[Tardisman]

I've had my ID4 since late June.

I was wondering why do owners in the United States get stuck with the Carnet app which is seriously lacking in features, whereas the European Phone app (We Connect) has so many more features?

The only real things we can do from the App in the US is Toggle Charging on and off, turn on the Climate Control System and adjust the Temperature.

John

 

[CapeCodID4]

Excellent question. I was going to ask, too, but have already posted twice today. They tout how great CarNet is. I find it horrible, even compared to a more budget brand like Hyundai and the app we get for our Kona EV. Granted, the Kona EV isn't a cheap car, but it's the same app you'd get on any Hyundai equipped with Bluelink...

 

[Don]

It is way too useless to be taking up space on my phone . . . .

Don

 

[Nai3t]

The full version of Car-Net — maybe "full" is incorrect, but when used with VW's other US models — offers all the expected features: lock, unlock, turn on lights, beep horn, read odometer, change paint color, etc.

VW has said we'll see an updated Car-Net and, like a stick record, I'm guessing done of those features are tied to us getting 3.0 (which sounds more and more like the Holy Grail whenever I write it). Maybe 3.1 or 3.2, who TF knows at this point? I digress...

I would bet there's some sort of EU regulatory issue preventing us from getting the We Connect app, just like BMW and Mercedes offer different apps for the N American and European markets. They've got some strong privacy in Europe, so I wouldn't be surprised if particulars such as server locations and data / location sharing have driven these decisions.

Still, doesn't explain the missing features in Car-Net, especially considering I can unlock a Jetta.

 

[nigela]

I've had my ID4 since late June.

I was wondering why do owners in the United States get stuck with the Carnet app which is seriously lacking in features, whereas the European Phone app (We Connect) has so many more features?

The only real things we can do from the App in the US is Toggle Charging on and off, turn on the Climate Control System and adjust the Temperature.

John

Car-Net and WeConnect are services. The WeConnect service does not exist in North America, whereas the Car-Net service does. I believe VW outsourced Car-Net to Bosch, who have apparently outsourced it to another party.

It’s safe to say that the ID.4’s current firmware doesn’t have much support for many of the advanced features that other VW model owners enjoy. Maybe someday.

For me, VW NA has been creating unrealistic expectations for owners by saying firmware and Car-Net updates are imminent. They aren’t. We could be a full year away from the 3.0 firmware.

 

[Tardisman]

For me, VW NA has been creating unrealistic expectations for owners by saying firmware and Car-Net updates are imminent. They aren’t. We could be a full year away from the 3.0 firmware.

No kidding especially considering that Software 2.3 was suppose to be available in Europe in July. It's almost the end of October and not all European cars have gotten the 2.3 update.

John

 

[Mark Magiera]

Having an 2019 e-Golf that offered CarNet for free for the 1st 6 months, the app (then) worked like what I see with WeConnect (Europe). Then in October of 2019, there was an "update" & the App totally & entirely sucked. The "app" redirected to a web based platform. Also around that time, the data was changed from AT&T network to Verizon network (contract by 3rd party-contractor that was subcontracted by Bosch). A couple months later, the "app" was then only supporting anyone with a Android 8.0 or more recent (Nov of 2019). i.e. my wife's Galaxy S7 works (kinda) with the app (when it isn't down, which service has gone down often over the last 2 years), but my old S6 is no longer supported. I've had my S6 for 7 years, I didn't care about CarNet, S6 still suits me fine after 7yrs & I have 4G, I do not need a new phone just because VW has a crap app to offer. My wife can still set the heat manually on the ID4 with the app. She never used the CarNet app for her e-Golf & she drives the car 99% of the time.

As you can see, this is a REAL rabbits hole of really bad contractual management that has not delivered on apart of VW. In a bit of more irony, last week I got a letter in the mail from VW Carnet informing me that my e-Golf will no longer have Carnet data collection because.... The data is transmitted via "3G" & Verizon is ending 3G data coverage. So for all those who "paid" for 3 years of service (or less), you are SOL...

How does this relate to CarNet with the ID4? Simple. I have yet to meet someone who thinks the CarNet "app" is anywhere close to acceptable OR worth the money. The fact that they parse the services into sub purchases only adds insult to injury.

The ID4 still does not have the software for charge scheduling on board correctly uploaded. And until OTA is resolved for the NA fleet of ID4's, the LAST thing VW is going to allow is coding access to the cars by a 3rd party subcontractor using a 2nd party OTA data plan. As it is, our rolling PC's with wheel's have their access PW protected from even the VW dealership service technicians to work on the cars with a Engineer remotely connected to look over their shoulder.

The 2021/22 & foreseeable future MY ID4's are the ID4 Mark I. Carnet is going to be the pits until their contract ends & VW brings it back IN house. I don't see that until the ID4 is a Mark II. By then all the MKI owners will see a letter in the mail that 4G will not longer be supported because the mainstream will be 5G or the "newest network toy."

 

[Nai3t]

I don't think there's any danger of 4G going away any time soon — 5G requires too many sites for a similar area of coverage, and is really most useful in high density areas.

I didn't realize the old Car-Net had been neutered. I wonder if this is all bundled together with VW's software restructuring, and we're all (our cars and apps included) in a giant, slow-moving page turn?

 

[fiehlsport]

Voice over 5G isn't even widespread at this time. 4G is the basis of all cellular technology now and will work in tandem with 5G for a long time. It took many, many years for 3G to get shutdown for good, in 2022.

 

[Johnny_id4]

The CarNet app for the ID4 for the US is not even half baked in terms of features. All other cars from VW has a greater features set when coming to CarNet.

Disappointed in the app for sure, VW needs to build out these feature sets along with getting our cars updated with OTA. Lagging behind compared to other EVs, imo.

 

[Islander]

Agreed, CarNet sucks. But it does two things I like. It allows me to warm or cool the cabin before I get in. This makes me very popular with my wife now that the weather is cold. Second, it's the closest thing we've got to scheduled charging. I plug the car into my L2 EVSE, use CarNet to stop the charge, wait until I want the charge to start, and use CarNet to remotely start the charge. It's not schedule charging, but at least I don't have to go out into the carport to start a charge at, say, midnight. I can just set a timer to remind me to do it while I'm watching Bjorn on YouTube. Or ID.Furkan.

 

[xcaliburinhand]

From what I have found the ID.4 seems to use a new telematics platform from WirelessCar (who VW took over from Volvo in 2019). The support and integration of the WirelessCar telematics in CarNet is nowhere near the previous platforms, which is why many of the CarNet "features" that seem to exist on every other VW model are missing for the ID.4. I hope that VW will start using the WirelessCar platform in more vehicles, which might push Bosch to do more than minimum support.

 

[agzand]

ID.4 seems to use a new telematics platform from WirelessCar (who VW took over from Volvo in 2019).

What genius decided to buy a company that was dumped by Volvo? VW people don't seem to be right in the head.