This is one decision that I think Tesla got right and Jaguar hasn’t. I love that you can just walk up to your Model 3 with your cell phone in your pocket and everything unlocks and when you park, you just get out and walk away. As soon as your cell is out of range, the car locks. Why do I have to carry around another big clunky key? And the “activity bracelet” is a terrible solution. I would never wear that thing while on my bike, but my cell is always in my back jersey pocket. Does anyone think this could be a software upgrade in the future?
Why no cell phone key?
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I agree, the Tesla solution is cool - cell phone app and a credit-card-sized key for backup. I understand it's been highly unreliable and frustrating for a lot of customers, but I give them credit for pushing the envelope. Once they work out the kinks, it should be good. I see no value in the activity bracelet.
My expectations for future Jaguar software upgrades are very limited.
My expectations for future Jaguar software upgrades are very limited.
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Stick with the key FOB, its just more reliable, and the car senses it approaching and word every time. Also works to open the truck, with just a foot motion...
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How about when I want to open the door for my kids who are 30 feet ahead of me? This just isn't a big deal for me. I'd much rather have blind spot sensing mirrors and a proper interior.
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Same for me... There are technologies that are useful, and add value to our drive, and then there are some that are just gimmicks. The cell phone key, and card entry system Tesla chose for the Model 3, was just a cost cutting mistake, and Tesla is now in FCC testing for a Model 3 key FOB. Sometimes those guys in California try to get too cute, and create a new problem that did not exist before.
Yeah, Tesla is not yet able to make the tech work reliably. And a car key is something you really need to be reliable, so that was a mistake.
But I do like the concept. I currently carry two things in my pockets, and two would be better. :laugh:
I don’t think it’s a gimmick at all. I think it’s likely the future of where keys are going. I haven’t used a key to open my front door to my house for years. My smart lock recognizes my approach based on geo-fencing to unlock and uses Bluetooth to recognize when I am close. I like that I don’t need to carry a house key with me. Phones have Bluetooth, cellular connectivity and NFC. You shouldn’t need another chunky piece of plastic on top of that.
My dad and best friend both have Model 3s and haven’t had any issues with using their cell phones as the car key. And you should be able to unlock, open the trunk and even start the climate control from an app when your kids are 30 feet in front of you.
https://www.engadget.com/2018/06/20/digital-car-key-standard/
My dad and best friend both have Model 3s and haven’t had any issues with using their cell phones as the car key. And you should be able to unlock, open the trunk and even start the climate control from an app when your kids are 30 feet in front of you.
https://www.engadget.com/2018/06/20/digital-car-key-standard/
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Where I disagree with you is that any of those functions you mention on climate etc, the Jaguar can also do thru their app. The key card rarely works, as has been stated by Elon, Ben Sullins (teslanomics), Kim (like Tesla), Consumer Reports, Edmunds, and Tesla decided to register a key FOB for the Model 3 with the FCC.
With JLR's key fob, you approach the car and can unlock any door individually, or the trunk without removing anything from your pocket. For me, I carry mail box key, business PO Box key, wine cellar key, and a few other keys related to work. There may be a day when all of those keys are electronic, but we are not there yet. Another situation I often take short trips without my phone, just running to the store, etc... and the Tesla key card is not reliable, as the people named above can repeat to you if you search for the videos.
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I don't normally carry a cellphone, all my cars/trucks have phones built-in. You walk up to them and open the door. If there is a fob around, the doors/trunks open. The last thing I want is a car that physically opens the door as I approach. That's dumb in so many ways.
That is a bigger drawback. A car that lacks a built-in phone is pretty outdated to be honest. Even cheap cars have had them for a decade or more. My 2004 pickup came with one standard. What if you lose your phone, or it breaks? There aren't many pay phones anymore.
That is a bigger drawback. A car that lacks a built-in phone is pretty outdated to be honest. Even cheap cars have had them for a decade or more. My 2004 pickup came with one standard. What if you lose your phone, or it breaks? There aren't many pay phones anymore.
Tesla made the Model 3 keyless simply as a cost cutting measure. There have been tons of problems with it and if their network is down, like it was last week for an extended period, you could potentially be locked out of your car if you don't have the key card with you and you were logged out of the app. The jaguar app does everything for the most part the Tesla app does. The activity key is a cool feature, just leave your keyfob in the car at all times and then either wear the activity key or keep it in your bag--its pretty seamless. Problem with using the phone for the key and bluetooth, is every single time Apple, Android releases updates, it can break things like bluetooth connectivity, etc. Not the most reliable method for something you want to work 100% of the time, no questions.
My understanding is the Tesla Model 3 key works much better now, but plenty of people having problems with their car sensing their phone from the garage and repeatedly locking/unlocking the car, etc. Its hardly a robust implementation.
My understanding is the Tesla Model 3 key works much better now, but plenty of people having problems with their car sensing their phone from the garage and repeatedly locking/unlocking the car, etc. Its hardly a robust implementation.
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Jag buyers are too old to deal w/it. lol
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Exactly right, its like the self presenting doors on the Model X... Total gimmick, if you walk past the car with the key in your pocket the doors pop open, So then you have to take extra steps to turn them off, what was the point again?? Haha! Some things Tesla just make you laugh... I will take things that work correctly 100% of the time, at least for the first decade....
Just because Tesla’s implementation was not initially successful doesn’t mean the tech should be abandoned all together. If done well, it could be a very useful solution. The JLR app doesn’t allow you to lock and unlock the car if the key is inside. Why do I need to carry to stupid wrist band which probably just uses NFC like my phone would?
Bluetooth isn't exactly bleeding edge technology, I think you're mistaking Tesla's efforts to reduce costs with advancement--it would definitely be significantly less expensive to strip out the additional radio(s) and antennae in cars and replace it with just bluetooth and it could be done through JLR's existing app in very short order. The problem with bluetooth is its proximity problems, its hard for it to know if you're 3' from the car about to enter it, or you're in the kitchen near the garage door. The activity key and the Model 3's keycard are both RFID, which is extremely rugged and doesn't require batteries in the "key", so its basically the same tech, just a different spot where you unlock it--but it needs to be essentially touching the car to identify it. But the activity key is marketed towards people who don't want to carry a cell phone(nor likely a wallet), if you're surfing, running, hiking, etc. Tesla's RFID key is marketed as a back up key for the most part. NFC would definitely work better, but then the "key" would have to be a powered device which creates a lot more problems--i.e. you lose your phone, dig out your spare "key" only to discover the battery is completely dead.
https://cleantechnica.com/2018/07/2...eath-the-saga-of-the-tesla-model-3-phone-key/
Elon says the model 3 should have a better key system:
https://youtu.be/daOGwnqC-gs?t=720
https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/jaguar-land-rover-activity-key-sales-f-pace-velar-e-pace-hot/
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