[Neanderthal]

Does $1,500/year seem insane to anybody else?

Yup.

 

[InCogKneeToe]

Good point tripowergto. So called "smartphones" are the worst offenders of any consumer product - even worse than OnStar and "connected cars" - when it comes to facilitating a surveillance and addiction-oriented society.

As Neanderthal mentioned in another thread, that's indicative of rapid societal decline.

My wife and I got rid of all of our "smartphones" a few years ago.

I have a Cell, but not a Data Plan, Positioning is Off. Everyone looks at me strange when they don't understand I can't receive Data, and how I manage?

It isn't that I am hiding, it's far from it. The time wasted on your Phone can be time better spent in so many ways.

Sheet, when I met my Wife, in the 80's, her parents didn't even have a Land Line.

 

[tnmats]

So in other words they've come to their senses sort of after a well deserved backlash. Say hallelujah.

They're not the only ones to pull a boneheaded stunt like this. BMW's idiocy in charging a subscription fee for Android Auto/Apple CarPlay comes to mind as an even worse idea.

The prize for the most boneheaded/brain damaged "idea" was VinFast's selling you the car but you had to lease the battery. To top it all off, it was coming from a company that has zero product on the road in the US and from a country with no auto building history. Genius 😖

 

[zeobandit]

They're not the only ones to pull a boneheaded stunt like this. BMW's idiocy in charging a subscription fee for Android Auto/Apple CarPlay comes to mind as an even worse idea.

Don't forget charging a monthly fee to use seat warmers.

 

[gkr778]

They're not the only ones to pull a boneheaded stunt like this. BMW's idiocy in charging a subscription fee for Android Auto/Apple CarPlay comes to mind as an even worse idea.

Thankfully, following a well-deserved customer revolt, in 2019 BMW of NA relented and removed the Apple CarPlay subscription fee.

Hyundai did a 180 regarding subscription fees for so called convenience and safety services last month. I'd rather do without these features altogether, but Hyundai's approach of not charging its customers recurring subscription fees for them is a good start.

CHICAGO, Feb. 9, 2023 – Today at the 2023 Chicago Auto Show, Hyundai Motor America is launching an industry-leading connected car services program called Bluelink+. With Bluelink+, Hyundai is saying good-bye to nearly all subscription fees for new owners.

All services included in the previous Bluelink Connected Care, Remote and Guidance subscription packages are now offered complimentary on a non-trial basis for new buyers with Bluelink+

 

[ksr]

I have a Cell, but not a Data Plan, Positioning is Off. Everyone looks at me strange when they don't understand I can't receive Data, and how I manage?

It isn't that I am hiding, it's far from it. The time wasted on your Phone can be time better spent in so many ways.

Sheet, when I met my Wife, in the 80's, her parents didn't even have a Land Line.

I like having any information at my fingertips when some question pops into my head. I look up stuff all the time. Hockey stats. Who is that actor and what else have I seen him in? Lot of random questions that pop into my head during the day. And I use my cell as my primary news source. So I wouldn't give up having data.

But, there is a lot of wasted time, otherwise known as "social media." I used to use Facebook. I'd get involved in conversations with people that I don't even know, pointlessly trying to change their opinions. I'd get annoyed, and it carried over to when I had put the phone down. A couple of times I went on a self-imposed hiatus from Facebook, but eventually would come back. Last year I was using it again and this time avoiding anything controversial, like politics. I was just reading stuff about cars and dogs, maybe seeing what family or friends were up to. Then in June I went on a vacation and hardly used the internet at all, and didn't use Facebook at all. I realized that I was more relaxed and that Facebook, reading stupid things that just don't matter, added absolutely nothing to my life. I haven't signed in since last June and I don't miss it even a little.

 

[Digmor Crusher]

I like having any information at my fingertips when some question pops into my head. I look up stuff all the time. Hockey stats. Who is that actor and what else have I seen him in? Lot of random questions that pop into my head during the day. And I use my cell as my primary news source. So I wouldn't give up having data.

