alt Hacker NewsThere are use cases: you want to give a family member some item. They're at work and in a meeting. Get them to remote unlock their car and place the item in it. But really I think it's an extension of remote start which is very necessary in cold climates.
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> remote start which is very necessary in cold climates
Not just necessary, but very necessary? I understand it's convenient, but I think you've overstated it a bit. You can always start your car and then go back in the house for a few.
We used (until Subaru said 'fuck you, pay us') the mobile access so that I could unlock my family member's vehicle when I rode along with them or remote start it ahead of them while we're out and about. It's nice to be able to get back into the car and sit and wait without having to grab the key out of their purse.
They hook a lot of people now with the first couple years free, then spin around and go for a $150+ a year whammy. We gave up.
That's a pretty big stretch to me, especially since key fobs can usually unlock a door from across the parking lot without even leaving the building.
I live in a cold climate. Remote start isn't even necessary much less very necessary. I start the car, then clean off all the snow and leave. Running the engine isn't going to remove a foot of snow off the windshield and it definitely won't off the roof or hood.
Regardless remote starters do not need the web or a phone, they existed in the 1990s.