[mtviewdave]

The key card still works, as I would expect. The car isn't dependent upon network infrastructure; an optional convenience is dependent upon it. You can operate a Tesla fully without installing the Tesla app.

As a comparison, my last car was a BMW. For that car, I had key fobs. I always had to take one of these key fobs in order to unlock and use the car. So going out, I would have one key with which I could operate the car.

Now, because I always carry the key card in my wallet, and I always have my phone, I always have _two_ keys with me. This isn't worse than having only one key, even if one of the keys is failing today due to an internet outage.

Essentially, I'm experiencing the worst case scenario right now, which is that I'm exactly the same situation as when I had my BMW. It's annoying (and as an iOS dev, I Have Questions on how the app came to be architected such that a network outage erases the app's settings). But I'm not worse off

[kenhwang]

Is it standard practice to carry around the keycard? Most owners I know don't bother. So this could potentially strand them unexpectedly but I suppose that's the same for any other car if you lose your keys (but at least not losing your physical keys is in your control).

[JaggedJax]

I personally carry my key card at all times. It's the size of a credit card in my wallet so it's no bother. Regardless of how good their network services could be, I would never want to depend only on my cell phone to drive. You know, the thing I own that's most likely of all things to run out of battery, break, get stolen, be out of service range. All things that would strand me.

[modeless]

I can't speak for every owner and I'm sure some don't, but I certainly carry my key card in my wallet 100% of the time. It just makes sense; what if your phone dies? You are already required to have your driver's license while driving, so it's not like you can avoid carrying cards around, and carrying one more card is not as much of a burden as a giant key fob.

[xeromal]

Yeah, they're credit card sized so I usually carry one in my wallet. Mostly to give to a valet if I need it. Some people have melted them down into fun key chain fogs. My gf has it as a ring.

[twiceaday]

I am a fan of a minimal wallet. I don't carry stuff I can do with my phone.

[xeromal]

The card is a millimeter thick. It will fit in a minimalist wallet.

[wlesieutre]

You can say that about 20 different cards individually and suddenly your minimal wallet isn't very minimal anymore

But since Tesla's app can spontaneously stop working, might be worth sucking it up and carrying the card anyway

[xeromal]

For sure, IDK if my dad broke me, but I always try to have a backup for everything. Keys included.

[polishdude20]

Wait.. people melt the cards down into shapes? And they still work?

[xeromal]

Yeah, you dissolve the plastic in a solution then take the antenna and form it into the shape you want.

[geoffpado]

> as an iOS dev, I Have Questions on how the app came to be architected such that a network outage erases the app's settings

Never storing it in the first place. Too many apps I’ve worked on have been of the opinion that being on a phone means you always have internet access, so why not eliminate cache invalidation issues by just storing all of your data on a server instead of locally?