BMW Plans to Turn CarPlay Into Subscription-Based Service Next Year

[adamjackson]

WTF.

Literally every other car-maker supporting CarPlay just builds it in. Yes, they do it on the higher MSRP models (for now) to offset the costs they had to put in to adding it to their infotainment system but eventually CarPlay will be in every car with a tough screen....as a part of the base price just like power windows.

BMW is milking their customers here probably because less people to spend $300 a year on Map Update DVDs so they're trying to make money somewhere.

 

[Brookzy]

I think people are misunderstanding.

This yearly fee is instead of, not in addition to, the $300 upgrade fee.

It will be cheaper for BMW’s most loyal and valuable customers.

And it will be an incentive for BMW to release software updates to keep its CarPlay compatibility working well over the years.

 

[merrickdrfc]

Another reason not to buy foreign garbage cars.

And the sheep who think eurotrash is great will eat this up.

hahaha you have got to be joking

 

[Jamnabot]

Lets get one thing straight, by the way - CarPlay runs ON the iPhone itself and shares it's screen with the car. The car's system doesn't do anything. You can prove this by taking a screenshot on your phone while CarPlay is running, and you'll find a copy of the car's screen in your Photos folder too.

So, WHAT exactly is the $300 charge (or subscription) for if it's not even to supply software updates?
I could understand them having a premium service as an app which runs on CarPlay, but not the system itself

 

[Supermacguy]

What a bunch of money-grubbing wankers! That's total B.S. I'm not a BMW kind of person but it's a crappy way to treat your customers.

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

This is great. I always do 3 year leases on my BMW's, I just paid $300 up front for carplay on my wife's X3.... under this new method I will only pay $160 for 2 years if you include the first year free. Alot fairer for leasers.... Buyers might get screwed over though.

I love your logic...how is paying ANYTHING for Carplay a good deal when it's a no extra cost option for all other car brands? It's not like that the price of a BMW is much cheaper now that they're charging for Carplay! It's just more money for them and less money for you. Enjoy your BMW's...

 

[Brookzy]

Lets get one thing straight, by the way - CarPlay runs ON the iPhone itself and shares it's screen with the car. The car's system doesn't do anything. You can prove this by taking a screenshot on your phone while CarPlay is running, and you'll find a copy of the car's screen in your Photos folder too.

So, WHAT exactly is the $300 charge (or subscription) for if it's not even to supply software updates?
I could understand them having a premium service as an app which runs on CarPlay, but not the system itself

By that logic, why doesn’t every single car with a screen have CarPlay? Why is it that on most new cars you can’t have CarPlay, even for $300?

Of course the car’s system is doing something.

 

[Mydel]

I think people are misunderstanding.

This yearly fee is instead of, not in addition to, the $300 upgrade fee.

It will be cheaper for BMW’s most loyal and valuable customers.

And it will be an incentive for BMW to release software updates to keep its CarPlay compatibility working well over the years.

Are you kidding? Im actually done with German cars. I had all of them with fair share of issues. But thats a joke. Never will pay subscription for CarPlay...Ever. i am in the market for new car so I guess Jeep for me. I wish I could get F150 Raptor in Europe ;(

 

[DTphonehome]

I won't pay for a CarPlay subscription same way as I don't pay for a Satellite radio subscription.

Well the big difference of course is that with satellite radio you actually are paying for a service that has value (to some). CarPlay is just an iOS feature that has a marginal cost to the auto manufacturer to support (since most of them have robust infotainment systems that can easily handle the burden of running CarPlay). It’s really nickel-and-diming and BMW should be ashamed of themselves for charging for it at all as a luxury manufacturer. My new Audi has it standard.

 

[ifarlow]

This is great. I always do 3 year leases on my BMW's, I just paid $300 up front for carplay on my wife's X3.... under this new method I will only pay $160 for 2 years if you include the first year free. Alot fairer for leasers.... Buyers might get screwed over though.

This is great? Really? You have lost your marbles if you think paying for CarPlay or Android Auto is great, regardless of it being a one-time fee or a "cheaper" subscription. It's not just buyers getting screwed over here. You are as well.

