Bluecruise subscription really expiring before 1.3 really delivered??

[Chuck]

Not sure, and I am actually fine with the maps not being updated, just fearing they will remove the NAV altogether like BC if not paying for it :/

I've never used Fords maps. Google maps are free.

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[azerik]

The way i see it:
$17 a month. I can spend that on 2 Bubble Tea's in a month. Not a big deal.
1.3 isn't going to be a requirement for me as BC 1.0 actually does still work and works decent. (I wasn't sold 'lane changes and Full Self Driving' I was 'sold' hands free in some areas) Those of us lucky JobOnez arn't getting a discount. We're getting it for 3 years at the rate we thought it would be, $200 a year, also fairly reasonable when you look at the current price of a coffee.
I'll renew at the $200yr, because I've blown more money on stupider things. But I won't after that 3 years are up. (Highly doubt I'll even have this MME then).

 

[VaporTrails]

I would disagree with that, as I had to pay around $2000 for Bluecruise package and no where on the window stickers or order form did it say for 3 years only.

This is what I am talking about on the buying model. So what if you got three months free (to get you hooked if it is good ) and did not have to pay that $2000 at signing time? Instead you start a subscription if you want one? That cuts $2000 off the price of the car for everyone who doesn’t live on a BC street and wouldn’t use it.

 

[bp99]

Yes? I think the vast majority of people would prefer to just stick with "outdated" maps that work 99.5% of the time. And this is mostly moot, since there are plenty of free nav options through AA and ACP.

It is a bit different for EVs vs. ICE. Pre-conditioning for charging is built in to the built in nav. We also have not yet seen how much integration with Tesla Super Chargers might rely on nav (such as possible route optimizations based on charger availability).

For daily local driving, it's moot. For longer road trips, there is potential for updated nav data (especially with how much change is occurring with public charging infrastructure) to make a real difference.

My preference would be for first party nav to not exist. Create a bluetooth device with an industry standard api that navigation apps could use to get real time battery charge, mileage and the ability to trigger conditioning. Let us use the mapping app of our choice along with standardized integration with the car. AA/ACP projection lets us use updated software and hardware (new phones) for the life of the car. Even with subscriptions, they're likely to stop supporting the built in software at some point before the cars are all off the road.

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

That cuts $2000 off the price of the car for everyone who doesn’t live on a BC street and wouldn’t use it.

There are no BlueCruise streets anywhere. There are only BlueCruise highways: divided, controlled access and surveyed roads. Hands on BlueCruise is simply rebadged Adaptive Cruise Control.

 

[apwelsh]

I agree, everyone has to decide what BlueCruise is worth to them personally, but $800/year is WAY more than it is worth to me, but $600/3years is a tougher choice for me. If I had more faith in all of the software it may be more worth it to me, but I would have to be paying in hopes that they get better with software.

As of now whenever someone asks about my car, my one sentence review is that it is a great car with C minus software. The timeliness of some of these software improvements is high on the list of my problems. It doesn't make me want to invest more money right now.

I’m have a 2023 model, and I do not agree with this at all. I am not on the preview releases yet (station waiting for approval) and my car’s software is absolutely awesome, and I have zero complaints.
I won’t pay for self driving at this time, but I don’t have to think about it until my 3year initial subscription expires at end of 2026. I full expect the cost to go down, or to ultimately end up as a free service over time.
I drive, because I love to drive. Blue cruise to me is just a nice to have on long straight drives.

 

[zhackwyatt]

When paying over 50 000 dollars for a car, then no, I’m refusing to pay Ford to update their maps (which by the way took almost a year to update a new highway in my area). Those pocket money Ford could cover over the lifespan of the vehicle as a good gesture, especially after three rounds of failed HVBJB. It’s not like a computer software from a supplier where they have to rely solely on licensing and such, we have paid for a car upfront, which more than enough Shiism cover 10-15 years of maps.

I don't think the margins

When paying over 50 000 dollars for a car, then no, I’m refusing to pay Ford to update their maps (which by the way took almost a year to update a new highway in my area). Those pocket money Ford could cover over the lifespan of the vehicle as a good gesture, especially after three rounds of failed HVBJB. It’s not like a computer software from a supplier where they have to rely solely on licensing and such, we have paid for a car upfront, which more than enough Shiism cover 10-15 years of maps.

