The keyfob is super-useful. It fits perfectly into that small jeans pocket (that was originally meant for watches), so you can trigger the trunk/frunk opening without taking the fob (or phone) out.
I was burned by this change. I don’t know if anyone at Chamberlain is reading this, but you guys have neighbors, users just wanna keep their home safe. You’re one TikTok away from a crisis when you do stuff that is anti-consumer.
Premium users pay $300 to replace the fob on their Model S / Model X. Mid users pay $175 to replace the fob on the Model 3 / Model Y. And an entry level option exists for the cards. Plus programming fee. Handling fee. Local taxes. Processing fee. Etc :-)
Without control of their PKI anyone could self program a replacement for a few dollars as is the case with the garage door market.
As an aside, I find the fob useful for booting the car up prior to getting in, rather than waiting 40 seconds before the fly-by-wire shifter starts responding to commands to put it in gear.
Cards are $20. No programming fee, no handling fee, no processing fee. Yes, there are taxes and yes shipping things generally costs money. Users program keys themselves.
> As an aside, I find the fob useful for booting the car up prior to getting in, rather than waiting 40 seconds before the fly-by-wire shifter starts responding to commands to put it in gear.
Keys are for valet and I keep mine in my glove box. The car boots up almost instantly.
Swap in a more traditional automaker, and your point remains correct.