[alsper]

I did go ahead and installed a SIM card with data, in my GTS, - connected my Android phone and found...NOTHING!!!
The screen in the car does not even show any Google, or Google services, connections, maps etc.


So I contacted my SA, - just to be told that all those services are not, currently, yet, being offered in Canada, - at all! And there's not even an expected time if/when those are going to be introduced here..!


Therefore, why were we offered, and charged, those expensive options to begin with, when there is no potential, at all, for utilizing them?

 

[Justin Loving]

I can report on this more soon. AT&T gave you no way to look at usage on the trial plan.

 

[KT88]

That sounds good! If it's dedicated to your Macan.

The only way I ever knew what my usage in my Audis was because the MMI in each car actually has a data mgr and reports usage per period, which of course I was free to reset at anytime. I chose monthly. Nothing like that in PCM that I can find and my At&t bill will lump all of that SIMs usage together so as I move it from device-to-device the only way to know what bandwidth a device is sucking up is for that device to have a its own data-manager so to speak.

Like everything else tech-related, and though Porsche has made a huge move with PCM 4 (uh, finally?), they've still left out services, some critical, some so not so much, that other makers have had for years.

I can report on this more soon. AT&T gave you no way to look at usage on the trial plan.

 

[DJRob]

I'm thinking that the Porsche Connect Plus description should be changed from this:

Apple CarPlay™
4G LTE Module
Updatable onboard maps (first 3 years)
AT&T SIM Card Data Trial
Google® StreetView
Google® Earth
Online Destination Search
Real Time Traffic Information
Porsche Car Connect

To this:

Porsche Connect Plus - $1300

Includes:
Apple CarPlay™
4G LTE Module
AT&T SIM Card Data Trial

Access to the following with owner supplied data connection:
Online Destination Search
Real Time Traffic Information

Limited time Trials of the Following Subscription Services:
Google® StreetView
Google® Earth
Porsche Car Connect

Possibly free with use of owner supplied data connection, or maybe folded into the $155/year Navigation and Infotainment Services Subscription:
Updatable onboard maps (first 3 years)

 

[ghstudio]

But that is not what we were sold....

 

[Josh Perlman]

it sounds like this package is really badly explained and sold. needing to pay a data connection is crazy-- needing to pay a licensing fee to something that we paid for is crazy. so basically $1300 pays to unlock software that is already loaded and work for 3 months-- after that you're on your own?

 

[Justin Loving]

T-Mobile breaks usage up per device so it should be pretty easy.

 

[DJRob]

Another piece of the puzzle:

https://myvehicle.att.com/#/Porsche/learn

 

[ghstudio]

it sounds like this package is really badly explained and sold. needing to pay a data connection is crazy-- needing to pay a licensing fee to something that we paid for is crazy. so basically $1300 pays to unlock software that is already loaded and work for 3 months-- after that you're on your own?

I guess it's no surprise that Porsche really is not clear when you need to insert a separate SIM into the PCM and what you can run if you tether the PCM through your current phone which is clearly an option.

If I tether and use my phone for connection (eg verizon/sprint) can I get real time traffic, google stuff?

Is there any function that REQUIRES a SIM inserted into it's own slot on the PCM?

I almost hate to ask...but is the PCM locked to ATT or would a t-mobile (or other GSM) SIM work just as well?

From a technical standpoint, what frequencies and bands are supported by the US PCM internal cellular radios? (I wonder if there is anyone in Porsche that even understands that question..hint: it works on ATT isn't an answer, it's an example). I will assume it does not handle CDMA fallback if you use a Verizon/Sprint SIM and you leave an LTE area. Note: this question does not apply if you tether the PCM to your phone because your connectivity is defined by your cellphone, not the Porsche PCM.

 

[DJRob]

I guess it's no surprise that Porsche really is not clear when you need to insert a separate SIM into the PCM and what you can run if you tether the PCM through your current phone which is clearly an option.

If I tether and use my phone for connection (eg verizon/sprint) can I get real time traffic, google stuff?

Is there any function that REQUIRES a SIM inserted into it's own slot on the PCM?

