Technology package with Mobile telephone preparation - High with Audi Connect

[lotus]

What is the difference between Technology package with Mobile telephone preparation - High with Audi Connect and the standard Technology package.

Do you still get the 7" screen with the Technology package with Mobile telephone preparation - High with Audi Connect and why is the Audi phone box deleted as an option?

Do you need to use the sim slot with the Technology package with Mobile telephone preparation - High with Audi Connect or can you use the 4G from your phone to get all the Audi connect services?

 

[snowfree52]

if you have RSAP on your phone you can use your phone, if not, you need a second sim card, that's what I did

Audi connect always come with the 7" screen

 

[Itguy]

second sim card? ie new contract/fee or do they do something special for this kind of purpose??

 

[royalsteve68]

I was wondering that too, I opted for the tech pack as its the same without audi connect and then ill use my mobile - I have a Samsung s4 which ill used instead and should be able to put rsap on

 

[snowfree52]

you could have a second sim card linked to your mobile contract of have a new contract with a data sim card

since I already had a twin card in my Ipad, I took another contract and a data only sim

 

[Itguy]

Interesting - do Three do this?

 

[royalsteve68]

you could have a second sim card linked to your mobile contract of have a new contract with a data sim card

since I already had a twin card in my Ipad, I took another contract and a data only sim

I have a data only sim from three - 12months 12gb data and it cost £15 a year ago, not used it yet but should be ok as im currently using a 2nd sim to post this via my Samsung note 1

 

[ivicyrusivi]

I have a data only sim from three - 12months 12gb data and it cost £15 a year ago, not used it yet but should be ok as im currently using a 2nd sim to post this via my Samsung note 1

Damn cheap! That's now £70 by the looks of it

 

[Itguy]

Yes, I've just looked too.

I haven't put the 'connect' tech pack on my car spec, just the tech pack without connect - but the more I am hearing about it the more i'm tempted, if not just for the more up-to-date traffic information and nice and easy built-in web-radio.

I'd probably use one of the three 12.90/month unlimited internet sims for it on a rolling 1 month contract. I never thought i'd be having to buy the CAR a mobile phone contract!

 

[lotus]

So do mobile operator companies supply a free second sim card linked to your phone contract?

 

[royalsteve68]

Damn cheap! That's now £70 by the looks of it

yeh it was about £120ish at the time, but makro outlet in reading were clearly out stuff - thing is most people who shop there are stupid as they bought rubbish lighting, printers that were display models yet still more expensive than I can get cheap elsewhere brand new. Most people walked past the usb sims as they didn't know what they were - they didn't know that you can take the sim out of the usb and use it in a mobile phone like a Samsung note 1 on a data only plan, so the 90% off was awesome

I also bought up 30 netgear powerline xav1004 200mpbs devices which had a 4 port switch for £15 each - kept 6 and sold the other 24 for £60-80 each, lol

 

[bleedsoff]

Any good current offer data sim deals going?

 

[ivicyrusivi]

yeh it was about £120ish at the time, but makro outlet in reading were clearly out stuff - thing is most people who shop there are stupid as they bought rubbish lighting, printers that were display models yet still more expensive than I can get cheap elsewhere brand new. Most people walked past the usb sims as they didn't know what they were - they didn't know that you can take the sim out of the usb and use it in a mobile phone like a Samsung note 1 on a data only plan, so the 90% off was awesome

I also bought up 30 netgear powerline xav1004 200mpbs devices which had a 4 port switch for £15 each - kept 6 and sold the other 24 for £60-80 each, lol

Wow good job!

 

[ivicyrusivi]

Yes, I've just looked too.

I haven't put the 'connect' tech pack on my car spec, just the tech pack without connect - but the more I am hearing about it the more i'm tempted, if not just for the more up-to-date traffic information and nice and easy built-in web-radio.

I'd probably use one of the three 12.90/month unlimited internet sims for it on a rolling 1 month contract. I never thought i'd be having to buy the CAR a mobile phone contract!

Grab the 12gb/12momth sim for 70! Cheaper

 

[royalsteve68]

So do mobile operator companies supply a free second sim card linked to your phone contract?

don't think so and even if they allowed it you would still have to pay 2 bills.

for data though - the only way of doing what you are suggesting for data is tethering, though some networks don't officially allow it - basically it means you link one device to another via Bluetooth form of radio - its slower than mobile network form of radio eg 2g (lol), 3g, 4g - this depends on the audi setup which I know nothing about

probably for now its just easier to get a contract eg a three one

 

[cemerson]

Just to clarify as I don't think it was answered - you need Audi Connect to use the connect services whether you use a separate SIM or you do it through your phone with RSAP. And no, most phone networks won't let you have 2 sims. If you try and order another one they'll probably disable the first one first (eg, if it was stolen).

Also, there is no 'bulit in web radio' as such - you can do it through an app on your phone linked to the car's wifi, but that's it. I haven't bothered really. There's no interface on the MMI to do this (stupid IMO), you have to do it through the phone then select it as a data source.

