What is the wi-fi for?

i thought it didn't have wi fi. there is another recent thread on this, but eu may be different.

with wi-fi, you can use safety connect/entune to avoid cell data use. but you have to pay a monthly subscription.

 

It's not Wi-Fi as in 802.11A-B-G-N-AC, but rather a 3G connection in North America.

 

so...no 4GLTE? just 3G?

 

There was a mention that the 2018 Camry with Entune 3.0 actually has a Wi-Fi hotspot with a limited free subscription with Verizon.
WiFi is not an Internet connection. It is just a networking method like Bluetooth or wired Ethernet.
We have some Wi-Fi devices here that are just connected to each other with no Internet access. One use case is for a Football team band. They use Wi-Fi so a worker in the stands can remotely control their sound console with an iPad. It is just a local network for those two devices though (and the Wi-Fi access point).

 

I've seen references to 3G but not 4G. I'm still searching. It's not mentioned in the technical handout

 

The reason 3G (CDMA) vs 4G (LTE) is relevant is that the Safety Connect cellular provider is Verizon, who has stated their intention to shut down their 2G/3G system in 2019. Some years ago, GM OnStar users were left in the dust when the cellular systems shut down their analog systems. There is discussion in cell phone forums that Verizon may keep a sliver of 2G/3G service available for a while after stopping officially supporting 2G/3G, just for supporting embedded systems such as Safety Connect (assuming that Safety connect uses 2G/3G; I don't know for sure). There are lots of 2G/3G devices out there embedded in remote controls for off-site machinery and alarm systems, as well as telematic systems in cars like Safety Connect. These are low speed data services that simply don't need high speed 4G data. It isn't just old codgers hanging on to their flip phones (you know, folks who have that quaint notion that phones are for talking on).

 

The European Primes (called plug-ins over here) are quite different beasts to the ones sold elsewhere.
You can specify the solar roof panel or the heads up display, but not both (weight restrictions according to my dealer!)
Apart from the obvious screen size where we have to settle for the small version, we can't use the Entune platform for the infotainment system and have to suffer the mostly unfinished "Touch 2 Go" system.
The WiFi setting you mention is only usable if you install either the Toyota HotSpot hardware (currently unavailable) or use your phone to tether the car to it's data plan.
You should be able to make the car go online via Bluetooth using the phone's data plan but this most definately does not work with my Samsung S7 or S8 devices.
When you do eventually get online, you can use several apps that are quite useful such as AhA! for internet radio, app for local petrol prices, weather forecast, Google street view and live traffic updates to your map.
You are also supposed to be able to log in to the MyToyota page on the web, plan a trip and send that data to the car to save time but even that doesn't work.
Although I love my Prime, the infotainment sucks I'm afraid and is riddled with bugs right now even after several dealer updates.
The MirrorLink function using an Android phone simply does not work, in fact Toyota has said that this function is now dropped.
The preset buttons on the DAB radio come and go quite randomly.
The voice command system takes ages before the system is ready to use after booting up, and even then I can't regulate the temperature via voice like my previous Prius.
Apparently Toyota are finally going over to the Android Auto platform for the next generation of cars so I hear.
But all that aside, I have just passed the 7000 Km mark and still have half a tank of gas from delivery.
Here in Norway charging your car is basically free in most parking places and supermarket parking areas.

 

Thank you for the explanation.
The 2018 Camry in the US th based on the TNGA platform and has the newest Entune software. No Android Auto for the US.