Jump to content
News
Reviews
Discussons
Activity
Create New...
Close
  • Drew Dowdell
    Drew Dowdell

    By Drew Dowdell •

    BMW Makes Apple CarPlay Free

      ...The subscription model didn't work out...

    In 2018, when BMW launched it's 7.0 operating system for its in-car infotainment, it included Apple Car Play for free for the first 12 months.  After that, the owner was asked to pay $80 for a 1 year subscription to Car Play or $300 for a 240 month subscription. This caused a stir among BMW owners because Apple Car Play is included at no charge in nearly every other brand out there and because Apple doesn't charge manufacturers to use Apple CarPlay in their models. Models as basic as the Chevrolet Sonic have CarPlay as standard and without any subscription fees. 

    Now BMW has confirmed it is backing away from the subscription model in order to keep customers happy. All compatible 2019 and 2020 vehicles sold will be offered a free unlimited subscription once the initial 12 months are up. Older models that have CarPlay such as the i3, i8, 4-series, and older 2-series will have to pay for a lifetime subscription. 

    For now, Android users are still stuck without a solution as BMW does not support Android Auto in its vehicles yet. 

    Go to articles

    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    USA-1

    Just another way to try to make recurring revenue that bit BMW in the arse.

    What is there that the app does that they would need to charge for? Sounds like they didn't understand how it worked. My Silverado MyLink has Apple CP and Android Auto apps preloaded, all it really does is allow your smartphone to connect to the in-car infotainment system to mirror your phone and like you stated, at no charge. 

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    ccap41
    5 minutes ago, USA-1 said:

    Just another way to try to make recurring revenue that bit BMW in the arse.

    What is there that the app does that they would need to charge for? Sounds like they didn't understand how it worked. My Silverado MyLink has Apple CP and Android Auto apps preloaded, all it really does is allow your smartphone to connect to the in-car infotainment system to mirror your phone and like you stated, at no charge. 

    I believe they're the only company with the rights to be wireless. Everybody else has to connect via a cable.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    ykX

    You can get free Carplay AND Android Auto in Kia or Chevrolet, but you can't in BMW.  Hmmm, something wrong with that picture

    My friends have '19 530.  They had issues with infotainment.  Plus it drives like a 20 year old Lexus.

    • Haha 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Drew Dowdell
    3 minutes ago, ykX said:

    You can get free Carplay AND Android Auto in Kia or Chevrolet, but you can't in BMW.  Hmmm, something wrong with that picture

    I think that was the big issue.... cheap cars coming with it standard. 

    • Agree 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    riviera74
    7 hours ago, Drew Dowdell said:

    I think that was the big issue.... cheap cars coming with it standard. 

    Almost everyone came with Apple CarPlay and/or Android Audio standard.  I am glad BMW was forced into making the sensible decision and ditch the annual fee.  BMW could build their own OnStar and charge fees for that instead.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites


    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
    Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

    Guest
    Add a comment...

    ×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

      Only 75 emoji are allowed.

    ×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

    ×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

    ×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

    ×

  • google-news-icon.png



  • google-news-icon.png

  • Subscribe to Cheers & Gears

    Cheers and Gears Logo

    Since 2001 we've brought you real content and honest opinions, not AI-generated stuff with no feeling or opinions influenced by the manufacturers.

    Please consider subscribing. Subscriptions can be as little as $1.75 a month, and a paid subscription drops most ads.*
     

    You can view subscription options here.

    *a very limited number of ads contain special coupon deals for our members and will show

  • Similar Content

  • Posts

    • trinacriabob
      Random Thoughts Thread

      By trinacriabob · Posted

      Very cool that Pizza Bank continues.  When the Seattle Link train finally crosses the lake, I may visit, ride on it, and might check their pizza, which was top notch, as was Pegasus on the waterfront in Alki. - - - - - I am thoroughly disgusted.  Google Maps plans to relabel the Gulf of Mexico.  Much like Chicago's Sears Tower is still the Sears Tower to me and like Houston's Transco Tower is still the Transco Tower to me, the Gulf of Mexico will continue to be the Gulf of Mexico to me, since this is about pure elitism. Mexico may not be on my bucket list, but why take away this name as if they gain that much from it to begin with?
    • G. David Felt
      Random Thoughts Thread

      By G. David Felt · Posted

      New Owners of Pizza Bank, still pretty good after all these years from when it was a Seafirst Bank!  
    • oldshurst442
      Airplanes

      By oldshurst442 · Posted

      Im trying sooooo hard to ignore myself.  I cant.  Its impossible to do as he mocks Canada. Threatens Canada.  We Canadians are taking his insults and threats very seriously and its impossible just to let it go.  Our relationship with our American brothers and sisters are put to a test and we do not like it one bit.     I havent been so proud to be Canadian like this in a very long while.   Enough that I have started cheering for the Montreal Canadiens in hockey.  Havent done so since 1984.    I havent started loathing the US quite yet, but Im awfully close in doing so.   I have started with that thought process though... and Im easing into the hatred.    
    • trinacriabob
      Random Thoughts Thread

      By trinacriabob · Posted

      Q:  What is a Bellevue housewife's favorite position? A:  Facing Bellevue Square - - - - - Dick's in Wallingford, hardly a vegetarian hot spot, is sitting in a neighborhood that is chock full of Subaru wagons, driven by homely ladies with short gray hair who put "keep your laws off my body" bumper stickers on them and who seemed to work in admin. positions at UW.  Not a stereotype ... a reality ... one that I repeatedly saw on the campus and when I would cross I-5 into adjacent Wallingford.  I once took an out-of-town guest around the city and we even drove around a few streets in Wallingford so I could point out the ridiculously disproportionate number of Subaru wagons parked on driveways and next to the curbs.  All in good fun. I never ate at Dick's because I rarely eat hamburgers, but I loved Pizza Bank in Kirkland and Orexi Greek in Bellevue.
    • G. David Felt
      Random Thoughts Thread

      By G. David Felt · Posted

      Good solid review The Premium Electric Truck That Justifies Every Dollar Over Its Rivals

  • Who's Online (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online

  • My Clubs

×
×
  • Create New...

Hey there, we noticed you're using an ad-blocker. We're a small site that is supported by ads or subscriptions. We rely on these to pay for server costs and vehicle reviews.  Please consider whitelisting us in your ad-blocker, or if you really like what you see, you can pick up one of our subscriptions for just $1.75 a month or $15 a year. It may not seem like a lot, but it goes a long way to help support real, honest content, that isn't generated by an AI bot.

See you out there.

Drew
Editor-in-Chief

I've whitelisted
Continue without support

Write what you are looking for and press enter or click the search icon to begin your search