Connected Services can be accessed through the vehicle, smartphone or computer.
Subaru of America says it has enrolled the one-millionth subscriber into Starlink Connected Services. Subscription-based services are part of Subaru’s In-Vehicle Technology program that with variations is increasingly offered by other automakers in hopes of generating revenue.
The Subaru system claims to provide multimedia content, smartphone connectivity, navigation, extra safety, and everyday convenience. Looming as these systems increase are privacy and security concerns as well as the re-selling of customer data, which critics argue the customer owns.
Subaru Connected Services has three packages. Starlink Safety Plus package includes Automatic Collision Notification, SOS emergency assistance, enhanced roadside assistance, maintenance notifications, monthly vehicle health report and diagnostic alerts (3-year free subscription). Starlink Safety Plus & Security Plus package adds remote engine start with climate control and heated seats when they are fitted, stolen vehicle recovery service, vehicle security alarm notification, remote lock/unlock, remote horn and lights; remote vehicle locator and parenting features including boundary, speed and curfew alerts. The Starlink Concierge package adds in-vehicle assistance with restaurant and hotel reservations, purchasing tickets for sporting/theater events and scheduling service appointments. All Connected Services can be accessed through the owner’s vehicle, smartphone or computer.
Starlink Connected Services also has – exclusive to Crosstrek Hybrid – Remote Climate Control and Remote Battery Charging Timer. The vehicle’s climate control can automatically function without starting the engine, so it can warm up or cool down, even when garaged. The Remote Battery Charging Timer allows a user to manage the vehicle charging schedule and monitor its status. These features are included in the Hybrid’s free 10-year subscription to the Safety and Security Plus package.
All Subaru models come standard with a multimedia system with high-resolution touchscreens; smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming connectivity; voice activated controls for phone and AM/FM stereo. Multimedia systems on higher trim levels include; SiriusXM All-Access Radio and SiriusXM Travel Link (4-month free subscription); over-the-air updates, Wi-Fi hotspot capability (subscription required), and HD Radio. The top-of-the-line systems with navigation add voice-activated navigation powered by TomTom (3-year free over-the-air map updates) and SiriusXM Traffic (3-year free subscription) and SiriusXM Travel Link (upgraded to 3-year free subscription).
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Linda Lee works for the US Census Bureau – AutoCrat
“You have probably received unsolicited emails, texts and telephone calls. Ever wonder how you ended up on these lists? The answer is simple: Everything you touch can turn into data that help businesses and individuals increase their reach to consumers. Consumer information from shopping patterns to spending habits is precious information that businesses constantly collect. The Census Bureau recognized the surge in use of technology-related information and has responded. For the first time, the Annual Business Survey (ABS) recently released its Digital Technology Module that provides readily accessible statistics on the digital share of business activity. While the ABS collects and maintains a core data set, the Digital Technology Module rotates data on different topics every year.
The 2018 module, for example, provides 2017 data on digital technology and automation technology. Those topics won’t be covered again until they’re back in rotation in 2021.
How Is Digital Data Used?
The survey shows that businesses in many sectors of the economy collect data that fall in different categories:
personal and financial information, customer feedback, marketing and supply chain information, production and other miscellaneous information.
The data show not just how firms collect and store the information but also what they use it for. Take food service establishments and bars that provide incentives such as meal discounts when customers fill out short, online surveys via links displayed at the bottom of sales receipts.
How do these businesses store and manage feedback to “How are we doing?” surveys? According to the ABS, approximately 26.2% of food service and drinking establishments did not collect customer feedback but those that did were more likely to store the information in non-digital formats. About 10.6% kept all customer feedback in digital storage, 11.2% stored more than half of it digitally and 10.0% retained up to 50% in digital format.”