But, there is a lot of wasted time, otherwise known as "social media." I used to use Facebook. I'd get involved in conversations with people that I don't even know, pointlessly trying to change their opinions. I'd get annoyed, and it carried over to when I had put the phone down. A couple of times I went on a self-imposed hiatus from Facebook, but eventually would come back. Last year I was using it again and this time avoiding anything controversial, like politics. I was just reading stuff about cars and dogs, maybe seeing what family or friends were up to. Then in June I went on a vacation and hardly used the internet at all, and didn't use Facebook at all. I realized that I was more relaxed and that Facebook, reading stupid things that just don't matter, added absolutely nothing to my life. I haven't signed in since last June and I don't miss it even a little.

Tried Facebook about 12 years ago, what a waste of 6 months, no social media allowed on my devices now.

 

[AWHoden]

I like having any information at my fingertips when some question pops into my head. I look up stuff all the time. Hockey stats. Who is that actor and what else have I seen him in? Lot of random questions that pop into my head during the day. And I use my cell as my primary news source. So I wouldn't give up having data.

But, there is a lot of wasted time, otherwise known as "social media." I used to use Facebook. I'd get involved in conversations with people that I don't even know, pointlessly trying to change their opinions. I'd get annoyed, and it carried over to when I had put the phone down. A couple of times I went on a self-imposed hiatus from Facebook, but eventually would come back. Last year I was using it again and this time avoiding anything controversial, like politics. I was just reading stuff about cars and dogs, maybe seeing what family or friends were up to. Then in June I went on a vacation and hardly used the internet at all, and didn't use Facebook at all. I realized that I was more relaxed and that Facebook, reading stupid things that just don't matter, added absolutely nothing to my life. I haven't signed in since last June and I don't miss it even a little.

Oh I can totally relate to that whole post. I got rid of Facebook in 2009, never looked back. I don't have Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram or TikTok. I do have Snapchat because my kids like to send me photos that way, but I ONLY have my kids and spouse on that and I don't click the TikTokianesque videos that show up on the main Snapchat page. I think being too connected to each other and everyone having a voice that they insist on everyone hearing is one of the main problems with our society. It turns everything into an echo chamber so that we stop thinking about other people as humans beings, making it easier and easier to treat each other worse, take away or block rights or priveleges because someone else is seen as "less than" or "Other". We're dehumanizing each other, which is ironically not what social media is supposed to do.

 

[ksr]

Oh I can totally relate to that whole post. I got rid of Facebook in 2009, never looked back. I don't have Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram or TikTok. I do have Snapchat because my kids like to send me photos that way, but I ONLY have my kids and spouse on that and I don't click the TikTokianesque videos that show up on the main Snapchat page. I think being too connected to each other and everyone having a voice that they insist on everyone hearing is one of the main problems with our society. It turns everything into an echo chamber so that we stop thinking about other people as humans beings, making it easier and easier to treat each other worse, take away or block rights or priveleges because someone else is seen as "less than" or "Other". We're dehumanizing each other, which is ironically not what social media is supposed to do.

Good post.

I only ever used Facebook (periodically from sometime pre-2010 until last year), and now not even that. It has it's uses i suppose. It was interesting to see what old friends from high school and college were up to when we first connected. But in 99% of cases, that was the end of the connection. Other than that, I got tired of looking at pictures of peoples' kids and dogs and, truely my favorite, what they're about to consume at some restaurant.

 

[NHRATA01]

Good post.

I only ever used Facebook (periodically from sometime pre-2010 until last year), and now not even that. It has it's uses i suppose. It was interesting to see what old friends from high school and college were up to when we first connected. But in 99% of cases, that was the end of the connection. Other than that, I got tired of looking at pictures of peoples' kids and dogs and, truely my favorite, what they're about to consume at some restaurant.

