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Automatic today announced the launch of its next-generation connected car adapter, the Automatic Pro. The Automatic Pro, built on the second-generation Automatic Adapter, is the company's new flagship adapter, equipped with 3G cellular connectivity.

With an always-on 3G connection that carries no subscription fees, the Automatic Adapter is no longer reliant on an iPhone for functionality. Data is collected continuously, even when someone else is driving or when a smartphone isn't in the car.

automaticpropackaging-800x465.jpg

Like the existing Automatic Adapter, the new version plugs into a car's OBD-II port to provide information like distance traveled, gas used, time spent in the car, and more. In addition to offering notifications to advise drivers on how to optimize speeds, save gas, and monitor engine alerts, the Automatic Pro can also do things like let users know when the time limit on a parking spot is up or connect with emergency services in the event of an accident with real-time vehicle location tracking.
"We're excited to be using the power of cellular connectivity to build upon the offerings of the second generation adapter and combine a beautiful, scalable UI with an extensive range of features that will help consumers the most," said Ljuba Miljkovic, Co-Founder of Automatic.
Along with the Automatic Pro, Automatic is launching a new Automatic app featuring customizable notifications, built-in IFTTT integration, the aforementioned emergency crash alert feature, and more advanced engine light diagnostics.

automaticproapp-800x802.jpg

The Automatic Pro adapter is available beginning today for $129.95. It can be purchased from Automatic.com, Best Buy, or Amazon and it includes no ongoing service fees.

Article Link: Automatic Launches New 'Automatic Pro' Car Adapter With Always-On Subscription-Free 3G Connectivity
 

S.B.G

Moderator
Staff member
Sep 8, 2010
26,635
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Detroit
Sounds like a cool device and app for those who spend a lot of time in the car and on the road. Maximizing driving efficiency and other interesting data points always interest me, but with my 2 mile commute to work and such, I don't think I'd get a lot of valuable information from it. If I drove a lot more I'd certainly consider something like this.
 

x-evil-x

macrumors 603
Jul 13, 2008
5,597
3,281
No more need to jailbreak my phone to use my iPad for my cars deck. Sounds pretty nice no fees. Would the car need to be on to use it? More than likely I'm assuming.
 

DaveTheRave

macrumors 6502a
May 22, 2003
796
391
Anyone know how long wireless carriers needs to support 3G connectivity for these non-contract devices? My old Kindle keyboard version also has free 3G. I wonder if it will work in 10 years, 20 years, etc.
 
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chabig

macrumors G4
Sep 6, 2002
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No more need to jailbreak my phone to use my iPad for my cars deck. Sounds pretty nice no fees. Would the car need to be on to use it? More than likely I'm assuming.
The device has no useful purpose when the car isn't running.
 
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eagle33199

macrumors member
Mar 13, 2007
92
274
Being in a restaurant or at the gym and having 3G available for my iPad is why I'm asking. Depending on how far away my car is.

This device doesn't provide a 3G/WIFI link. read the article. it simply uses 3G for its own data uploads, instead of connecting to your phone via bluetooth to upload data.

I have one of the second gen ones this is designed on, and it's great. The IFTTT integration lets me automatically port everything over into a google spreadsheet for long-term mileage tracking, and once in google it's easy to play with and extract info, like the total distance I commute each year for volunteer activities (which then goes in as a deduction on taxes!). It also will give you good distance tracking if you get reimbursed for travel from work.

Plus, in my old car, being able to get the engine codes when the check engine light came on probably saved me a few hundred dollars, knowing that I could safely ignore the light when I had an exhaust sensor go bad.
 

H3LL5P4WN

macrumors 68040
Jun 19, 2010
3,457
4,018
Pittsburgh PA
My Wrangler has most of these features built in, and it's just the Sport (base) model. I can get a code scanner for like $75 on Amazon.

Now, if it let me reprogram parameters like shift points etc, then I'd be interested.
 
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Amazing Iceman

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Nov 8, 2008
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neoian

macrumors newbie
Sep 16, 2014
16
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This is also missing the fuel level reporting that the other two have. How is it supposed to track my MPG automatically? What exactly is the purpose of the device without it?
 

utsava

macrumors 6502
Jun 24, 2004
369
321
The big question I have is, how are they giving the 3G connection away for free? Are they selling/aggrigating your data?
 

xero9

macrumors 6502a
Nov 7, 2006
864
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Being in a restaurant or at the gym and having 3G available for my iPad is why I'm asking. Depending on how far away my car is.

Am I misunderstanding you, or do you think this is somehow a device you can tether to for internet access on your iPad?!
 

OldSchoolMacGuy

Suspended
Jul 10, 2008
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The big question I have is, how are they giving the 3G connection away for free? Are they selling/aggrigating your data?

The amount of data the device uses is very small. They just pick up the bill. Progressive does the same with their Snapshot device which monitors your driving habits. You're talking about a couple megabytes of data each month.

This device is not some sort of 3G hotspot as others here seem to think. It simply uses 3G to transmit the tiny bit of information it pulls from your car computer. You can't connect your iPad or iPhone to it and use it to surf the internet.
[doublepost=1471446000][/doublepost]
Am I misunderstanding you, or do you think this is somehow a device you can tether to for internet access on your iPad?!

Yes, it seems he incorrectly believes this is some sort of wifi hotspot. It's not. He's mistaken.
 

nagromme

macrumors G5
May 2, 2002
12,546
1,196
I really wanted to like my version 2 Automatic, but on my car it didn't track gas mileage, only recorded about 50% of journeys taken, and only triggered an action on arrival (text me to remember to check my moonroof) about 50% of the time. It just worked poorly.

YMMV though, and the return policy worked out fine! I was sorry it didn't work out.

(PS: Wow--so many words written here because of people who see a headline and don't even skim the article before devoting time to their response! I shudder to think how people consume news stories that matter...)
 

usarioclave

macrumors 65816
Sep 26, 2003
1,447
1,506
I love the way it says "All features supported" then says "Fuel Level feature not supported on Automatic Pro."

There must be some sort of patent on automatic gas level tracking via wireless data.
 

Christian 5G

macrumors 65816
Jun 16, 2010
1,080
743
Orange County, CA
I still have a first generation one it works well but the app itself has some issues and they take long to fix.

I commute a lot and this becomes handy especially notifying me when I brake hard.

Might upgrade to the new one when it's on sale.
 
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nutmac

macrumors 603
Mar 30, 2004
6,170
7,740
I love the way it says "All features supported" then says "Fuel Level feature not supported on Automatic Pro."

There must be some sort of patent on automatic gas level tracking via wireless data.
Some cars don't transmit fuel level information over OBD-II, such as Prius.
 

chabig

macrumors G4
Sep 6, 2002
11,434
9,299
The only drawback I see for this new adapter is that it may not have a built-in GPS like Automatic 2nd Gen does (According to the Automatic Pro app description).
I have one of these. It has GPS. That's how it's able to track your vehicle location even when you or your phone are not nearby and report it over the 3G connection.
 
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