[MrSwede]

To follow up on the previous Wifi question in my Cabin Heater posting, I did find out via Googling "Kia UVO Wifi" that this doesn't seem to be very useful unless you have the need to use Yelp while sitting in your garage!? A Tesla, these aren't!...

(I would have posted web site links with more info, but apparently I'm considered a newbie on the forum with too few postings to merit trusting my link sharings - ugh!)

 

[MrSwede]

Optima PHEV has it!

Bingo! Looks like the new Optima PHEV has some cool connectivity features:
(From Optima PHEV news release)

"UVO EV Services includes LTE wireless connectivity that enables direct communication to the vehicle for features such as remote start/stop, remote preconditioning of cabin temperature, and remote lock/unlock via the UVO app5. Included in the app is a full suite of My Car Zone features, which includes curfew and speed alerts and Geofence settings, as well as Local Search powered by Google® 6, which allows users to easily search for POIs (Points of Interest).

Exclusive EV features for charging convenience include the ability to locate charging stations, an option to check your vehicle’s charge status, as well as scheduling charge events. Adding hands- free connectivity is Google® Voice Recognition Local Search, which can search for POIs utilizing voice recognition technology. Additionally, within the Kia App Store, apps can be downloaded to the head- unit using the PHEV’s Wi-Fi capability.

Available at no cost for the first three years of ownership with no subscription necessary, UVO EV Services utilizes an embedded connectivity solution powered by the Verizon®7 network and the UVO smartphone app to provide Optima Plug-In Hybrid owners with an innovative, real-time, in- vehicle connectivity experience."

Looks like we can look forward to something similar in the Niro PHEV!?...