I figured out how to get free Audi Connect

[flyfishing]

Go here: link Buy that for 4.99. There is a freedompop trial of 1 gb a month that you can downgrade anytime. It's kinda tricky how to downgrade, but it is in account settings and gives you 200 mb a month after downgrade FOR FREE AND FOREVER!

I bought 2 of these so I have 400 a month data. When you get it, the default settings will not work. You need to read the package it comes in to change the APN in Audi. It's something like freedompopmobile.foggmobile.com (or something like that). Also enable data roaming. Then it will work and you will have Audi Connect for FREE.

BTW, if you are interested in getting more free data, PM me and I can invite you I believe so that you get more free data when you sign up. I just leave the extra sim in my center console and swap them out if it runs out. From what I've read it is like 80 mb to cache a map on google earth. I don't use the google earth function and just use the Audi Connect and it doesn't eat much data.

[jpjmustang]

I just picked up a 3.0T and looked under the hood - there is a lot there

Im used to my 2003 and 2006

would it be worth signing up for a little help?

T

[hinckley]

I don't use the google earth function and just use the Audi Connect and it doesn't eat much data.

flyfishing, I'm less than two weeks into C7 ownership and Audi Connect is pretty much the only thing I haven't got my head around. I'm not using Google Earth either. What else is Audi Connect good for (other than the weather, parking and news widgets that I see in the MMI menu)?

[flyfishing]

nada, pretty much what you said. i haven't used google earth, but maybe gives you better and more accurate navigation b/c of updated maps.

i just like all functions of a car to work even if i don't use it often. i did not want to pay another data plan and this is an easy and free way to do it.

[bonafyd]

Google earth is actual 3D maps used for the navigation.. It's pretty sick.

[flyfishing]

Google earth is actual 3D maps used for the navigation.. It's pretty sick.

do you use it all the time? how much data does it eat?

[hinckley]

Google earth is actual 3D maps used for the navigation.. It's pretty sick.

I don't think that's quite correct. I'm pretty sure that when using Google Earth, what you have is Audi's standard maps overlaid on top of Google Earth images. I've gone back and forth with the Google images, and they're certainly cool. But for me, after you get over the initial wow factor, it's easier to actually read the map without them.

[chucky0731]

Go here: link Buy that for 4.99. There is a freedompop trial of 1 gb a month that you can downgrade anytime. It's kinda tricky how to downgrade, but it is in account settings and gives you 200 mb a month after downgrade FOR FREE AND FOREVER!

I checked it out...few questions.

It looks like its only 3G speed and no 4G speed?

How's the reception? I hear these 3rd party companies usually have very slow speed and poor reception making the SIM cards pretty frustrating to use.

And this will work on the 2016's?

[mbk2017]

I don't think that's quite correct. I'm pretty sure that when using Google Earth, what you have is Audi's standard maps overlaid on top of Google Earth images. I've gone back and forth with the Google images, and they're certainly cool. But for me, after you get over the initial wow factor, it's easier to actually read the map without them.

I agree, Google Earth is really more of a distraction while driving. Great while looking at a tablet or PC, but not so much on the road. I took a spin in a new A4 and I have to say the map between the dials is also a bit much. I'm a huge geek but I think car makers are trying too hard to make your car a rolling computer.

[flyfishing]

i only get 2g with my s7 b/c its 2013 so that's all i know.

[bonafyd]

do you use it all the time? how much data does it eat?

I have ATT unlimited data plan which i've had for years..

I don't think that's quite correct. I'm pretty sure that when using Google Earth, what you have is Audi's standard maps overlaid on top of Google Earth images. I've gone back and forth with the Google images, and they're certainly cool. But for me, after you get over the initial wow factor, it's easier to actually read the map without them.

I'm pretty sure google maps are different from Audi maps.. if that wasn't the case then there wouldn't be a need for a data plan.
without audi connect and a 3g/4g LTE signal google maps won't work whereas standard audi maps pre installed in the car will work without need of any signal.

