BMW - Just when you think it couldn't get any worse!
Discussion
Just watched this about the new 1 series:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buvzMlBeZWw
So now basic functions that you would expect to come with the car will be available for purchase through the iDrive store
It's not cheap either.... and bear in mind, for most of these options the car already has the 'hardware' equipped, the software purchase is simply to unlock it - so it's a bit cheeky.
Also... will the purchased options be tied to some kind of BMW user account, meaning if you sell the car the purchased functions won't work for the new owner? Hmmm.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buvzMlBeZWw
So now basic functions that you would expect to come with the car will be available for purchase through the iDrive store
It's not cheap either.... and bear in mind, for most of these options the car already has the 'hardware' equipped, the software purchase is simply to unlock it - so it's a bit cheeky.
Also... will the purchased options be tied to some kind of BMW user account, meaning if you sell the car the purchased functions won't work for the new owner? Hmmm.
Edited by JaredVannett on Friday 9th August 12:46
JaredVannett said:
...So now basic functions that you would expect to come with the car...already has the 'hardware' equipped, the software purchase is simply to unlock it - so it's a bit cheeky.
Not really. The hardware might be present, but the software may not, it may have to download additional bits. They are hardly 'basic functions' and you're talking about the entry level of the range, the options are low headline price and everything optional or higher headline price with higher standard equipment.CzechItOut said:
I'm confused. What's wrong with offering the ability to buy optional extras after you've purchased the car - especially if they can be deployed as a software update over the air?
Because for something like the high beam assist where the physical hardware is there but not activated it's a bloody con.I don't really see the problem. You can still buy the features up-front if you want to; this system allows the manufacturer to produce all of the cars identically in terms of hardware (which is probably cheaper, even if it means providing extra capability which is unused in many cars) and then allows their customers to purchase extra features once they already have the car if they decide they want to. Seems to be a win-win situation?
The IT industry has worked like this for years. I think we make a loss on every basic server we sell; the money is all in the additional software licences to unlock extra features. All of the software is shipped on the box initially, it's just disabled.
It's no different than a company like Sky offering different packages with different channels over the same hardware; or internet service providers artificially limiting bandwidth or data capacity based on the tariff the user is on.
It also means you can buy a car with just the options you want and not fear losing out at resale time because other options are missing - the second-hand buyer can simply pay to have whatever they want enabled. Sounds like a fabulous idea to me!
The IT industry has worked like this for years. I think we make a loss on every basic server we sell; the money is all in the additional software licences to unlock extra features. All of the software is shipped on the box initially, it's just disabled.
It's no different than a company like Sky offering different packages with different channels over the same hardware; or internet service providers artificially limiting bandwidth or data capacity based on the tariff the user is on.
It also means you can buy a car with just the options you want and not fear losing out at resale time because other options are missing - the second-hand buyer can simply pay to have whatever they want enabled. Sounds like a fabulous idea to me!
Edited by kambites on Friday 9th August 12:28
CzechItOut said:
I'm confused. What's wrong with offering the ability to buy optional extras after you've purchased the car - especially if they can be deployed as a software update over the air?
I guess because they have already been fitted to your car and someone is stopping you from using them.I hope someone comes along with hack for this. Not that I'll ever own one.
Torquey said:
CzechItOut said:
I'm confused. What's wrong with offering the ability to buy optional extras after you've purchased the car - especially if they can be deployed as a software update over the air?
I guess because they have already been fitted to your car and someone is stopping you from using them.I hope someone comes along with hack for this. Not that I'll ever own one.
Thats like saying you have a really serious graphics card, but people arent giving you free games to play on it...
If its software based and you didnt buy it up front, despite having the hardware for it to work, why would you expect it for free?
Seems like a good deal if it allows cheaper standardisation if its a one off unlock cost.
Now if a piece of hardware being unlocked was subscription based that would be different.....
Edited by p1stonhead on Friday 9th August 12:27
p1stonhead said:
Torquey said:
CzechItOut said:
I'm confused. What's wrong with offering the ability to buy optional extras after you've purchased the car - especially if they can be deployed as a software update over the air?
I guess because they have already been fitted to your car and someone is stopping you from using them.I hope someone comes along with hack for this. Not that I'll ever own one.
Thats like saying you have a really serious graphics card, but people arent giving you free games to play on it...
If its software based and you didnt buy it up front, despite having the hardware for it to work, why would you expect it for free?
I would imagine it won't be long before someone hacks it.
p1stonhead said:
Torquey said:
CzechItOut said:
I'm confused. What's wrong with offering the ability to buy optional extras after you've purchased the car - especially if they can be deployed as a software update over the air?
I guess because they have already been fitted to your car and someone is stopping you from using them.I hope someone comes along with hack for this. Not that I'll ever own one.
Thats like saying you have a really serious graphics card, but people arent giving you free games to play on it...
If its software based and you didnt buy it up front, despite having the hardware for it to work, why would you expect it for free?
Krikkit said:
p1stonhead said:
Torquey said:
CzechItOut said:
I'm confused. What's wrong with offering the ability to buy optional extras after you've purchased the car - especially if they can be deployed as a software update over the air?
I guess because they have already been fitted to your car and someone is stopping you from using them.I hope someone comes along with hack for this. Not that I'll ever own one.
Thats like saying you have a really serious graphics card, but people arent giving you free games to play on it...
If its software based and you didnt buy it up front, despite having the hardware for it to work, why would you expect it for free?
I would imagine it won't be long before someone hacks it.
Its not going to be a surpise to anyone. You knowingly purchased the car/graphics card without those bits included, knowing they were a chargable software update...
Ties in nicely with the leasing business model.
If you lease a car currently you pay a higher price for options.
Car makers want us leasing,it gives them control over sales servicing resale and ultimately the disposal of the vehicle.
How long will it be before you get the old ipad syndrome with a car. It works but there is no longer any software support for it.
Your car no longer works. Please delete.
If you lease a car currently you pay a higher price for options.
Car makers want us leasing,it gives them control over sales servicing resale and ultimately the disposal of the vehicle.
How long will it be before you get the old ipad syndrome with a car. It works but there is no longer any software support for it.
Your car no longer works. Please delete.
bristolracer said:
How long will it be before you get the old ipad syndrome with a car. It works but there is no longer any software support for it.
The first generation of iPads still work exactly the same as they did when Apple stopped supporting them (assuming the hardware hasn't failed). Dropping software support doesn't mean disabling the devices, it just means no longer providing updates. Given that until recently manufacturers didn't generally have the concept of providing "updates" for cars at all, I fail to see how this is a regression? No-one forces you to take the updates provided, no-one forces you to buy the additional software features. If you want you can simply ignore the whole concept, buy the car you want with the features you want, never update it, and never think about it again. There is no downside.
Things will be a bit different if they start offering only subscriptions for features that could previously be purchased, but so far that doesn't appear to be happening.
Edited by kambites on Friday 9th August 12:37
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