BMW to charge for heated seats?

[bjl584]

https://www.theverge.com/2022/7/12/23204950/bmw-subscriptions-microtransactions-heated-seats-feature

There is some conflicting reports as to how this would actually work, but it brings up an interesting concept.
DLC (downloadable content) is popular in the world of computer gaming.
You can pay for a download and load new characters or levels into your game.
But, this is something fairly new in the automotive industry.
Your car will be equipped with all the available bells and whistles, but you will need to pay to access them.
Either up front or as part of a monthly subscription.

[kork13]

It's a blight to the gaming community, and would be no different in any other application. Great way for the company to make a boatload of money, but dangerous for the users who spend that boatload, whether by intention or inattention.

It makes even less sense for a carmaker, because it means they have to install the necessary hardware on all cars regardless of if the owner will use them, which increases their hardware costs without the assurance of seeing any money for it. If it's something truly software defined, like a different UI on the stereo system, then fine. But seat warmers, speakers for race car noises, etc ... That's all extra costs involved.

[disneysteve]

I read about this elsewhere. I suppose it's a natural progression as cars have become rolling computers. Years ago, if you wanted new software for your computer, you went to the store, bought the disc, came home and installed it and had it for as long as the computer lasted. Now, many computers don't even have disc drives. If you want new software, you subscribe and pay a monthly or annual fee indefinitely. Car manufacturers have started to test out the same business model. I think it's an awful idea and will choose not to participate. Owning a car is expensive enough without tacking on extra monthly fees for satellite radio or heated seats or whatever else they think to monetize in that way.