I agree, Google Earth is really more of a distraction while driving. Great while looking at a tablet or PC, but not so much on the road. I took a spin in a new A4 and I have to say the map between the dials is also a bit much. I'm a huge geek but I think car makers are trying too hard to make your car a rolling computer.

I agree and i'm a self proclaimed techie but it's cool still imo.. to be honest i keep my screen down 99% of the time anyway.

[flyfishing]

3.99 now.

link

pm me to get more free data.

[hinckley]

I'm pretty sure google maps are different from Audi maps.. if that wasn't the case then there wouldn't be a need for a data plan.
without audi connect and a 3g/4g LTE signal google maps won't work whereas standard audi maps pre installed in the car will work without need of any signal.

Google Maps are different from Audi's maps, however MMI's Google function is not Google Maps. It's Google Earth. Google Earth is just images that are streamed to the car, hence the need for a data plan.

[bonafyd]

Google Maps are different from Audi's maps, however MMI's Google function is not Google Maps. It's Google Earth. Google Earth is just images that are streamed to the car, hence the need for a data plan.

Okay bro

[squarefoot]

Has anyone been having trouble lately with sending addresses via google maps to their car? If you are not aware, you can link your google account to your car and send addresses on google maps to your navigation system. That being said, it had been working perfectly up to a couple of weeks ago. Now, using google maps on my computer, I can only send business addresses, not residential house addresses. Anyone else running into this?

[fatboydelights]

Has anyone been having trouble lately with sending addresses via google maps to their car? If you are not aware, you can link your google account to your car and send addresses on google maps to your navigation system. That being said, it had been working perfectly up to a couple of weeks ago. Now, using google maps on my computer, I can only send business addresses, not residential house addresses. Anyone else running into this?

Can you only send if Audi connect is setup?

[_SILENCER]

I don't have Audi Connect, but periodically the traffic density data and road incident warnings are available through the Nav. It lasts for a few days, then it vanishes. It's happened twice so far in six months. very odd.


2012 A6

[flyfishing]

OK my traffic disappeared. Turns out you need to subscribe to traffic info with sirius to get traffic. I just had music selected after my trial expired. Oh well, I use google maps anyway...

[zcd2.7t]

FWIW, anyone who has only a 2G connection in their 2013/2014 is eligible to have Audi update their radio receiver to 3G for free - just ask your dealer. I upgraded mine, but in the end don't really use it that much because I've gotten so used to 4G/LTE with my phone that I'm too impatient to wait for things to download on 3G! :-)

And before anyone asks again, no, it's not really possible/practical to upgrade to a 4G/LTE radio receiver in cars that didn't originally include it.

Net/net, I use my unlimited data plan with my phone for pretty much everything. The only thing I use the car's connection for is Google Maps, once in a while. I use a $10/month T-Mobile SIM card for that...

[hinckley]

So a bit OT . . .

I just spent about three hours getting my Audi Connect services set up and I'm really blown away. It's absolute sh*t in my mind. If you don't care about the Google Earth function, there's nothing that's interesting that isn't easier to just do with your smart phone connected via Bluetooth. To make it worse, my dealership's "tech expert" knew next to nothing and so I ended up spending quite a bit of time with Audi's tech support via online chat. Google Send to Car is a PIA to set up and the Audi Connect manual has it all wrong. Once I did get it set up, it didn't work (maybe a Google issue per squarefoot's post above). However, I did manage to send locations to the car via the myAudi site. But all the talk about remote car status, locking/unlocking, remote heating and A/C isn't and likely won't be available for our cars (it apparently is for the MY17 Q7 and A4).

Audi Connect is a complete FAIL imo. It's very disappointing and way behind what BMW has had available for a few years now.

[flyfishing]

THanks for the reminder about 3g upgrade. My service tech said they should be able to upgrade it for me. Boom gotta get it done before warranty ends