Net neutrality for cars: BMW's Apple CarPlay subscription could open Pandora's box

[FeedBot]

Jeff Haas commutes to downtown Denver each morning from suburban Englewood, Colorado. The first thing he does? He plugs his Apple iPhone into his 2018 BMW 340i’s USB port. The central screen on the dashboard switches from BMW’s proprietary iDrive software to a page of icons familiar to any Apple user. Jeff didn’t choose his BMW...

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[Ringo64]

I fully understand and agree with the one-time fee to utilize this software in the car. I do not understand a monthly fee as it is costing BMW absolutely zero by using it.

[Frosty]

It would be different if I was getting the latest version(s) of the software (e.g. new functionality and patch fixes to prevent hacking), much like my monthly IOS and Windows updates. However, most software upgrades have to flashed into the car by the dealer and are not typically done via the airwaves/wi-fi - like our PCs and smart phones. So this is just a money making scheme that someone obviously fell for. Savy buyers will avoid this like the plague.

I don't see auto manufacturers wanting to get into the automotive car patching business either. It's not something I expect to pay for on a regular basis either. I am with you Ringo, one and done.

Edited January 26, 2018 by Frosty