[roscoetuff]

So this morning I received notice that Car-net wanted to update. The update listed the features it wanted to add, so I pushed UPDATE. Gee... of course I'd like to be able to use my phone instead of a key fob. What'd it produce?

For the ID.4,Car-net basically allows no more and no less than 3 functions: 1) Battery charge status; 2) Climate info; and 3) Charging Stations nearby. Big whup. They ought to rename Car-net "Hairnet for VW ID.4" or LAMEnet. Yes, it is about that dated. When's the last time you saw a hairnet worn among foodservice folks? Maybe.... I dunno.... 1970? If I hadn't checked the screen on my iPhone Car-net since 1970, I'd have basically missed n-o-t-h-i-n-g. Car-net is an app chasing... okay NOT chasing... to find a function. Why bother to have one if all the functionality applies ONLY to VW's ICE vehicles? Is the point trying to dumb an EV down to appear to require even less tech than an ICE vehicle? Why?

Sooooooooooo.... when it comes to wondering about the OTA update for this car, I'm basically where some have pointed: Get over it. It won't make a difference. Just like the Car-net update, it is better to expect that any update of the car's core software will basically deliver zero, zip, nada. If instead we find something more, then fine. Let it be a positive surprise. High expectations?

Then there's this notice from somewhere:

"Awwww...you vant vat? But... did you buy a Tesla? No? Right. You got good price, right? Dah! And now you blame VW for demonstrating failed American mind? Yes, is small, but indecisive, right? And you confessed California cutting edge tech as lacking.... true? You wanted teutonic accents? Bavarian edge, German arrogance and design, right? Badge and uniform? Ha! We add all these... and is great!

But now what? As customer... you remind us of mistake of nature? Nah. VW lacks nothing! Nothing! Software? Drivers! Kernels not colonels? Upgrade core not corps? Dah! Hard to keep straight, but we fortify program and engineer excellence... yet you see nothing. But much is underway.

Americans think we can upgrade clumsy mush minded retreating industrial defects with our genius OTA? Excellent.... yes, it's true! Think more this way! Is good for superior will to replace your weak, defective thoughts! Let the promise of greater teutonic tech crush your expectations! For now... NOTHING! Tomorrow... Dah! It farhts! Can we care what you want if our plan will perish your punishing despair? Teutonic OTA will invade your car only when ready. Be patient! Let our blitzkreig of upgrades surprise and supremely vanquish all disappointment!"

 

[Tinman]

I wonder how much coding is going into the 2.3 update to make sure Americans don't see "WeConnect" anywhere?

 

[DSC]

I'm not sure why this was done, when I was watching some Youtube videos pre my ID.4 purchase, I saw some videos on the WeConnect and they had some really good features. I don't understand why VW decided to water down this functionality and give us Car-Net in pace of WeConnect.

It's also important to note that because this forum, I learned about the difference between Car-Net and WeConnect but I still made a conscious decision to get the ID.4. I think it's still the most bang for your buck EV given the federal and local incentives.

With that said, I've used Car-Net like maybe once or twice to get the "Clima" going on a hot day as I walked back to the car. It's definitely a "meh" app at the moment, but still love the car.

 

[KB57]

I'm not sure why this was done, when I was watching some Youtube videos pre my ID.4 purchase, I saw some videos on the WeConnect and they had some really good features. I don't understand why VW decided to water down this functionality and give us Car-Net in pace of WeConnect.

It's also important to note that because this forum, I learned about the difference between Car-Net and WeConnect but I still made a conscious decision to get the ID.4. I think it's still the most bang for your buck EV given the federal and local incentives.

With that said, I've used Car-Net like maybe once or twice to get the "Clima" going on a hot day as I walked back to the car. It's definitely a "meh" app at the moment, but still love the car.

Wow, Mr. Negative. If you don’t like the car or carnet or the fact that it has OTA, sell it and go back to a 1977 Pinto. “Old school”

 

[Froggy]

Well I use it to remotely monitor my charging and to turn on the AC on hot days. About the only useful items that I have found.

 

[DSC]

Wow, Mr. Negative. If you don’t like the car or carnet or the fact that it has OTA, sell it and go back to a 1977 Pinto. “Old school”

Not being negative here at all. I still think the car itself is great and would make the same decision on getting it hindsight, and that's what I mentioned in my original post, looks like you may have not read it. That being said, the Car-Net app is gimped compared to WeConnect. The functionality is there so wondering why the US market gets a watered down app

 

[Nai3t]

... the Car-Net app is gimped compared to WeConnect. The functionality is there so wondering why the US market gets a watered down app

... or why the ID.4 features in Car Net are neutered compared to what other North American VW models have access to.

 

[surprising]

... or why the ID.4 features in Car Net are neutered compared to what other North American VW models have access to.

I wonder if the ID.4s have alternate microprocessors due to chip shortage and VW hasn't written all the SW yet for the new chips..

 

[KB57]

Not being negative here at all. I still think the car itself is great and would make the same decision on getting it hindsight, and that's what I mentioned in my original post, looks like you may have not read it. That being said, the Car-Net app is gimped compared to WeConnect. The functionality is there so wondering why the US market gets a watered down app

Sorry

 

[Nai3t]

I wonder if the ID.4s have alternate microprocessors due to chip shortage and VW hasn't written all the SW yet for the new chips..

I can only speculate, but I find that unlikely. All of those missing features remain functional in our vehicles, just not through the app. Lock/unlock, alarm are pretty simple single instruction commands compared to changing cabin climitazation temperature and changing battery SOC cut off percent or communicating back time remaining until full. I mean, the car is not just a computer on wheels, it's a literal network of computers. With everything else functional, I can't imagine theres a missing or changed module that would prevent a door from being unlocked via telematics.