 

[Plutonius]

I'm surprised that nobody has blamed the elimination of net neutrality for this .

Is this any different then the many software companies that have gone subscription based ?

 

[Mirice99]

I am sure Apple is looking at how to get a 30% cut of that subscription fee.

 

[convergent]

By that logic, why doesn’t every single car with a screen have CarPlay? Why is it that on most new cars you can’t have CarPlay, even for $300?

Because it means an end to the car makers overpriced crappy entertainment / navigation systems they had before CarPlay and Android Auto came along and created some order in the madness. Maybe its recouping lost recurring fees for navigation system updates. Whatever the case, it is burning those that aren't supporting it. We just bought a 2018 Honda CRV EX-L and considered Mazda and Toyota but quickly took them off the list because they supported neither CarPlay or Android Auto. I will only buy a car that supports both, because we keep our cars for at least 5 years when we buy new.

I can't see much reason for them to charge a recurring fee for this, because I imagine its way less support cost for them to put this in and let the phone makers deal with upgrades, support, etc..

I have no interest in a BMW anyways, but hopefully this stupid idea they have won't catch on.

 

[ifarlow]

Is this any different then the many software companies that have gone subscription based ?

It's very different. The manufacturer of the radio in BWM vehicles (which isn't BMW) had to enable CarPlay and Android Auto capability, but once enabled it's up to an iPhone or Android device to provide the functionality. What BMW is doing is more like Best Buy charging a subscription for the software that they sell.

EDIT: I think what cmaier posted below is a better example than what I gave:

What BMW is suggesting is no different than a television manufacturer charging you an annual subscription if you want to plug a Roku into the HDMI port.

 

[cmaier]

I think people are misunderstanding.

This yearly fee is instead of, not in addition to, the $300 upgrade fee.

It will be cheaper for BMW’s most loyal and valuable customers.

And it will be an incentive for BMW to release software updates to keep its CarPlay compatibility working well over the years.

For those of us who buy, and don’t lease, it’s not cheaper unless we buy a new car constantly.

And your argument would also suggest we should pay an annual fee for everything. When I buy the car I pay for the fm radio. Let’s make that a yearly fee instead so that they are incentivized to keep fm working. We can price the annual fee at around a third what just buying the radio would cost. Win win, right?

Not to mention, your argument makes no sense. In order for it to be an incentive to BMW, the plan would have to bring more money to BMW than it otherwise would. BMW isn’t going to be incentivized by making LESS money. But you are also claiming that this saves the customers money. So BMW earns less money now from CarPlay and that incentivizes them to keep CarPlay working?

 

[tkukoc]

I'm surprised that nobody has blamed the elimination of net neutrality for this .

Is this any different then the many software companies that have gone subscription based ?

Originally that crossed my mind, its in a similar ballpark yet still a bit different. They are charging for essentially an application to be run in your car. But you already have the application built into another product. So the scam here is they block the use by having a program look for when carplay loads up.. then boom PAY ME NOW OR DON'T USE THIS.. that's complete and utter garbage. Why anyone would pay for carplay is beyond me. It's simply part of a system that is already in place. BMW announces carplay ready devices which are certified.. OH.. but you can't use this even when you buy our expensive cars unless you pay the fee to do so and not once but regularly. Come on now, that's craziness! Another company that cares very little about their customers is how I see this one. You can't tell me fleecing customers for additional revenue on an already expensive product is going to help your bottom line. If anything it will turn away potential customers as well as long standing ones.

 

[cmaier]

Well the big difference of course is that with satellite radio you actually are paying for a service that has value (to some). CarPlay is just an iOS feature that has a marginal cost to the auto manufacturer to support (since most of them have robust infotainment systems that can easily handle the burden of running CarPlay). It’s really nickel-and-diming and BMW should be ashamed of themselves for charging for it at all as a luxury manufacturer. My new Audi has it standard.

And satellite service costs the supplier money when they give it to you. They have to keep the satellites in the sky, power the uplinks, pay for content and talent, etc. They have annual costs which they cover by charging you a subscription. BMW has no annual cost associated with supplying you with a screen.