I stopped FB in '17, my account is still active but I rarely am online and hasn't had an update in years. The charged political atmosphere made the platform distasteful to me. I'll contrast your point and say I honestly didn't mind the pics of friend's kids, dogs and whatnot, I don't mind seeing regular updates and even whatever boring things were going on in their lives if they were important to me. But by '17 when a local news article on daisies blooming would devolve into left vs right chest thumping in the comments section, I peaced out. When grandma goes from posting pictures of her grandkids and hand knit blankets to diatribes about the insert whatever group here is destroying America, we've jumped the shark.

I keep an IG page that gets a handful of updates a year of my hobbies (mostly car stuff and lifting stuff). I view it as sort of a condensed digital diary so if I'm not here any longer one day my kids can revisit it, as I tend to do on my father's legacy FB page from time to time.

 

[1958carnut]

I stopped FB in '17, my account is still active but I rarely am online and hasn't had an update in years. The charged political atmosphere made the platform distasteful to me. I'll contrast your point and say I honestly didn't mind the pics of friend's kids, dogs and whatnot, I don't mind seeing regular updates and even whatever boring things were going on in their lives if they were important to me. But by '17 when a local news article on daisies blooming would devolve into left vs right chest thumping in the comments section, I peaced out. When grandma goes from posting pictures of her grandkids and hand knit blankets to diatribes about the insert whatever group here is destroying America, we've jumped the shark.

I keep an IG page that gets a handful of updates a year of my hobbies (mostly car stuff and lifting stuff). I view it as sort of a condensed digital diary so if I'm not here any longer one day my kids can revisit it, as I tend to do on my father's legacy FB page from time to time.

And I'm noticing the same BS on Twitter as a "guest" type of account. Too much trash gets on these sites.

 

[AWHoden]

And I'm noticing the same BS on Twitter as a "guest" type of account. Too much trash gets on these sites.

It's worse than the old AOL chat rooms....although back then, no one was claiming AOL was a viable source of facts and/or news. Nowadays, all these "social" media sites are being used to fill us with disinformation, conspiracy theories and outright lies, all in the name of that chest thumping, then, when we criticize it and try to winnow out the noise from the facts, they cry "Free speech!"....not on a private forum with rules and guidelines, bud. Cleaning up private social media sites is not an attack on free speech. There are actual, tangible things going on lately that ARE attacks, by the Government, on free speech and free expression, all under the guise of securing freedom.....for whom, exactly, is not clear, but it's not for everyone.

 

[FenwickHockey65]

Back on topic please.

 

[[email protected]]

Was seriously considering a 2024/5 GMC Acadia. Forced On*Star for $1500 was a show-stopper for me. Google maps is a better navigator and I don't need their phone service. I'll change my oil when the car tells me to - so what value does On*Star actually have??

 

[AWHoden]

I don't like a future with mandatory options and monthly subscriptions for something I paid to use at my leisure. I'll go without before I cave into that stupidity.

 

[1958carnut]

Back on topic please.

And it dies......

 

[TruckMan]

So now it seems even more like a money grab by GM for only mandating it for the highest trims. I suspect it’s because a lot of those buyers don’t pay that much attention to what they’re buying and just sign the check. As soon as inventory is back up dealers better be ready to offer an extra $1500 incentive to compensate for the forced option.

 

[gkr778]

Back on topic please.

Looks like the order guide for 2024 Buick Encore GX confirms what was mentioned in the OP. Only Avenir trim now includes the $1,500 OnStar Premium Plan, option code R9M. A delete option is available for fleet buyers, and is required for all customers in Puerto Rico, USVI, and Guam.

 

[RedSkyBlackDream]

I just leased a Honda Pilot and I thought paying $10/month for their subscription service was ridiculous. Free for the first three months though. The only thing I can do with the app now is check my gas. Before you could start it, adjust the cabin, check the tire pressure, track it if stolen, book hotels/restaurants and navigate to them and it contacted emergency services if airbag is deployed. Now I’m starting to think it’s a steal compared to Onstars price.

 

[tripowergto Jan2003]

^^^Why do you actually need that info on your phone?