I believe that a SIM data connection OR tethering to your phone are equivalent to the PCM. I don't think any services require the SIM if you are tethering (and vice versa).

 

[Luke]

I don't understand all the confusion?! I think it is and always has been very clear what you get and what you don't in terms of PCM, PCM Nav, Connect, Connect+. What services that are attached and not.

To sort out one of the big confusions going on in here....

Google services; Earth, Online search, Google Street view, PCM Connect App, etc. ALL REQUIRE that Connect PLUS is optioned in the car. If Connect Plus is optioned the user can CHOOSE wether to use a SIM-card in the sim-slot for data services OR tether via the phone if that is a preferred alternative and that the user don't wan't to go with a separate sim/dataplan. If connect+ is NOT ordered it will NOT be possible to tether any of the google services or connect+ services.

 

[Ced4jets]

Agree

 

[ghstudio]

I don't understand all the confusion?! I think it is and always has been very clear what you get and what you don't in terms of PCM, PCM Nav, Connect, Connect+. What services that are attached and not.

To sort out one of the big confusions going on in here....

Google services; Earth, Online search, Google Street view, PCM Connect App, etc. ALL REQUIRE that Connect PLUS is optioned in the car. If Connect Plus is optioned the user can CHOOSE wether to use a SIM-card in the sim-slot for data services OR tether via the phone if that is a preferred alternative and that the user don't wan't to go with a separate sim/dataplan. If connect+ is NOT ordered it will NOT be possible to tether any of the google services or connect+ services.

So lets list some of the confusion points that you apparently don't see.

1) What SIM cards will work inserted into the slot in the PCM....will Verizon/Sprint (CDMA) carrier SIMS work if you are in their LTE areas.

2) Does the PCM drop back from LTE to 3G data...if so, will it work on both T-mobile and ATT networks in drop back mode? Will it drop back for CDMA carriers?

3) What can I access with my $1300 Porsche option without paying any additional money to Porsche or someone else...what is this "NEW" $155 "extra" annual fee that may or may not be needed to access google applications and/or map updates...unmentioned in the configurator until the last 30 days where it is still unclear?

4) If I tether, can I do everything that I could do if I had a dedicated SIM in the car?

5) What is the approximate data usage per month to use the various services...or am I supposed to just guess at which plan I need? How much data does something like google earth require per hour...even roughly?

6) Can I access SIRI by using the voice button with connect? How about connect +?

7) Can I access google via voice while driving using the voice button?

I probably could think of some other items...but obviously from the above, there are many unanswered questions, at least for those of us in the US.

 

[ChromeBumper]

I don't own a Macan but I'm picking up a 718 (It's sort of like a real Porsche, except it has a 4-cylinder engine) with PCM4 next month and this seems to be the most active forum on the subject. The roll-out has been very confusing: the best confirmed detail I've seen has been from someone here who posted a long drive report where he familiarized himself with the system and took the time to tell us as well.

I've used Garmin GPSs with FM-based traffic and the data was nowhere as good as Google's: unless FM traffic has improved a bunch I think that having an internet connection is worth it. I've never used XM traffic so can't comment on how good their data is but I think that the service costs almost as much as an ATT data SIM add-on (if you're already under contract with them). I feel as many here do that Porsche's communication as to what was required to get that internet data into the PCM through a SIM or tethering has been horrendous. It doesn't help that they have a bunch of hardware systems and subscriptions with similar names: Porsche Connect and Connect Plus are systems, PCM Connect is a free service, Car Connect is a subscription service through a third party that uses a separate, hidden SIM card and can you can use to fold your mirrors but not start your car (?!), and we are just now hearing about a new "connect" subscription to allow our $3000 piece of hardware to see data that we can see for free forever on a $100 phone.

I think that the right technical answer would be for the car folks to give up on the navigation and digital content distribution businesses and embrace some sort of screen mirroring system such as what I use to put my phone display on my TV via Roku over wifi. It works fine and doesn't require a cable connection. I tend to keep my cars for 10-12 years but wouldn't use a phone or navigation system that old, even with software updates. The more processing the car takes on the sooner the system will start to show its age. A dumb display should hold up for ten years (barely). It seems as though Apple Carplay adds an unnecessary layer of complication and inevitable obsolescence by being a software middleman. I just don't get it.

