[The Automotive Enthusiast]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

Unlike many automakers that offer Apple CarPlay in their new cars, BMW makes you pay for it on all of their models. That’s unlikely to change, but it may soon cut a break to those who don’t use iOS or don’t like Apple’s smartphone integration system for the car.

The automaker next year will turn CarPlay into a subscription-based service rather than treating it as a one-time option, Don Smith, technology product manager for BMW North America, told The Verge at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show on Tuesday.

“This allows the customer to switch devices,” he said. “A lot of people buy [CarPlay] and think it’s okay, but sometimes they stop using it or switch to Android.” “This allows the customer to switch devices”

BMW added CarPlay for 2017 as a $300 option on cars equipped with built-in navigation. It introduced a wireless CarPlay setup with charging on the 5 Series last year, too, supported by the latest iDrive 6.0 interface. Smith said the new plan would be free for the first year of ownership on a new BMW. After that, owners would be asked to pay $80 per year to keep the service. Over the course of a three or four-year lease, it would still work out to less money than the option is now, he said.

Currently, BMW doesn’t offer Android Auto on any of its vehicles. But Smith said Google Assistant is coming to new BMW models later in 2018. The company already announced it would add Amazon Alexa to its new models. Smith said more Alexa skills would be enabled later this year to control more than just basic vehicle functions such as locks and lights.

https://www.theverge.com/2018/1/16/1...auto-show-2018

[Ibiza]

The Verge is also reporting that starting next year Apple CarPlay is going to subscription.

Is BMW going to make you pay for Apple CarPlay every year?
https://www.theverge.com/2018/1/16/1...auto-show-2018

AppleInsider
BMW to charge drivers $80 per year for CarPlay access in 2019
http://iphone.appleinsider.com/artic...access-in-2019

[allinon72]

What is so damn hard about Android Auto integration? Other automakers have made it available at the snap of the fingers, BMW makes it sound like they have to recode the entire idrive system to do so.

[mkoesel]

Next up:

- Subscribe to your digital dashboard! If you don't particularly care how fast you are going, you are all set - no fees. Otherwise, that's a nominal fee of $4.99 a month which we think is a generous offer considering the price of a speeding ticket.

- Pay per use fuel gauge indicator. Always keep your tank topped off? Great, you've got no need for any indicator then. For owners who want a little more peace of mind, we offer the monitor at a $5.99 monthly fee. It is a matter of economics vs. running out of fuel and calling for assistance.

- Rear-door opt in. Don't typically have passengers in the car? You'll won't usually have to pay to use your doors then. For those that need the back seat on regular basis, we have two payment plans - one for both doors, and one for passenger side only for the family of three. Prices start at $12.99/mo.

- Optional blinker package. Blinker lights will be made optional - we have listened to the marketplace and our customers do not use these on a regular basis. All part of the $1000 ZBL package which includes front and rear blinker lights and interior indicators. Possible on-demand subscription service forthcoming.

Also coming on a trial basis for pay-as-you-go plans next year - HUD, rear view mirror, manual-shift/paddle-shift user interface, air-bag deployment, and USB/power outlets.

[hoyasaxa]

Originally Posted by Ibiza

The Verge is also reporting that starting next year Apple CarPlay is going to subscription.

Is BMW going to make you pay for Apple CarPlay every year?
https://www.theverge.com/2018/1/16/1...auto-show-2018

AppleInsider
BMW to charge drivers $80 per year for CarPlay access in 2019
http://iphone.appleinsider.com/artic...access-in-2019

That's shitty.

By the way, the current car play is a 10 year license or something, not forever.

[allinon72]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Next up:

- Subscribe to your digital dashboard! If you don't particularly care how fast you are going, you are all set - no fees. Otherwise, that's a nominal fee of $4.99 a month which we think is a generous offer considering the price of a speeding ticket.

- Pay per use fuel gauge indicator. Always keep your tank topped off? Great, you've got no need for any indicator then. For owners who want a little more peace of mind, we offer the monitor at a $5.99 monthly fee. It is a matter of economics vs. running out of fuel and calling for assistance.

- Rear-door opt in. Don't typically have passengers in the car? You'll won't usually have to pay to use your doors then. For those that need the back seat on regular basis, we have two payment plans - one for both doors, and one for passenger side only for the family of three. Prices start at $12.99/mo.

- Optional blinker package. Blinker lights will be made optional - we have listened to the marketplace and our customers do not use these on a regular basis. All part of the $1000 ZBL package which includes front and rear blinker lights and interior indicators. Possible on-demand subscription service forthcoming.

Also coming on a trial basis for pay-as-you-go plans next year - HUD, rear view mirror, manual-shift/paddle-shift user interface, air-bag deployment, and USB/power outlets.

And they'll package it all up as "consumer choice."

Based on the feedback on Carplay........good luck maintaining a subscriber base.

[zx10guy]

Originally Posted by allinon72

What is so damn hard about Android Auto integration? Other automakers have made it available at the snap of the fingers, BMW makes it sound like they have to recode the entire idrive system to do so.

Because they've continued the traditional of giving us Android users the middle finger. It's all about Apple at BMW. The sad support BMW has provided for Android users has pushed me into using a 3rd party system to get the functionality we should have.

