New pickup

[ovrszd]

When I have a problem with my phone I hand it to a grandkid. They click a few keys at a blinding pace and hand it back usually saying "there ya go Grandpa".

 

[dnw64]

Haven't had much time to play with the new phone yet. One MAJOR advantage. I didn't have to stand out on my porch when I called my son. The new technology has vastly improved reception/transmission. I know the cell tower signal is no stronger. It now functions when I stand by the big glass doors - inside the house.

One option the iPhone has, if the carrier supports it, is "WiFi Calling". It allows you to place calls via the internet at no additional charge. There is nothing special you have to do to use it, once enabled. Here in the boondocks of Vermont it's very handy, as there are lots of places with no cell service, but as long as you have a WiFi connection it doesn't matter.

 

[Streetcar]

WiFi calling option can be bad with spotty WiFi. It is default on my phone and turn it off most of the time

 

[BigBlue1]

One feature which is quite nice related to phones is Uconnect Access. It gives you the ability to remotely lock, unlock, start, locate and sound horn on your truck from anywhere you have a cell connection (assuming your vehicle has remote start feature). It also gives you remote access to status like fuel tank level, current mileage, tire pressure and oil life. And you can send destinations from your phone to the nav system on the truck. This is great for finding something in Google Maps and then sending the address to start navigating. This feature and service is free the first year but they'll charge you for it after that. I think it is worth it.

Rob

 

[LouNY]

I used the u connect for the first year while it was free and enjoyed it.

I don't recall the exact monthly price but I'm thinking it was around $30 a month, wasn't worth that much to me, dropped it.

 

[dnw64]

WiFi calling option can be bad with spotty WiFi. It is default on my phone and turn it off most of the time

Well, yes - any wireless connection can be unreliable when you're at the limits, whether it's FM, HAM, CELL or WIFI...

I used the u connect for the first year while it was free and enjoyed it.

I don't recall the exact monthly price but I'm thinking it was around $30 a month, wasn't worth that much to me, dropped it.

When I got mine it was only $15/mo IIRC. Even at that I didn't feel it was worth it. But that's in my circumstances. The most valuable part of the package (to me) is the remote start ability. However,
my truck is parked in a "heated" (40°) garage at night, and it's within remote start distance of my office during the day. Once in a while I'd use it, say if we were at an event or something, but it just didn't seem like I was getting my money's worth. $15/mo doesn't sound like much, but over 5 years it's nearly $1000...

 

[BigBlue1]

One option the iPhone has, if the carrier supports it, is "WiFi Calling". It allows you to place calls via the internet at no additional charge. There is nothing special you have to do to use it, once enabled. Here in the boondocks of Vermont it's very handy, as there are lots of places with no cell service, but as long as you have a WiFi connection it doesn't matter.

Wi-fi calling isn't specific to iPhone. In fact, iPhones were late to the party. Had it on Android phones for at least 5+ years. Not all cell providers offered that feature in the beginning but they may now. It definitely has its use in places with spotty cell coverage. I used to rely on it when snowmobiling in the WY mountains because the place we stayed had some wi-fi but zero cell signal up on the hill.

Rob

 

[BigBlue1]

I used the u connect for the first year while it was free and enjoyed it.

I don't recall the exact monthly price but I'm thinking it was around $30 a month, wasn't worth that much to me, dropped it.

I believe it was $140/yr when they asked me to renew after my first year free on my 2500. I like it because of the remote start capability here in MN in the winter. I'm often in school gyms or other places where a keyfob remote isn't going to make it out to the parking area and it is nice to be able to start up the truck before heading out. And the ability to send an address from my phone to the nav is also a big plus. You know how painful and useless the search features on the actual nav systems in vehicles are...

Obviously it isn't useful or worth that much to everyone. But nice to have the capability. Frankly though it should just be a provided (free) feature.

Rob

 

[LouNY]

Well, yes - any wireless connection can be unreliable when you're at the limits, whether it's FM, HAM, CELL or WIFI...



When I got mine it was only $15/mo IIRC. Even at that I didn't feel it was worth it. But that's in my circumstances. The most valuable part of the package (to me) is the remote start ability. However,
my truck is parked in a "heated" (40°) garage at night, and it's within remote start distance of my office during the day. Once in a while I'd use it, say if we were at an event or something, but it just didn't seem like I was getting my money's worth. $15/mo doesn't sound like much, but over 5 years it's nearly $1000...

Just out of curiosity I went and checked, yep $15 a month or $150 a year.
It was kind of nice but not that nice.
I do pay for the Sirius radio getting that for just under $60 for 6 months, mainly as I can't find music I enjoy over the air.

 

[BigBlue1]

Just out of curiosity I went and checked, yep $15 a month or $150 a year.
It was kind of nice but not that nice.
I do pay for the Sirius radio getting that for just under $60 for 6 months, mainly as I can't find music I enjoy over the air.

You may want to look into Pandora. Use that on your phone streamed through your vehicle's audio system. Then you have much better control of what you want to listen to. You can even upgrade from the free service to a non-ad service for like $4/mo.

Rob