And see, if there was such a thing as an aftermarket device that allowed me to use my phone as the car key, I’d install one in a heartbeat. Seems like the perfect solution to me. I carry my phone with me at all times anyway, why do I need a separate key? As long as it just uses the NFC chip to unlock the doors, it should allow my phone to emulate the fob and no app should be necessary unless you just want to do something fancy like remote start the car or pop the trunk from across the parking lot. Just give me something simple that allows me to change out my useless fob for my phone and I’d gladly pay upwards of $1000 for that convenience.
Would this system rely on your phone being on? Because, if a flat phone battery will leave you stranded, or if you break it, that’s just asking for trouble.
Yes, I can accept that an app can offer additional utility that a keyfob can’t. That’s fine as long as it isn’t needed for basic functionality.
My bicycle has an app, too. But I don’t need it to ride.
On a Tesla, you can use the wallet card, phone app, or a key fob. The wallet card comes with the car, but if you want a key fob you have to buy it separately. The app is free and does not require a subscription.
It’s not like having a keyless fob. The keyless fob isn’t connected to the internet and gps, doesn’t require creating an account, doesn’t require Google services, doesn’t need software updates, doesn’t send notifications, doesn’t need to be charged daily, doesn’t break when it falls out of my hand, etc.
Oh, and it doesn’t show me ads.
I’m a strong opponent of the current forced-digital trend. Networked software has many, many disadvantages compared to dedicated hard-coded and unconnected devices like key fobs.
Not everything should be an app.
I have a keyless fob. It’s great. It’s also got an actual key in it in case the battery dies. Which it has before while I was out. It’s also a 2013 so this isn’t new tech.
Using a phone app as the main or sole method of unlocking (I saw the card bit, that’s good) is insane. If your phone dies, if you lock yourself out of your phone, drop it in a puddle, if you get locked out of the app, if the app messed up, etc. All ways to keep you out of your car. Which in many cases is a safety and health risk.
Right. I can just imagine being somewhere at 2 am trying to find a way to charge my phone so I can open my car, while also i can’t even call an Uber or something because my phone is dead.
That’s a good point. I could envision myself being complacent or forgetting to bring or losing the card, but I suppose most people would just stick it in their wallets.
Not trying to criticize you, but for me that would be enough reason to choose another car.
And see, if there was such a thing as an aftermarket device that allowed me to use my phone as the car key, I’d install one in a heartbeat. Seems like the perfect solution to me. I carry my phone with me at all times anyway, why do I need a separate key? As long as it just uses the NFC chip to unlock the doors, it should allow my phone to emulate the fob and no app should be necessary unless you just want to do something fancy like remote start the car or pop the trunk from across the parking lot. Just give me something simple that allows me to change out my useless fob for my phone and I’d gladly pay upwards of $1000 for that convenience.
Would this system rely on your phone being on? Because, if a flat phone battery will leave you stranded, or if you break it, that’s just asking for trouble.
Phone as a key is nice, but absolutely not necessary on the cars that do have it since they give you proper key fobs instead of cheap hotel keycards.
Yes, I can accept that an app can offer additional utility that a keyfob can’t. That’s fine as long as it isn’t needed for basic functionality.
My bicycle has an app, too. But I don’t need it to ride.
On a Tesla, you can use the wallet card, phone app, or a key fob. The wallet card comes with the car, but if you want a key fob you have to buy it separately. The app is free and does not require a subscription.
GM’s OnStar + app on the other hand…yikes.
No Tesla owners want key fobs for entry. Everyone loves the app.
Not having to carry a key around is a huge bonus.
Why?
My car key doesn’t weigh 25kg and fits neatly into my pocket, is the Tesla key different.
Sorry, I am unfair, but your comment made it seem like carrying the key to you car is a huge chore.
I can absolutely see a slight convenience factor of having a copy of my car key on my phone, but it isn’t a huge deal for me.
Really? It’s just one less thing I have to keep track of.
Yeah no, you just made that up.
Do you not carry a house key anyway? Since when is having a key ring a big inconvenience?
More cars are using going to adopt it. It’s just like having a fob which is “keyless”. The fob is your phone which has the app.
It’s not like having a keyless fob. The keyless fob isn’t connected to the internet and gps, doesn’t require creating an account, doesn’t require Google services, doesn’t need software updates, doesn’t send notifications, doesn’t need to be charged daily, doesn’t break when it falls out of my hand, etc.
Oh, and it doesn’t show me ads.
I’m a strong opponent of the current forced-digital trend. Networked software has many, many disadvantages compared to dedicated hard-coded and unconnected devices like key fobs.
Not everything should be an app.
I have a keyless fob. It’s great. It’s also got an actual key in it in case the battery dies. Which it has before while I was out. It’s also a 2013 so this isn’t new tech.
Using a phone app as the main or sole method of unlocking (I saw the card bit, that’s good) is insane. If your phone dies, if you lock yourself out of your phone, drop it in a puddle, if you get locked out of the app, if the app messed up, etc. All ways to keep you out of your car. Which in many cases is a safety and health risk.
If the battery dies you can access it without a key.
Right. I can just imagine being somewhere at 2 am trying to find a way to charge my phone so I can open my car, while also i can’t even call an Uber or something because my phone is dead.
like those poor souls burned alive cause the doors on that shit heap wouldn’t open
Don’t know anything about that but the doors have mechanical latches
That’s what the card is for.
That’s a good point. I could envision myself being complacent or forgetting to bring or losing the card, but I suppose most people would just stick it in their wallets.
Yep!