But again, just speculating.

 

[Ray Noneya]

I took it off my phone don't see any use for it. Besides they are spying on you!!

 

[roscoetuff]

KB57: I suppose you meant to direct your over-reaction at my original comments. Fair?

The reason for the complaint is simple: Car-net updated the app and is delivering comparatively TONS of features now. But after upgrading the app on my iPhone, none of these capabilities are available. I simply do NOT understand why VW wants to make a relatively great car in the ID.4 and then handicap it with 1) underwhelming infotainment system (buttons?) and 2) Car-net where they don't deliver half the features available on VW's other cars. This makes no sense. If you think that is a criticism of the car, then you need to read again. The car is great. The electronics - universally not even close to standards of their ICE cars. What gives?

There are decisions here, VW's software group is making them, and the logic escapes me. There's a theory that VW reads this forum, and if that's true, I want to do what I can to grab their attention. Every time I see an update, I keep thinking, "At last.... they've responded and we're going to get this car's electronic brains to work they way they should have at delivery...months ago." I don't know why I bother. Clearly.... the two guys working on this are overwhelmed between pizza orders, nintendo and Olympic soccer. Sure would hate for them to have to put time into putting the same functionality into the EV's that they've delivered to their ICE.

 

[gvvdc]

Comparing Car-Net of my ID4 to Hyundai BlueLink of my Ioniq EV there are some things missing in Car-Net, but not super exciting (lock/unlock, flashlights, horn, read vehicle status). In the year and a half that I have had the Hyundai the only two things I have used their app for have been: check the battery level when is charging and start the climate, which Car-Net can currently do.

It sounds there are other more exciting features from other models/manufacturers I am missing. What functions would make Car-Net not lame?

As a separate random thought, maybe fewer features in the US come from the legal side of things? Their Cyber liability insurance in the US needs to cover the new model and they haven't straightened out that yet? For things like unlocking doors remotely?

 

[Mike Bouck]

Car-Net is VW of America's app - not VW corporate's. VW tends to push a lot of autonomy to their various regional offices (on the premise that they know best about that particular market). In the case of the US, VW of America made the call to use their own Car-Net app in lieu of corporate's We Connect app. We can only speculate as to their motivations but my guess is that VW of America wanted more control over the customer experience in their region. I agree Car-Net sucks but the ire here should be directed at the right target which is VW of America and, in particular, the E-Mobility and Innovation division.

 

[Nai3t]

I find these basics useful.

My BMW app lets me unlock doors, a feature I use frequently.

But in the BMW , I can't stop or start charging, and I can't set a cut-off percent, so VW has the upper hand there.

I can adjust my departure timer for cabin climitazation and battery conditioning in the BMW, but I can't adjust the cabin temp like I can in VW. In that regard, I prefer the BMW's features.

BMW recently added charge history and will even estimate my charging costs based on pricing I enter. Neat, but for me not particularly useful.

 

[roscoetuff]

Sure. Ire to VW America, but let's get the other thing right: They just made all kinds of functional upgrades for all the other vehicles in VW's fleet, but skipped the VW ID4. So clearly they have no problem with making these features available. They're skipping ONLY the VW ID4. Why? How can they have liability on the ID4 but not on the other vehicles? Makes no sense, and kind of shoots that whole line of reasoning.

 

[plh]

I'm wondering if we'll get more Car-Net features with some future firmware update for the car. We can always hope!

 

[Mike Bouck]

Sure. Ire to VW America, but let's get the other thing right: They just made all kinds of functional upgrades for all the other vehicles in VW's fleet, but skipped the VW ID4. Huh?

Yeah - not sure why. But, again, E-Mobility division of VW America is the place to ask.

Dustin Krause
Director of e-Mobility
Volkswagen of America
[email protected]

 

[adamjcook]

Car-Net is VW of America's app - not VW corporate's. VW tends to push a lot of autonomy to their various regional offices (on the premise that they know best about that particular market). In the case of the US, VW of America made the call to use their own Car-Net app in lieu of corporate's We Connect app. We can only speculate as to their motivations but my guess is that VW of America wanted more control over the customer experience in their region. I agree Car-Net sucks but the ire here should be directed at the right target which is VW of America and, in particular, the E-Mobility and Innovation division.

Part of me wonders if an app consolidation (WeConnect, Car-Net and whatever Audi/Porsche is using and possibly some form of Electrify America app integration) is in the cards in the long-term given the fact that, presumably, VW is making this big push to consolidate their software expertise internally (which I feel is healthy). That and their broader goals of platform unifications and renewed US market focus.

If I were in VW's management, I would see "the app" as a natural, relatively low-effort step in just moving all of their EVs over.

As an aside, I am personally willing to give it time as there are enormous safety risks in moving too quickly, but I will acknowledge other's frustrations of course. VW has made highly ambitious overtures of becoming a software-first organization (which I think is healthy) and I get the impression that VW feels that lasting consumer confidence is on the line here on how close they can make the E3 1.0 platform to the upcoming E3 1.1 platform in or around 2023.

We shall see.

Sincerely,

Adam J. Cook

 

[adamjcook]

Yeah - not sure why. But, again, E-Mobility division of VW America is the place to ask.

Dustin Krause
Director of e-Mobility
Volkswagen of America
[email protected]

I think Dustin was a former Tesla employee, no?

This is a good call as from his last public appearance (IIRC, with Kyle Conner from Out Of Spec Studios), Dustin seemed very receptive and engaged.

I will send a note also.

Sincerely,

Adam J. Cook