You may have paid over 50000 for the car. But it's also a more expensive car to build. Do you know what the profit Ford makes on a Mach-E? I don't. Seems pertinent though.

 

[zhackwyatt]

As far as I know, you cannot pay to advertise on Apple Maps. Not sure about Google maps, but you cannot for Apple Maps.

Apple does pick businesses to show in the guides, but they don’t pay and are randomly selected.

Google maps will make sponsored businesses more prominent.

Apple may see it as a value add to not rely on Google. But the profit margins on cars are nothing like the insane margins Apple has on everything.

 

[Mache_Nor]

I've never used Fords maps. Google maps are free.

True, however there are two issues: Apple CarPlay navigation does not show in the mini cluster screen, and you won’t be able to precondition the battery before charging as that has to be done in the navigation :/

 

[ericNdfw]

True, however there are two issues: Apple CarPlay navigation does not show in the mini cluster screen, and you won’t be able to precondition the battery before charging as that has to be done in the navigation :/

If you're talking about the next upcoming navigation advice (turn, exit, etc), Apple Maps CarPlay definitely does show in the driver cluster and has for a long time. (not sure about Waze or Google Maps on CarPlay as I rarely use them, but I thought they did too)

You are correct about the battery preconditioning though. Two weeks ago, I took a road trip and for that reason I used Ford Nav for the first time in months. After my last charging stop, I went back to Apple Maps immediately because it's UX is so much nicer. I hope Ford and Apple work that out given Farley's comments about Ford's support of CarPlay.

(I also wish Apple Maps had the range circle that Ford Nav presents on the map)

 

[TheVirtualTim]

That's good, but has the NDA been lifted?

I first saw the claim that someone who is not in Early Access received the BC 1.4 update -- but that's just ONE case and ... I'm highly skeptical.

I would assume NDA is still in effect until I see many more cases.

 

[kennelh]

I first saw the claim that someone who is not in Early Access received the BC 1.4 update -- but that's just ONE case and ... I'm highly skeptical.

I would assume NDA is still in effect until I see many more cases.

For reference, this is the Facebook post in question. In the thread he does post FP screenshots of the release notes.

 

[Barno]

Job 1 2021 Premium ER AWD. I still love the car as I was prepared for the roller coaster as I treated the purchase as if I was an early adopter of both a new computer platform and new software. Luckily at this stage of my life (64 year old) I can afford the $600 for the next 3 years so I renewed as my trial is over any minute. I enjoy BC very much. My motto is WAIWF? What Am I Waiting For? PS This forum has made the ride so enjoyable because of my fellow members. Big shout out to Hybrid2Bev, Kamuelaflyer, Mirak and others too numerous to name, but you know who you are. Happy New Year to all! PPS the Ford BEV team was awesome when I had to replace my HVBJB 2 months ago(18K miles). Guess where I learned about them? ?

 

[generaltso]

For reference, this is the Facebook post in question. In the thread he does post FP screenshots of the release notes.

Look at his occupation:

Distribution Network Metrics Manager at Ford Motor Company

 

[Mantastic]

The car comes with XM radio. Is XM radio a cash grab?

False equivalency.

XM radio is a third party entertainment provider that's not unique to vehicles.

It's not a first party car feature integrated with pricey hardware you purchase with the vehicle, nor does it have any bearing how the car drives.

The model is changing from the car-buying model of the past. The feature of BC comes with yearly licensing that Ford has to pay and software upgrades just to stay current. They could give you assisted cruise control in that model, but not BC. Pricing software development 5 years from now is not something shareholders would likely agree with.

Change isn't always good, nor is it guaranteed. Like I said, these types of changes are litmus tests to see if customers are willing to shell out the extra cash for it, and if so, the slippery slope will just keep on sliding down. BMW tried it and (thankfully) failed. We need to do the same by speaking with our wallets.

If we don't, then we'll just be inviting "micro"transaction hell into our vehicles.

Look at the gaming industry as a comparison. Little by little companies started charging more and more, for no other reason than they could make more money. It all started with $3 horse armor in Oblivion back in 2006, now there's games (especially on mobile) where you literally have to spend six figures to max out your content.

While cars won't reach that extreme level, they will definitely take advantage of any opportunity to take money from willing customers, potentially adding thousands to the cost of ownership every year.

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