Ford Premium Connectivity Trial

[brownsl]

I bought my MachE 4 weeks ago today. I got an email that says my Ford Premium Connectivity service ends on Monday. I thought the trial lasted longer than 30 days. Where would I find how long it lasts?

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[RickMachE]

Useless service.

https://www.ford.com/support/how-to...connected-services/ford-video-streaming-faqs/

 

[Snakebitten]

I find it very useful, but it's based on personal usage preferences in the vehicle. Particularly using a SIMless Android device for streaming content using the vehicles inexpensive Wi-Fi.

And then there's the hilarious fun I have with the grandkids bossing Alexa around from the back seat. Although not everyone might enjoy knowing the lyrics by heart to multiple Disney soundtracks, I figure I only have a few more years that they will even want to be in the vehicle with Pawpaw.

So yeah, I fork over for both the annual fee for AT&T vehicle plan, as well as Ford's middle-man skimming off the top of that for another $10 per month.

 

[generaltso]

I find it very useful, but it's based on personal usage preferences in the vehicle. Particularly using a SIMless Android device for streaming content using the vehicles inexpensive Wi-Fi.

And then there's the hilarious fun I have with the grandkids bossing Alexa around from the back seat. Although not everyone might enjoy knowing the lyrics by heart to multiple Disney soundtracks, I figure I only have a few more years that they will even want to be in the vehicle with Pawpaw.

So yeah, I fork over for both the annual fee for AT&T vehicle plan, as well as Ford's middle-man skimming off the top of that for another $10 per month.

You‘re talking about the Ford AT&T Unlimited Plan (Mobile Hotspot) feature. That’s unrelated to Premium Connectivity.

 

[Snakebitten]

You‘re talking about the Ford AT&T Unlimited Plan (Mobile Hotspot) feature. That’s unrelated to Premium Connectivity.

Are you sure?

I discussed both Alexa and streaming with a Sim-less Android.
Both require Ford's monthly connectivity service agreement.

At least that's how I understand it.
I've been using Alexa for Amazon streaming in the Powerboost for 2 years. I'm pretty sure that's what my $10 per month is making possible.

 

[generaltso]

Are you sure?

Yes. Click the link that @RickMachE posted.

The fact that you’re using a separate Android device shows that you’re using the car’s hotspot subscription. Premium Connectivity is not that.

 

[Snakebitten]

Are you saying that Alexa and Alexa/Amazon streaming does not require the Ford connectivity "streaming" agreement?

I realize that it takes both the AT&T cellular service agreement and the Ford connectivity agreement to fully leverage all the features the vehicle offers. And I think that's my point. It might not be for everyone, and obviously there are those who don't think it's worth the $10

I just happen to think it is.
I'd be happier if it was free.
But I would be happier if tacos El pastor were free too. Neither are, so I pony up. They both make me smile.

 

[generaltso]

Are you saying that Alexa and Alexa/Amazon streaming does not require the Ford connectivity "streaming" agreement?

They don't require the Premium Connectivity subscription if you're streaming them through an external device. You're using an Android phone that's connected to the car's hotspot cellular plan, which is not the same thing. Premium Connectivity would allow you to stream Amazon Music, YouTube, and NBC News in the car without an external device, but doesn't let you share that connection with other devices. Like @RickMachE said, it's pretty useless. And it's not what you have.

 

[Snakebitten]

I think the issue you are having with my posts is I don't think it's useless.
It's just one persons opinion that differs with yours or someone else's.

I'll just enjoy streaming through Alexa, which is native to the Ford as well, and allow consensus to form in the thread.

 

[CarlSagan82]

This reminds me of my Grandma paying for AOL for like a decade after the service was ended.

 

[rreddy3]

This reminds me of my Grandma paying for AOL for like a decade after the service was ended.

seriously dude?

 

[rreddy3]

I think the issue you are having with my posts is I don't think it's useless.
It's just one persons opinion that differs with yours or someone else's.

I'll just enjoy streaming through Alexa, which is native to the Ford as well, and allow consensus to form in the thread.

For me, part of the problem is simply trying to sort through what premium connectivity and alexa bring to the party, that already isn't at the party via the other connected services and, for example, apple car play and satelite radio. I have concluded from thinking through it and discussing via chat with Ford, that the other connectivity stuff like maps, etc etc, don't hinge on alexa or premium connectivity. you can still give them voice commands via the steering wheel button even if Alexa isn't active in your vehicle. I'm beginning to come around to the view that Alexa and premium connectivity are kind of trick and add 'stuff' you may or may not need or want. As Snackbitten points out, he likes it, the wee ones in the back seat like it, so life is good. Related but a slightly different tangent, I think, is the subject of hotspot. My understanding is to have Alexa you must have the hotspot. Although I don't think it necessarily works the other way. In other words, I think you can have hotspot but relegate Alexa to the ashcan of history. I just took the plunge and activated the hospot trial. Why? Because, like a mountain, it's there. In my use case, i could see a value in the hotspot roadtripping for my wife to have her tablet hooked up and streaming the movie or series du jour. Perhaps my summary of this Alexa/premium connectivity/hotspot discussion is, it is an "amenity" if you want to pay for it, not necessarily necessary, but possibley fun if not overly useful. For $320 USD all in for the AT'&T hotspot and FoMoCo "premium connectivity" a year, I'll probably do it. If 320 USD a year breaks my retirement I shouldn't have gotten the car in the first instance.

 

[Snakebitten]

seriously dude?

??
It's OK.
I am an old geezer. So I resemble his remark.
But I'm a geezer enjoying the good life while I still can.

 

[RickMachE]

For me, part of the problem is simply trying to sort through what premium connectivity and alexa bring to the party, that already isn't at the party via the other connected services and, for example, apple car play and satelite radio. I have concluded from thinking through it and discussing via chat with Ford, that the other connectivity stuff like maps, etc etc, don't hinge on alexa or premium connectivity. you can still give them voice commands via the steering wheel button even if Alexa isn't active in your vehicle. I'm beginning to come around to the view that Alexa and premium connectivity are kind of trick and add 'stuff' you may or may not need or want. As Snackbitten points out, he likes it, the wee ones in the back seat like it, so life is good. Related but a slightly different tangent, I think, is the subject of hotspot. My understanding is to have Alexa you must have the hotspot. Although I don't think it necessarily works the other way. In other words, I think you can have hotspot but relegate Alexa to the ashcan of history. I just took the plunge and activated the hospot trial. Why? Because, like a mountain, it's there. In my use case, i could see a value in the hotspot roadtripping for my wife to have her tablet hooked up and streaming the movie or series du jour. Perhaps my summary of this Alexa/premium connectivity/hotspot discussion is, it is an "amenity" if you want to pay for it, not necessarily necessary, but possibley fun if not overly useful. For $320 USD all in for the AT'&T hotspot and FoMoCo "premium connectivity" a year, I'll probably do it. If 320 USD a year breaks my retirement I shouldn't have gotten the car in the first instance.

Your understanding is incorrect. Neither Hotspot nor Premium Connectivity are needed for Alexa.

https://www.ford.ie/support/how-tos...-alexa-built-in-and-ford-premium-connectivity

 

[CarlSagan82]

??
It's OK.
I am an old geezer. So I resemble his remark.
But I'm a geezer enjoying the good life while I still can.

I really was just joking and don’t mean anything malicious so sorry about that. I vastly prefer your positive attitude over some others who are overly negative on this forum tbh.

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