What BMW is suggesting is no different than a television manufacturer charging you an annual subscription if you want to plug a Roku into the HDMI port.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Wow. Here we find overwhelming fault with a company looking to charge a subscription fee instead of a larger one-time out-of-pocket fee, effectively making CarPlay more accessible.

Meanwhile in any thread about Apple Music, we not only thoroughly rationalize Apple charging the subscription but we'll pound away to no end against others like Spotify offering a free subscription.

I wonder if this was a story about Apple switching CarPlay from being sold at a one-time rate to this same subscription approach, would we be as passionately against the idea? In other words, if this was Apple doing this instead of BMW, do we respond in the same way... or would it be perfectly fine if it was Apple driving this decision? (rhetorical)

And I'm guessing this is more likely to be an OPTION instead of the only way to get CarPlay. In other words, for those that want CarPlay but not a CarPlay subscription, I bet BMW will sell them CarPlay at the one-time rate rather than watch them walk out the door and lose the sale of the car. Furthermore, I bet BMW would GIVE them CarPlay rather than letting them walk out the door and lose the sale of the car too.

EDIT: 5 quick responses seemed to miss my point entirely. It is not about the product of CarPlay vs. Apple Music. It is about how we can overwhelmingly argue against 2 subscription offerings- this one and Spotify's FREE subscription- while arguing so passionately FOR Apple Music subscription. Who cares? It's just consumer options. Buy it outright or buy it on subscription like- you know- some people buy cell phones. Pay for it in BMW or buy some other brand of car where CarPlay is built into the car's price. Etc.

 

[Json81]

My 2017 VW has both carplay and android auto without subscription

 

[ifarlow]

Wow. Here we find overwhelming fault with a company looking to charge a subscription fee instead of a larger one-time out-of-pocket fee, effectively making CarPlay more accessible.

Access to CarPlay and Android Auto should be free in BMWs like it is in other vehicles. Comparing what BMW is doing to Apple's music subscription is absurd considering that they aren't anywhere close to the same thing.

 

[cmaier]

Wow. Here we find overwhelming fault with a company looking to charge a subscription fee instead of a larger one-time out-of-pocket fee, effectively making CarPlay more accessible.

Meanwhile in any thread about Apple Music, we not only thoroughly rationalize Apple charging the subscription but we'll pound away to no end against others like Spotify offering a free subscription.

I wonder if this was a story about Apple switching CarPlay from being sold at a one-time rate to this same subscription approach, would we be as passionately against the idea? In other words, if this was Apple doing this instead of BMW, do we respond in the same way... or would it be perfectly fine if it was Apple driving this decision? (rhetorical)

And I'm guessing this is more likely to be an OPTION instead of the only way to get CarPlay. In other words, for those that want CarPlay but not a CarPlay subscription, I bet BMW will sell them CarPlay at the one-time rate rather than watch them walk out the door and lose the sale of the car. Furthermore, I bet BMW would GIVE them CarPlay rather than letting them walk out the door and lose the sale of the car too.

Ever bought a bmw? No way they will give it for free to get the sale. And since there is nothing in the story about an option to buy outright, we can only comment on what the story actually says. It’s also not cheaper unless you are in s short term lease.

And, finally, the difference between an Apple music subscription and a CarPlay subscription is obvious. Apple Music costs Apple money to provide - when you listen to a song they have to pay a license fee, and they have to pay for servers and infrastructure to keep the service running. BMW could vanish off the face of the earth tomorrow and the CarPlay functionality in their cars would be unaffected. It’s a one time cost for them.

 

[SRLMJ23]

This is really ridiculous. If Apple does not put a stop to this, next up will be Acura, Audi, all GM cars, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Honda, Hyundai. I am sure the domestic cars would not charge as much as European cars but still, it makes zero damn sense that you have to pay a subscription to access CarPlay when you paid to have the CarPlay Unit put in.