I have a t-mobile unlimited SIM at the moment in there for £23 / month (monthly rolling contract) but to be honest I'm probably going to cancel that and get something with much less data as I'm using hardly any.

 

[cemerson]

Also, for me, while my phone supports RSAP, I didn't like it much. The car assumes your phones identity as that's how it works - it uses your sim card over bluetooth but its own GSM modem etc. This means that if you receive a text message, or a call, it'll get logged and saved in the car, but not in your phone. I didn't like that much so opted for the standard bluetooth (still with the full message support etc) and a separate sim for data.

 

[VeeDubDan]

So if you have a data SIM installed in the car, are you still able to pair your phone with the car to make and relieve calls with the phone hands free?

 

[royalsteve68]

So if you have a data SIM installed in the car, are you still able to pair your phone with the car to make and relieve calls with the phone hands free?

my exact question - the sales guys ive spoken to didn't know - would be daft as if true id have to give everyone 2 numbers one for me in the car and another for elsewhere- that would be a carp solution - if true im sure there are ways around it

 

[cemerson]

Yes is the answer to that. It used to be the case that this was impossible, but not any more.

 

[Itguy]

This is very interesting.

So what exactly do you get/benefit from by having the 'connected' version of the tech pack vs the standard tech pack?

From what I've read so far you get google earth images on the nav, google send-to-car, google search, live traffic.

How good and easy is the google search and live traffic?

How much data is it using to get the google earth maps, traffic etc etc? Is the traffic free for life or does that have a subscription too?

To compare, we've got MINI Connected on our current car and it uses an iphone app and you have to have your iphone connected to the car with a cable to get it all working. It's a bit of a pain but does work well (and does include web radio!). Obviously they've gone down this route to save people having a second sim etc.

I'm not adverse to adding yet another £300 onto my car order to get 'connected' but want to make sure it's actually worth it!

Any videos?!

 

[snowfree52]

audi says they offer the service for 36 months, not sure what happens after that,

connects offers many things :

flights and train informations
wifi hotspot
parking and service station prices and directions
google maps + google street view
twitter
facebook
weather
rss flux (they can even be read by the car for you)
link with google maps in your PC. that means you can search for an address on your computer then send it to the car, when you start the car, the destination is there. I use it often for work or holidays
favorites adding with your computer using myaudi

I like connect a lot ! I use it everyday and find it very useful

what I find the most incredible is google maps, when I cruise with google maps on the screen, sometimes I feel strange looking at the screen and seeing people houses, garden, pool etc
feels a bit like intruding on their privacy
I know I can still have a look when on the computer, but when I am cruising it doesn't feel the same !

 

[VeeDubDan]

audi says they offer the service for 36 months, not sure what happens after that,

connects offers many things :

flights and train informations
wifi hotspot
parking and service station prices and directions
google maps + google street view
twitter
facebook
weather
rss flux (they can even be read by the car for you)
link with google maps in your PC. that means you can search for an address on your computer then send it to the car, when you start the car, the destination is there. I use it often for work or holidays
favorites adding with your computer using myaudi

I like connect a lot ! I use it everyday and find it very useful

what I find the most incredible is google maps, when I cruise with google maps on the screen, sometimes I feel strange looking at the screen and seeing people houses, garden, pool etc
feels a bit like intruding on their privacy
I know I can still have a look when on the computer, but when I am cruising it doesn't feel the same !

Can you confirm where Audi say the service is provided for 36 months? Also do you have an indiation of how much data you using each month? This would help confirm is a 12GB annual SIM from 3 would be adequate.

I've spec'd Connect not really knowing what it does in reality, but only knowing it sounds quite cool! Plus it is one of those options that would be nigh impossible to retro fit so thought I'd get it included or I may regret it.

 

[Gazzz]

Did we ever get to the bottom of the question of whether you only get the free map updates with connect? I remember a thread on it a little while ago, but seem to have lost it now :-s If that is a connect-only feature, it's something worth serious consideration in my eyes

 

[snowfree52]

It says it in the brochure

if you don't do wifi hotspot or do 100.000 miles in the whole country, 12Gb annual is plenty.

there is a menu where you can look how much data you used since your last reset, I'll have a look but last time I checked, is was less than a 100 mo

and yes, I forgot to mention you get 3 years worth of map updates and it's only with audi connect

 

[Itguy]

Ref map updates only with audi connect - is that absolutely right or is it only with the tech pack (ie with or without connect?)

If the free map updates are only with connect then it helps me justify it to SWMBO !! (although they are then not free...)

 

[marshalld]

Ref map updates only with audi connect - is that absolutely right or is it only with the tech pack (ie with or without connect?)

If the free map updates are only with connect then it helps me justify it to SWMBO !! (although they are then not free...)

Hi Itguy.

According to the posting here: http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/new-a3-8v-chassis/200902-free-map-update-service.html - it's for:

"A3 models with MMI Navigation Plus (Technology packages PNQ and WB4) built from build week 22 2013 (week starting 27 May) onwards ....."

