What is the RFA module? My understanding is current version Intelligent Access antennas plug right into the BCM? And they definitely don’t even use the same frequency band as NFC. I don’t know much about the the Lincoln PAAK, but I always assumed it used the Bluetooth chipset in the APIM.

 

It does use bluetooth, but i think the RFA Module it is wanting has the bluetooth that it needs to connect. I will look into it more and see if thats something that I can add.

 

Riiiight....no app is needed......except the built in WALLET APP that is part of your Iphone?

I said similar "functionality", ie. you walk up to the vehicle and are able to enter it and start it with only having your phone and not the key. No, it is not exactly the same as NFC with an "Apple key", but I would argue that it is better as any Android or Iphone capable of running the Fordpass (if they added it to Ford vehicles) or Lincoln way app can make use of the feature.

 

Apple can keep their proprietary crap. If the only smart phone you've ever used is an iPhone, then you're a lemming.

 

I remember when Facetime first came out and a couple of my friends said If you get an Iphone you could Facetime too. I said thats ok I can Skype with everyone else in the world

 

Exactly. Skype, Zoom, Teams, WhatsApp, Messenger, Google Meet, and the list goes on. Only Facetime is Apple proprietary. They can keep it.

 

I used to think Apple was full of mularkey too. Then I became dissatisfied with my other device and tried an iPhone. It was good. Then I became dissatisfied with windows and tried a Mac. It was good. Then I decided to get a tablet and tried an iPad. It was really good.

Then I realized that while each device is good to very good, the synergies of the ecosystem make it extraordinary. They all play together exceptionally well.

The Apple v. Android debate is tired. Both are perfectly fine. Everybody has different preferences. I’m glad we have both because they each keep the other honest

Facetime in and of itself is nothing special except for the fact it’s seamless within the iPhone phone app. Almost everyone in my personal sphere that I would want to Zoom, Skype, etc. has an iPhone. So, FaceTime works really well.

 

The technology for the Apple key isn't that hard or a big deal. It's just NFC so Android phones theoretically should be able to offer the same thing since they had NFC long before Apple. For instance lots of hotels have been doing virtual keys for a while now. What Apple offers that Android doesn't is more privacy and security which is why automakers are going with Apple.

This is how Apple Pay is different than Google Pay or Samsung Pay even though they work the same way with NFC. In Google Pay you scan your card and the card info is sent to Google's servers. Google saves this info on their servers sends a virtual card to your phone so vendors never get the real card's information. But they send the real card number to the bank to make the actual purchase. Google/Samsung can track all of your purchases since they have the real card's info. This is how it works with any card and even reward cards or gift cards can be used. Apple is different and more complicated and only bank issued cards can be used. When you scan a card to your iPhone Apple contacts the bank for authorization and the bank will send confirmation and a device specific account number different than your actual credit card info to your device. Only this account number is sent to merchants and it's only stored on your device, Apple doesn't have any of it stored on their servers. Your phone becomes a bank issued credit card and all purchases are between you and the bank just like the real thing, Apple isn't involved at all.

I typed all that to show that Apple key works in a similar fashion. You have to have an account setup with the manufacturer for that car (Ford Pass), just like a credit card with the bank. Then when you setup car key the car itself will issue a key to your device and pair with it. The key is stored on the device only and Apple isn't involved nor has any information sent to them. The phone can then send a key to your Apple Watch. What's interesting is that Apple Car key only works with iPhones using the A12 chip or newer so they must have more robust security hardware. The best part is you can share the key with other people who have iPhones via iMessage so you can send the key to a friend to pick up the car from the airport for instance. They cannot duplicate it or share it with anyone and you can revoke their key at any time.

 

That's really good info, I feel all caught up without having to scan lengthy articles. I found the info on Samsung/google pay interesting, it makes it sound like without a data/wifi connection you can't use samsung pay because it cannot relay the real card info to the bank. But it works in airplane mode (I've done it). This sure seems like it would be an easy scam if you are over your credit limit yet continue making purchases by going in airplane mode! Just thinking out loud here of a security gap.

I think earlier in the thread it was mentioned recent fordpass uses BLE now. That would at least be a step up from my 2017 where the lag on Fordpass (open the app, pull up your vehicle info, hold the unlock, then wait for satellite communication) is at least a 30 second process. Plus it doesn't work in a concrete parking garage. BLE class 1 (10 meter range) would be a great option especially for keyless start trims, so you'd never have to fumble for keys and I usually have my phone out to get ready to plug into the charger once I sit down. Apple Key also sounds cool but tap to unlock would only be about 2 seconds faster than 5 digit keypad, though the key sharing feature would be nice (if I ever trust anyone to drive my baby).