the subject. Your speaking in non-sequiturs- trying to make a logic link here.

 

it's all part of the 'how did we survive without it' syndrome. our kids have never seen a pay phone

 

I drive what is now a 4 year old car.

I can lock it from 100 feet away if I forget to. Or unlock it.
I can honk its horn and blink its lights to tell me where in the parking lot I forgot I parked it.
I can walk up to it and open its rear hatch without ever reaching in my pocket or taking things out of both my hands.
I can close the rear hatch with both hands full.
If I touch the door handle it unlocks and opens the door.

If I don't have my phone with me, I can do all these things.

My total cost over 4 years is 2 key fob batteries.

Now tell me why I want to use a card pressed against the B pillar or an app for this.

 

I never leave home without my phone but the number of time I have to go back in the house to grab my fob... Hence why a phone key (not key card) that acts as a fob beats hands down carrying a fob with you. That key card stays in my wallet in case my phone dies.

If for some reason I don't have my wallet with me (happens sometime, especially in summer when I don't have a jacket to keep the wallet in) and my phone died, I can borrow any phone to call my wife so she can remotely unlock and start the car so I can drive back home.

All of that can be done without any subscription plans. Now tell me this doesn't beat having a fob...

 

Wouldn't be easier just to hide a mechanical key on the car somewhere. What if your wife is where she can't get reception, or her phone has died? If you don't have your wallet and your phone dies even if the car is unlocked how do you start it? What happens when cell service or an entire area goes out?
Cell sites out of power are expected to rise steeply following Hurricane Ian’s devastating damage | Wireless Estimator

Fobs have a backup where even if the battery dies they have a mechanical key that will unlock the car and pressing the start button with the dead fob will start the car.

Realize for some lifestyles what you are doing is preferable and certainly you have every right to do it the way you are doing it. I used to go for long walks waiting for my daughter to get out of school activities and when we had the free app she could call me and let me know she finished and unlock the car and start it from the phone app while she waited for me to get back to the car - I do know where you are coming from - but not something I would normally pay a subscription fee for.

 

With the Tesla phone app you can do all these things from 100 miles away...or 10,000 miles away.
I'm pretty sure it will work even further than that, too.

Mike

 

You contact Tesla support and after verification they can unlock the car.

Mike

 

Sure. It would also be easier to just leave the car unlocked and running.