Toyota Connected - anyone subscribe?

[maxx075]

I don't pay for it out of principle. That's it.

I'm not paying for features that I already either have or pay for through other means. I also am not paying you to hand over my driving information to 3rd parties (I know there are other means to get this info, but it's about limiting the spread).

Side note, you should really look into how much and what information these data brokers have on you. It's astounding.

Others are free to do as they wish, but in my opinion, doing so screws the rest of us as it further reinforces the idea that companies are allowed and should push the subscription model.

As the saying goes, you'll own nothing and you'll be happy.

Sponsored

 

[HoptownBob]

Can’t you remote start with the keyfob? That’s how I remote start my truck.

Yep, the only time I use remote start is in the morning before work, winter months. I can use my key fob that I leave on the end table for that. I have my card key in my wallet and never have to take it out. I don’t have a use for their $15 a month subscription.

 

[828findadventure]

I don't pay for it out of principle. That's it.

I'm not paying for features that I already either have or pay for through other means. I also am not paying you to hand over my driving information to 3rd parties (I know there are other means to get this info, but it's about limiting the spread).

Side note, you should really look into how much and what information these data brokers have on you. It's astounding.

Others are free to do as they wish, but in my opinion, doing so screws the rest of us as it further reinforces the idea that companies are allowed and should push the subscription model.

As the saying goes, you'll own nothing and you'll be happy.

You are 100% correct on the information gathering from any website or subscription etc. I personally just like to use the app to warm up my truck while walking to it after my daily workout at the gym.

 

[Will721]

I will be subscribing for the remote start. 9You can use the FOB but my work parking is too far for it, or any other remote start to work without LTE.

Alot of whiners will say it's supposed to be "baked in", but LTE isn't free to Toyota. AT&T/VERIZON/T-MOBILE all charge to use their towers. For that matter neither is App maintenance, continuous updates for security and compatibility for new phones or the multitude of different versions of android and IOS. Almost everyone charges for LTE based features, every aftermarket company does and pricing at $15/month is industry standard.

People complain and call it a subscription for "features the car already has" and compare to BMW or other car makers requiring subscriptions for heated seats are just ignorant.

Figured I'd just quote myself since so many missed it the first time. Now there's 3 pages of people arguing that it's hardware not software and one guy even posted about BMWs heated seats.


But incase all those people did read it, a question. How is a team of software engineers who work to maintain app security and compatability protocols AFTER you buy the truck supposed to be paid for? How is the monthly fee Toyota has to pay for your trucks connection to a cellular network get paid for? Do you not pay for Spotify either with a subscription or Ads to maintain their software engineers? If you wanted to add a cellphone to your current plan, or a hot spot, does your phone carrier not charge you for it?

There is a huge disconnect for people clearly. They aren't locking you out of hardware you already own. BMWs heated seats does, and that law in New York might put a stop to that. But what's hilarious is that same law wouldn't make a difference for us in this case at all. The argument could be made their overcharging or mabey a worry about data rights but saying it should be free is just nonsense. Again, even the aftermarket don't do that. Check viper or compustar.

 

[yoloborz]

I will be subscribing for the remote start. 9You can use the FOB but my work parking is too far for it, or any other remote start to work without LTE.

Alot of whiners will say it's supposed to be "baked in", but LTE isn't free to Toyota. AT&T/VERIZON/T-MOBILE all charge to use their towers. For that matter neither is App maintenance, continuous updates for security and compatibility for new phones or the multitude of different versions of android and IOS. Almost everyone charges for LTE based features, every aftermarket company does and pricing at $15/month is industry standard.

People complain and call it a subscription for "features the car already has" and compare to BMW or other car makers requiring subscriptions for heated seats are just ignorant.

I'm planning a trip where I'll need wifi and was seriously considering solar + starlink. Then I remembered my truck used to have wifi -- and it's $15 a month. OK well I can do that or pay however many hundreds for starlink. Now, I forget what the truck's AT&T wifi speed is, but hey it's a nice option to have on the table.

Now, I will gripe about GPS. Truck has a GPS antenna, it ought to show me roughly where I am on a map -- don't need any subscriptions for that, GPS always works (I know, there's updating maps but still). You paid for the whole truck, you ought to use the whole truck. Anyway, that's why God invented the iPhone.

Sponsored