You know an option around this, do not buy the option on the BMW and then buy one of these:

https://www.alpine-usa.com/product/view/ine-w977hd

That one is super expensive because it is the newest one I believe, and has tons more features than just CarPlay (also has Android Auto for weirdo's, I kid, I kid.) You can control your Garage Doors, Home Smart Lighting & Security Systems, and you can control your smart thermostat, I think that is pretty wild! You can display your cars cameras right on the head unit. Plays FLAC, has bluetooth as well as USB for your iPod/iPhone for better sound. I have a Alpine head unit, and while bluetooth sounds pretty good, hooking up to USB just makes it sound that much better...and FLAC sounds AMAZING. Especially in my car with all aftermarket speakers, and a JL 15" W7 subwoofer. Amazing how FLAC makes the subwoofer pound so much harder. Anyway, these Alpine units are great and definitely for BMW drivers get the basic setup and then buy one of these CarPlay capable head units and you will have CarPlay and NOT have to pay yearly for it. Screw BMW for making this decision, sets a bad precedent!

 

[Brookzy]

For those of us who buy, and don’t lease, it’s not cheaper unless we buy a new car constantly.

And your argument would also suggest we should pay an annual fee for everything. When I buy the car I pay for the fm radio. Let’s make that a yearly fee instead so that they are incentivized to keep fm working. We can price the annual fee at around a third what just buying the radio would cost. Win win, right?

Not to mention, your argument makes no sense. In order for it to be an incentive to BMW, the plan would have to bring more money to BMW than it otherwise would. BMW isn’t going to be incentivized by making LESS money. But you are also claiming that this saves the customers money. So BMW earns less money now from CarPlay and that incentivizes them to keep CarPlay working?

I understand your point, especially about buying a new car frequently. But the thing is that a person who buys a car and keeps it for ten years is not the person who is making BMW money and paying their R&D costs. It’s the people who lease and the frequent upgraders, so I can fully appreciate that BMW wants to look after those people first.

The FM radio point is funny but there is a big difference between the pace of innovation of standard in-car features vs. CarPlay.

As to the profit point... you’re assuming that the take-up is constant. I doubt that would be the case. It is obviously possible for a company to charge less for something and make more money overall (or, lose less money than they would otherwise have done, depending on how the market is doing) - indeed that’s why most price cuts happen.

Overall, as Steve Jobs said to Walt Mossberg about (I think) the iPhone 4, if customers like it, they’ll buy it. And if they don’t, they won’t. And it will all work itself out in the end.

 

[cmaier]

I understand your point, especially about buying a new car frequently. But the thing is that a person who buys a car and keeps it for ten years is not the person who is making BMW money and paying their R&D costs. It’s the people who lease and the frequent upgraders, so I can fully appreciate that BMW wants to look after those people first.

The FM radio point is funny but there is a big difference between the pace of innovation of standard in-car features vs. CarPlay.

As to the profit point... you’re assuming that the take-up is constant. I doubt that would be the case. It is obviously possible for a company to charge less for something and make more money overall (or, lose less money than they would otherwise have done, depending on how the market is doing) - indeed that’s why most price cuts happen.

Overall, as Steve Jobs said to Walt Mossberg about (I think) the iPhone 4, if customers like it, they’ll buy it. And if they don’t, they won’t. And it will all work itself out in the end.

So then let’s be honest about it. BMW is doing it to make more money, not out of some altruistic motive to save customers money (lets be real, adding CarPlay doesn’t cost them 300 per unit anyway).

So as consumers, it’s not our job to make purchase decisions based on whether bmw is acting in its own self interest. What they are doing may be good for bmw but it’s bad for most customers. They are pretending CarPlay is a service and charging accordingly. As a bmw customer (I own an x5), if they do this i will be spending my money elsewhere when it’s time for my next car.

 

[Macman8472]

Lets get one thing straight, by the way - CarPlay runs ON the iPhone itself and shares it's screen with the car. The car's system doesn't do anything. You can prove this by taking a screenshot on your phone while CarPlay is running, and you'll find a copy of the car's screen in your Photos folder too.

So, WHAT exactly is the $300 charge (or subscription) for if it's not even to supply software updates?
I could understand them having a premium service as an app which runs on CarPlay, but not the system itself

As a BMW owner, BMW can shove a big bratwurst up their backsides. I wouldn't pay $3, let alone $300. BMW must be desperate for money for even thinking this stupid idea. A big own goal, disastrous PR. Shame on you BMW. Sheer Driving Pleasure my a**e.