[Viffermike]

This is also a good way to guarantee a higher take rate for other one-time choice options such as Nav. Think about how many use CarPlay for that instead of an OEM Nav system. (I do in my P-car.) Than, think about how many skip choosing that option because of CarPlay compatibility. You can see how this is designed to encourage an uptick on BMW's side ...

This is also evidence that Android Auto will FINALLY become available across the BMW range for the 2019 model year.

My questions now are:
- How long before Apple itself begins charging for CarPlay? If there aren't any plans to do so, Apple may have a pretty big problem with a subscription model that it doesn't control. And:
- If BMW doesn't have the same subscription model for Android Auto -- which it shouldn't since Android Auto is much more open source by design -- what kind of conflict will that create among BMW, Apple, and Google?

My bet: If this happens at all, it will only last a year.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

.My questions now are:
- How long before Apple itself begins charging for CarPlay? If there aren't any plans to do so, Apple may have a pretty big problem with a subscription model that it doesn't control.

Since automakers license the technology, I would suppose that if this is not explicitly covered in the licensing contract, Apple won't have any leverage.

Now of course the legal system is complex and there may be any number of nuances to exploit and litigate over on Apple's part. But to what end? After all, automakers - BMW included as you may have seen in the recent story elsewhere in this forum - are moving toward a subscription model for their vehicles themselves. So why shouldn't they be able use the same model for individual services within the vehicle if they so choose? If Apple objects, BMW can simply switch to a subscription for all head-unit features in the car, or all telematics-related features, or all electronics features, etc. At that point they are moving closer to the whole-vehicle subscription model than the individual CarPlay subscription. And if Apple still objects to even that, the automaker can make it even more coarse grained. Cat and mouse.

I don't see this as a legal battle worth pursuing for Apple. It seems to me that Apple has determined and received what it believes is its fair piece of the pie as a result of the licensing fees they already charge the automaker. Just my take.

Edit 1/18: I want to make it clear that I’m not standing up for BMW here, just playing devil’s advocate for a moment. I think that charging extra fees (flat, subscription, or otherwise) for content that should be standard - and is in most vehicles - since it makes the vehicle a safer place to be is in poor form (as my earlier post in this thread should hopefully emphasize ).

[VR1]

BMW and nickel and diming customers. Name a more iconic duo.

[Ibiza]

CarPlay is junk especially in the M4 non-touch screen. I ordered for both 2018's (F83&F85) as Ibiza'sWife likes it. I wouldn't subscribe past the 1st free year. Similar to the hotspot AT&T data subscription which I haven't to date activate on either vehicle. After the free 1 year Sirius trail, I obtain Sirius via a streaming subscription so I can use in both vehicles, on my iPhones and Sonos/Control4 system at home. Most bang for the buck.

[Nuckle]

I won't have CarPlay in my next BMW even if it is free. It is terrible.

[The HACK]

Originally Posted by VR1

BMW and nickel and diming customers. Name a more iconic duo.

Bring My Wallet.

[nujabes24]

Lol this is going to be added to the executive package smh.

[spazzyfry123]

I find it interesting that this is a BMW thing and not an Apple thing. Her car (VW GSW) has it, but no subscription is required.

I think it's junk, but she has an iPhone and I have an S8.

[vp]

This opinion sums it all up

https://9to5mac.com/2018/01/17/comme...-subscription/

Per BMW's article linked below, in the second sentence, "...without taking your eyes off the essential thing: the road". Profits over safety

https://www.bmw.com/content/dam/bmw/...3826507496.pdf

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

I love Apple CarPlay on my S5. It works great.

[uniqueMR]

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Since automakers license the technology, I would suppose that if this is not explicitly covered in the licensing contract, Apple won't have any leverage.

Now of course the legal system is complex and there may be any number of nuances to exploit and litigate over on Apple's part. But to what end? After all, automakers - BMW included as you may have seen in the recent story elsewhere in this forum - are moving toward a subscription model for their vehicles themselves. So why shouldn't they be able use the same model for individual services within the vehicle if they so choose? If Apple objects, BMW can simply switch to a subscription for all head-unit features in the car, or all telematics-related features, or all electronics features, etc. At that point they are moving closer to the whole-vehicle subscription model than the individual CarPlay subscription. And if Apple still objects to even that, the automaker can make it even more coarse grained. Cat and mouse.

I don't see this as a legal battle worth pursuing for Apple. It seems to me that Apple has determined and received what it believes is its fair piece of the pie as a result of the licensing fees they already charge the automaker. Just my take.

Subscription based seems to be the next generation of leasing. They spin it as no hassle and everything included. Volvo started this trend with the new XC-40. The consumers are the losers here, I think.

[///M_Monster]

...Not sure what this means for those of us that coughed up the $300

https://www.macrumors.com/2018/01/17...ription-plans/

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/b...ich-is-insane/

[cwhands]

From what I understand it is subscription based anyways - if you have it currently, open up your connected drive store on the iDrive menus and you should see an expiration date. That 300 dollar fee covers a fairly lengthy period if I recall properly.

[BD SM3RF]

Add this to the growing list of reasons why my almost 20 year relationship with BMW is coming to a close. Have had 8 BMWs. Up until 3 months ago all 3 cars in my garage were BMWs. Now I have 2 and it won't be long before I am down to only one... I just don't feel the Ultimate Driving Machine anymore :-(