I understand that Porsche wouldn't install Google's Android Auto because Google wanted access to too much data. That may be a valid point, although it's more of a concern for Porsche than it is for us consumers. This makes me wonder if making us pay $155/year for traffic data (and the mandatory fluff they add in to make it look like a "package") that is otherwise free might be so that they can keep google out of our travel history. IF that's the case, a subscription might be worth it to some users although the rest of us would probably rather have the choice. On the other hand, Porsche or whomever they sell the concession to might just be using the data for their own purposes or selling it to someone worse than Google. We just don't know. If Porsche is putting themselves in the middle of the data stream to make more money it seems like bad business since the investment required to maintain a real-time data distribution system has to be out of proportion to the market size. Maybe the cynics are right and they're just installing a software gate, charging a subscription fee to keep it open, and letting Google keep all our data. It would be really nice to know.

I'd be interested to hear more real-world or any industry-insider views.

 

[Luke]

So lets list some of the confusion points that you apparently don't see.

1) What SIM cards will work inserted into the slot in the PCM....will Verizon/Sprint (CDMA) carrier SIMS work if you are in their LTE areas.

2) Does the PCM drop back from LTE to 3G data...if so, will it work on both T-mobile and ATT networks in drop back mode? Will it drop back for CDMA carriers?

3) What can I access with my $1300 Porsche option without paying any additional money to Porsche or someone else...what is this "NEW" $155 "extra" annual fee that may or may not be needed to access google applications and/or map updates...unmentioned in the configurator until the last 30 days where it is still unclear?

4) If I tether, can I do everything that I could do if I had a dedicated SIM in the car?

5) What is the approximate data usage per month to use the various services...or am I supposed to just guess at which plan I need? How much data does something like google earth require per hour...even roughly?

6) Can I access SIRI by using the voice button with connect? How about connect +?

7) Can I access google via voice while driving using the voice button?

I probably could think of some other items...but obviously from the above, there are many unanswered questions, at least for those of us in the US.

1,2: I don't live in the US, but I would assume the PCM is to be seen as an "unlocked" iphone. Hence it of course will fallback from LTE -> 3g, you could use any phone company that support the standard SIM and so on... Ask your porsche dealer about the spec if this is a concern.

3: You can access all services for a limited period of time. In EU this time is 2 years from delivery day which is included at no extra cost. If you would like to extend the services an annual fee will apply. Don't know the US specifics. You will still need a separate subscription for the SIM (or tether data with your phone). With "all services" I mean; Porsche Apps, Google Earth, Google Online Search, Google Street view, RTTI, Map updates (and probably some more stuff that I forgot to mention).

4: YES

5: This is a weird question. Of course depends on how much you drive around and so on. Is this really of importance? Do you worry about driving around with your phone using waze also?

6: YES about SIRI for both Connect/Connect+. There however seems to be a bug in the voice command "online search" which does not work. Will probably be fixed in next software update.

7: NO, at least not with the current PCM software version

 

[ghstudio]

1,2: The dealer has no clue what SIM will work other than ATT since that's what Porsche gives them for trials. I doubt the PCM is an unlocked iphone...it may be unlocked, but does it handle cdma and the different bands and frequencies for all US carriers like my Motorola Pure phone?? No one seems to know....

3) Another area where no one seems to know....the ATT trial is 3 months or 3GB but what about the Porsche license/s which may be required. 2 years sounds good....but we are in the US.

5) not a strange question at all....I buy buckets of minutes...I have a 6gb/month plan now....there must be some way to estimate the data traffic for using the google stuff or real time traffic or whatever. Believe it or not, engineers actually do calculate/measure and track those things....but porsche gives us nothing...not even examples. WAZE is a different animal....and does a good job of compacting it's data stream. I have no clue how google earth/etc do. If I have to sign up for a 20gb plan, that's a big additional cost which I (and others) would like to know.

