What does Audi Connect provide?
 

My Audi Connect contract is about to expire. I know that with Audi Connect you get Google maps, wifi hotspot, and the ability to send destinations to your MMI/Navigation. Is there anything else? Does Google maps keep your navigation up to date or do you still need to buy map updates? Sorry, but not sure $15 a month is worth it for Google maps pictures, and the ability to send destinations. Have a decent smartphone with LTE service and hotspot capability, so not sure I am sold on the value of the Audi Connect at that price.

Anyone have a good reason to pay that $15 a month?

and the wifi streaming is only 2g....

Google maps does not keep your navigation up to date. I just renewed my Audi Connect for 30 months simply because I like the integration of the technology and for $15/month, it seems like chump change when you've already spent $50-60k+ car.

+1

I think google also provides the traffic congestion overlay, which adds red, yellow, etc to roads and highways. If I'm not mistaken SiriusXM only provides discrete info, like accidents, construction and closures. Personally I'll buy the 30 month package when the trial expires; it's easily worth $15 a month to me. And the ability to send destinations to the car directly from google maps is incredibly useful IMO. I use it more or less every time I go someplace unfamiliar.

Actually, all traffic data and overlays are provided by Sirius. Four year traffic subscription is included free with 2013+ Audis with MMI Nav Plus and $4 per month thereafter.

While smartphones these days can provide just about anything Audi Connect offers, there's something to be said for having the features and safety of use integrated completely into the car and its large MMI screen. The integrated online Google searches activated by voice command alone are worth the cost to me - the rest is gravy.

I personally don't see the value in it. 60k on a car or not, I see the value in the car, just not the t-mobile / audi connect portion. I do like the send address to car feature, but it's not worth $15 per month to me.

Although if it were LTE I may see the value in it. I can currently tether to my iPad or phone lte.

Sorry for the second post, couldn't figure out how to edit ok the phone app.

Interesting, because the congestion overlay in the MMI display is identical to the one on maps.google.com. Perhaps they both actually use the exact same data. (I.e., some whitelabel like inrix.)