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What are my choices when Remote Connect expires after 1 year?

Discussion in 'Gen 5 Prius Main Forum' started by PaigeMiller, Dec 28, 2023.

  1. PaigeMiller

    PaigeMiller Junior Member

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    I see there are $15/month subscriptions, one is the navigation system, and one is the music package.

    Are these the only ones available? Is the choice to pay for things I don't want to continue using the phone App and Remote Connect? Or is there some other option that lets me continue using the phone App and Remote Connect?
     
  2. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    You can pay for it or not - It's up to you. IMHO, it was too buggy and unreliable back in 2022 - when mine stopped.

    Be thankful it isn't a BMW, where they'll remotely turn-off your seat heaters, if you don't pay a monthly ransom. Built-in function that can be remotely disabled - How'd you like that for customer service.....
     
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  3. douglasjre

    douglasjre Senior Member

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    No way am I buying a car that requires a subscription
     
  4. Blackat

    Blackat Active Member

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    I'm going to trade it in and start all over...
     
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  5. AndersOne

    AndersOne Active Member

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    (Potential-) customers did not like that at all so BMW abandoned it again. Pretty good customer orientation I would say - not sure if Toyota would do the same, they seem pretty stubborn or hesitant to change (if they care much about feedback at all?). Tesla just makes an OTA that takes away functionality you had and paid for - no subscription needed at all.
     
  6. Hammersmith

    Hammersmith Senior Member

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    I'm not trying to convince anyone to feel the same way I do, but I see a difference between the situations. The things Toyota charges a subscription for are things that require the use of the cellular communication system. For that system to work, it needs to access cell networks, which costs Toyota money(AT&T/Verizon/whoever doesn't give access away for free). OTOH, there's nothing about heated seats that costs BMW money once the car leaves the factory. I'd say the same is true of some of Tesla options. In the case of my Prius, I see the $15/month as the same thing as putting the car on my cell plan.
     
  7. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Some of the data continues to flow such as the Service info and your Driving scores.
     
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  8. AndersOne

    AndersOne Active Member

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    @Hammersmith
    My point is BMW is not doing that anymore because of customer feedback - while Toyota seems very reluctant to customer feedback (in general). Tesla just deactivated radar sensors people paid for and currently they are starting to remove features for USS parking sensors for people who still have them
     
  9. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    There's also a big scandal about wrecked/"scrapped" Tesla given a second life in Europe - Where the original owner's information is still locked in the car's computers; along with all the options and subscriptions.
     
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  10. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

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    chances are fair to snowy.

    who's sayin what the landscape will look like in a year. Not me that's for sure.
     
  11. Will B

    Will B Active Member

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    I'm definitely in a quandary too about what I will opt to renew vs let drop come the end of my "free" year. I'm generally opposed to subscriptions as well, so there has to be a lot of value add for me to consider it.
    - Easy on anything that is just entertainment. I have my playlist on my phone, so no subscription needed.
    - Easy on navigation, if I can still access Google Maps, no need for Toyota's
    - Easy for "Hey Toyota" features, don't use them anyway
    - Iffy on the remote connect features since the app is so buggy. The app has to get a lot better for me to feel it is worth it.
    - Biggest one is Traffic Jam Assist that does need the navigation feature. I do like TJA a lot.

    I can't keep the subscriptions straight either, seems like there are 2-3 and they interact somehow. Right now it doesn't matter, but it will soon enough and I'll have to sort it out and decide. In m case I have until August.

    will
     
  12. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    I think the only feature worth $8 a year would be the door ajar/unlocked and window open notices. But it’s not worth $8 a month.
     
  13. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Toyota wanted a subscription for key fob remote start (that's right, not the app, but the actual button on your fob)

    Toyota Made Its Key Fob Remote Start Into a Subscription Service

    And then a week later said, "oh we actually meant just the app"

    Toyota 'Reviewing' Key Fob Remote Start Subscription Plan After Massive Blowback
     
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  14. kenmce

    kenmce High Voltage Member

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    Driving scores??
     
  15. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Yes and you can allow Toyota to share them with your insurance company for normal rates if you don’t speed or corner hard.





     
    #15 rjparker, Jan 5, 2024
    Last edited: Jan 5, 2024
  16. Beach Dweller

    Beach Dweller Junior Member

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    Since virtually everybody already has cell phones with connectivity, would Toyota still need cell service to make their apps work? My cell plans include unlimited service.
     
  17. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Part of what Toyota does is track your car regardless if you have it or someone else does. Your access costs a subscription. The cell service for their purposes is on regardless.
     
  18. rpT

    rpT Member

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    wait does my prius 2023 limited have traffic jam assist?
     
  19. Will B

    Will B Active Member

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    @rpT: I tried figuring that out for my Prime before getting it by reading the marketing and manuals and never could figure it out. The cincher for me was to just go into the menus and see if there were settings for it once I actually had the car. I fear it is only on the higher end trims though.

    will
     
  20. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

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    @rjparker post above (thanks) lead me to
    Privacy and protection