Risay117 OP t1_itzzkz6 wrote on October 27, 2022 at 3:25 PM

Reply to comment by Shopped_For_Pleasure in Down on chips, Toyota goes back to basics with car keys by Risay117

The heater is already in your car, why would you pay subscription for a device your car already has and uses your fuel, that does not require any update to any software etc. Now if you are renting out the hardware maybe.

Shopped_For_Pleasure t1_itzzsc6 wrote on October 27, 2022 at 3:26 PM

Because the company needs to be profitable and standardized productions are cheaper than one-offs.

I agree with your sentiment but similarly the companies exist to make a profit.

Worst case scenario bimmertech will jailbreak you one.

Risay117 OP t1_iu00efh wrote on October 27, 2022 at 3:30 PM

Standardized production? the heater in the seat is standardized. There is no more standardizing needing to be done. The heater already exists the switches already installed. All you are doing is adding a switch for the company to say no you can't use the heater. You are not updating heater software after it is sold.

Also this profit argument is not even correct. It is like you install a door with a key lock and you have to pay subscription to use the door. It is not seeing any updates etc. This is just double dipping on a product that has already been delivered.

FeckThul t1_iu09qro wrote on October 27, 2022 at 4:31 PM

Their profit motive is their problem, why are you so energetically simping for it on their behalf?

Shopped_For_Pleasure t1_iu0d3o6 wrote on October 27, 2022 at 4:52 PM

I’m not. I’m saying that it opens a new revenue stream that used to be in limbo of wanting but not needing the feature. It opens up the package to more consumers and is just a smart business decision.

Again, if you’d prefer not to subscribe you’re still more than welcome to purchase the feature outright — it just doesn’t make sense to 60% of BMW owners who own their cars for 5 years or less.