The article doesn't specifically mention MINI doing this, but since MINI is under BMW now, what is the chance that MINI will adopt a subscription model for things like Apple CarPlay, or similar?

(BMW will be adopting a per year subscription model for Apple CarPlay functionality in their cars starting 2019)

I buy my cars rather than lease, so paying a subscription on top of the charge for having the necessary head unit is not palatable. I sure hope MINI doesn't adopt this pricing option model, or the flak that BMW gets from the press and public alike for what I deem as price-gouging is enough for them to halt their plans.

https://www.engadget.com/2018/01/20/...ption-service/

 

Saw that. Given that to get CarPlay at all on a Mini you have to pony up $1500 extra for the larger screen, I think an additional yearly fee would go over like a lead balloon.

Eff that noise.

 

I agree, all this movement to cut down on distracted driving then Apple and other companies start to integrate everything to take eyes off the road.

I just don't get it sometimes.

 

At least MINI doesn't charge extra for CarPlay right now. Sure, you need to have nav, but BMW requires Nav AND you have to pay $300 to get CarPlay...

Don't understand why they feel they need to charge a yearly fee for something that isn't even a service like ConnectedServices or satellite radio - it's hardware that already exists and BMW is charging to have access to it. I could *almost* understand charging a one-time fee to unlock the feature, but not to pay to continue using it...

 

Capitalism