6) I saw there was a bug in connect...but not sure if that bug is also in connect +.

7) You may be right, but of course it's ridiculous not to implement this function. There is no documentation...and even if there were, I'm not sure we should believe it (eg activate surround view with the diamond button).

 

[DJRob]

I have little interest in the Porsche Car Connect services, since Remote Services ($119/year for remote trip statistics, remote vehicle status, car finder, remote door locking (but not UNLOCKING?), geo-fencing), Safety Services ($159/year for airbag deployment notification and breakdown calling), and Security Services ($219/year for advanced theft detection and 24/7 vehicle tracking) are pretty lame considering the costs. Yes, there are discounts if you subscribe to more than one, but it's still a lot for what you're getting.

My biggest concern regards the Navigation and Infotainment Services package for Connect Plus. Google Earth and Street View are listed in this $155/year subscription package. I'm fine with these services requiring me to provide them a data connection, but it was never clearly disclosed that there would be ongoing charges for the privilege of simply accessing these. The US configurator says this:

Includes:

Apple CarPlay™
4G LTE Module
Updatable onboard maps (first 3 years)
AT&T SIM Card Data Trial
Google® StreetView
Google® Earth
Online Destination Search
Real Time Traffic Information
Porsche Car Connect

The operative word is *Includes.* But if one goes to the page for Navigation and Infotainment services it says:

12 months trial period if you buy a vehicle equipped with Connect Plus

It would be nice if the configurator linked the subscription details in the description popup, but it doesn't. In fact, it goes into a bit of round-about detail on the Porsche Car Connect Services and that it requires a service contract with a 3rd party, but not a word about the Google features.

A further point of confusion- does the $155/year include the data connection, or is this still leeching off a user supplied plan? For $155/year, that would be reasonable if it included the data connection. Again, no clear word on this- at least not on the Navigation and Infotainment Services pages of the Porsche Connect Store. Only this little oddball nugget dropped in a paragraph about real-time traffic information:

You can update your map material via your Internet connection, saving you a pit stop at the workshop.

Nothing about the Google or other services make any mention of *your Internet connection.*

 

[ghstudio]

When my the "replacement" car arrives (waiting on PCM), I will have another discussion with Porsche...this time on the $155 fee to get what was "included" when I ordered the car and connect + feature. I believe they should (read that as have to) waive the fee since it wasn't disclosed. There are actually laws that stop a vendor from deciding to charge a fee for something they sold as "included". One could easily believe that the VW group and Porsche don't care much for US laws....

 

[DJRob]

I wrote PCNA to get clarity on the subscription services, what will work without an ongoing fee, what requires a user provided data connection, and what the trial periods are on the Porsche Car Connect services and here's the reply (emphasis mine):

Apple CarPlay will continue to work as it is not tied to any trial periods. The PCM mirrors your phone when the phone is connected to the lightning cable and the vehicle. Also, in regards to the Google Street View and Google Earth, this option would require your vehicle to have a working internet connection.

A data connection is required in addition to your subscription for the Google Street View and Google Earth. For more details, please follow the link: Homepage - Porsche Connect Store United States of America

In regards to the Porsche Car Connect, for Non-Hybrid cars, the trial period lasts one year, and only includes the Remote Service. Only Hybrid vehicles receive all three services (Remote, Security, and Safety) under the trial period.

So there we have it.
1. Google Earth and Street View require a subscription if you want to continue using them after the 1 year trial.
2. There is only a trial period for the Remote Service in the Porsche Car Connect suite of subscriptions (unless you have a hybrid)

 

[ghstudio]

I wrote PCNA to get clarity on the subscription services, what will work without an ongoing fee, what requires a user provided data connection, and what the trial periods are on the Porsche Car Connect services and here's the reply (emphasis mine):



So there we have it.
1. Google Earth and Street View require a subscription if you want to continue using them after the 1 year trial.
2. There is only a trial period for the Remote Service in the Porsche Car Connect suite of subscriptions (unless you have a hybrid)

Mr Pine will soon receive one more letter. They can't just add a subscription fee for google apps when they sell the feature saying it is included.....that's a potential legal issue.