Then those can pay the $10/mo for the cellular based version. Or even then, one could just… provide their own SIM, if only they’d let you. Most carriers let you have an extra data only SIM to your line for fairly cheap for iPads and laptops, why not for your car?
The thing was deliberately engineer such that paying them is the only option. And those servers will inevitably get shut down at some point, making it all useless anyway.
My Audi used to back in 2013. Open the front panel and there were three slots. Two for SD cards (one nav, one music) and a SIM slot where you could bring your own. There were no connected services that you could use an app with, but it could access Google Maps, Yelp and have an in-car hotspot.
Then those can pay the $10/mo for the cellular based version. Or even then, one could just… provide their own SIM, if only they’d let you. Most carriers let you have an extra data only SIM to your line for fairly cheap for iPads and laptops, why not for your car?
The thing was deliberately engineer such that paying them is the only option. And those servers will inevitably get shut down at some point, making it all useless anyway.
A lot of cars have cell service… I’m not aware of any that allow for BYO SIM. It’s a great idea, though.
My Audi used to back in 2013. Open the front panel and there were three slots. Two for SD cards (one nav, one music) and a SIM slot where you could bring your own. There were no connected services that you could use an app with, but it could access Google Maps, Yelp and have an in-car hotspot.