BMW North America Is Charging Subscription Fees For Apple CarPlay
BMW in the US is for some bizarre reason charging customers an annual subscription to Apple CarPlay, despite it being standard and free in all sorts of cheap Hyundais, Skodas and the latest Volkswagen Jetta.
CarPlay, an Apple proprietary programme, joins Android Auto as free software on dozens of different 2018 model-year cars across the world. It’s pretty normal to expect it these days… but no one seems to have told BMW USA, which has announced that it’s to cost $80 per year from next year.
Since 2017 it has been charging new BMW buyers a $300 one-off fee for the service, but it aims to make it both cheaper for two-to-three-year leases and more profitable over the life of the car, as used BMW buyers will have to pay the fee as well if they want to use CarPlay.
Talking to The Verge, BMW North America’s technology product manager Don Smith said:
“This allows the customer to switch devices,” [Smith] said. “A lot of people buy [CarPlay] and think it’s okay, but sometimes they stop using it or switch to Android.”
The Verge went on to say:
“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 $80 per year to keep the service. Over the course of a three or four-year lease, it would still work out to less money than the option is now, he said.”
That doesn’t really alter the fact that it should be free on a car of any BMW’s price, in a market where even superminis throw it in with no separate charge.
BMW doesn’t support Android Auto, which could indicate a commercial tie-in with Apple that may trace back to this new charge. We’ll keep our eyes peeled and update this piece if we get further news.
Source: Jalopnik
Comments
They are setting up to make big money later. In a few years they’ll say “enjoy apple CarPlay free! After this short ad” and instead of you paying 80$ a year they’re gonna rake in money from advertisers.
BMW drivers will be extra aggressive with their no-indicator-lane-change, since they’re extra unhappy about the $80 per year deal.
After seeing all of these hateful comments towards Apple devices I have to say something.
I was an Android guy for YEARS, first iPhone I got was my dads 4S he was using since 2011. Later I got an iPhone SE. So, first, I know they are more expensive than Android devices.
First, they keep their style. It is almost a symbol right now. Second, they are long-lasting. All of my Android devices I had before (4 of them) became unusable after two years or less, why? Because they got so much lag as they got older. All my friends who have Androids tell me, that the phone was fine before and the older it got- the laggier it became. The 4S worked like new after 6 years of using and abusing.
Quality, while this isn’t really an Android thing or something, you really can’t compare an iPhone to a Samsung. While the LG that I had (also Android) was top quality, the Samsungs now feel like crap after you hold a proper iPhone.
Why do I say ‘’proper iPhone’’? Well, I am talking about the older ones. I chose the iPhone SE simply because it has the stylish looks of the iPhone 5 and it is the only phone on the market that has relatively good guts and camera, that isn’t hilariously big. I hate those phones that are slowly becoming tablet size now, I can’t even fit them in my pocket right. I am also talking about the iPhone 6, iPhone 7 and iPhone X. They are so god damn big and they have lost the last bit of style that was left over from the stylish iPhone 4 and 5.
That is my opinion, I like my SE and it has been a joy to use it.
You’re right. I have my 5 for the fifth year, works like a charm. I won’t buy a new model because of the AUX-situation (and the price xD). I use a cable and a duct tape phone holder in my car, which also works
It was never about Apple or Android or whatever, I could give a rat 4ss of what brick phone you use.
The problem I absolutely hate is iTunes, the worst software ever in existence. I have to go through many loops and hoops of iCloud just to retrieve/transfer my personal raw files.
With Android, just plug it in like a USB and get whatever I need. Literally a 5 min job that Apple glorified it into a lengthy process.
In the end, a phone is a phone. Should not be this troublesome to use.
You must have missed the news where Apple was revealed to slow down their older devices every time a new iPhone comes out
Ads, annual fees….
What’s next??
“Deactivate Traction Control for 24h for just $29,99!”
You are giving them ideas….
I don’t even have an iPhone and after spending a lot of time with iDrive I thought it was fine without CarPlay or Android Auto.
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Glad I didn’t get it!
99.99$ for extra 30hp. 25.99$ for extra 5MPG. Daily fee to unlock your car in the morning - just 0.99$. Want AC to blow you? That would be 4.99$/hour.
JDM Shark 🇧🇷 douchebag bmw
I miss the good ole days of cars having simple luxuries (no touch screens and a million buttons), now all cars are literally computers on wheels.