If you go for an update once a year instead of every 6 months, that's 5 years of updates out of it.

I'm now considering connect as I suspect I'll kick myself for not having it at some point in the future.

 

[paullowther]

I'm not sure about connect, a lot of it seems quite gimmicky.

The only part I I'd like is the google maps and street view, I imagine that would be quite cool. The send map to car from computer I think is a bit of a waste of money.

As for twitter, facebook etc.. why would I want to use a clunky on screen keyboard rather than my phone? I can imagine browsing around and typing statuses would take 3/4 times longer and I really don't want yet another place in my life where I can see people posting up their life stories that nobody cares about!

You've also got to pay for a new data contract which is a bit of a hidden cost.

 

[cemerson]

Hi Itguy.

According to the posting here: http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/new-a3-8v-chassis/200902-free-map-update-service.html - it's for:

"A3 models with MMI Navigation Plus (Technology packages PNQ and WB4) built from build week 22 2013 (week starting 27 May) onwards ....."

If you go for an update once a year instead of every 6 months, that's 5 years of updates out of it.

I'm now considering connect as I suspect I'll kick myself for not having it at some point in the future.

I don't think it gives you 5 updates of your choice.. it gives you 5 of the 6 monthly updates whether you use them or not, so 2 1/2 (or 3) years' worth!

 

[Itguy]

Well I've said sod it and i've added it to my order.

I feel like a fat person just saying 'another chocolate bar won't hurt'!!

When you're at a list price of 38.1k anyway another £300 makes no real difference.

That's now a total of £915 i've added to the car in the last few days that my wife doesn't know anything about. EEEK!

 

[paullowther]

Well I've said sod it and i've added it to my order.

I feel like a fat person just saying 'another chocolate bar won't hurt'!!

When you're at a list price of 38.1k anyway another £300 makes no real difference.

That's now a total of £915 i've added to the car in the last few days that my wife doesn't know anything about. EEEK!

She's going to use this as ammunition for a long time... you know that right?!

 

[Itguy]

I've been very good to her this year. Bought her a Mk5 DSG GTI, countless shoes, coats etc and am taking her to Vienna in mid Dec for the xmas markets. Plus an eternity ring! (it was our 10th wedding anni).

I have also promised her that on the afternoon of the day we pick the car up we'll be on the eurotunnel going anywhere she likes for a long weekend. I can see Bruges beckoning.

She has no come-back... but i'll still get

 

[cemerson]

Sod it, you are spending that much on the car, it'd be a waste not to make it the car you want it to be. That's what I think anyway!

 

[Itguy]

Totally agree - i have learnt over the years that it's actually the personalisation and options you choose which makes the car feel special to you and enhance the enjoyment 10 fold.

I've just watched some youtube videos of connect in action and it does look really great. Does the fuel prices thing actually work correctly and are they accurate in the UK?

What about the live traffic info? Where does it get it's feed from? Google? I hope so as thats harvested off poor android users without them knowing (in the main) but is actually incredibly rich and accurate data.

 

[lotus]

There's a review of some use here:

Audi Connect hands-on review | Stuff

 

[paullowther]

I've been very good to her this year. Bought her a Mk5 DSG GTI, countless shoes, coats etc and am taking her to Vienna in mid Dec for the xmas markets. Plus an eternity ring! (it was our 10th wedding anni).

I have also promised her that on the afternoon of the day we pick the car up we'll be on the eurotunnel going anywhere she likes for a long weekend. I can see Bruges beckoning.

She has no come-back... but i'll still get

Will you marry me mate?!

 

[cemerson]

Fuel prices works fine for me - all appear to be correct when I've looked, but not actually used it 'in anger' yet to hunt fuel.

The parking finder is able to show you costs and for some car parks it even tells you how many spaces are free in that car park as well.

I'm not sure where the traffic info comes from, but they partnered with a company that provides the info and aggregates data from all sorts of different sources, including smartphones, roadside cameras, standalone GPS's and all sorts of other devices (maybe even the cars with access report information back too). I've found it to be accurate when I've used it so far.

I'm not happy with the t-mobile coverage on mine, and it does seem that even when the signal meter reports a few bars, connect often says it doesn't have a connection (or tells me I need to switch roaming on to access data services - this'll cost a bomb though!). I may try some other networks.

 

[Itguy]

Interesting stuff. Can't wait to try it in mine now. Roll on March...

 

[Toadoftoadhall]

Totally agree - i have learnt over the years that it's actually the personalisation and options you choose which makes the car feel special to you and enhance the enjoyment 10 fold.

Thats exactly my philosophy too :icon_thumright:

 

[royalsteve68]

Can you confirm where Audi say the service is provided for 36 months? Also do you have an indiation of how much data you using each month? This would help confirm is a 12GB annual SIM from 3 would be adequate.

I've spec'd Connect not really knowing what it does in reality, but only knowing it sounds quite cool! Plus it is one of those options that would be nigh impossible to retro fit so thought I'd get it included or I may regret it.

my exact thinking which is why I added it and the led lights, plus im a sucker for tech