Ideally we would have an user name for google services and therefore a path to reach for some assistance from them. The way I figured as of now, users are still on trial, so the website is not ready.

I searched around for google services under help at the google site and nothing. Funny searching for something from an originally search service for something called google services under their service list. Not confusing at all...

I'll try Vodafone as suggested as well.

Another piece of the puzzle. In the morning I let the car handshake using my home wifi. Then as I was driving away, inserted the SIM card from T-Mobile and all kept working all the way to work. On the way back, dead as usual. I have to check where the pcm connects to handshake, as you suggested...

Some pics of the screen when not working:

 

Repeated the above today and worked again. An att senior tech support has access to logs when connecting to google services, so I suspect they provide it. L
I'll know more later today

 

From PCNA: google services is provided by att and only through their SIM card. External Wifi hotspot is blocked.

So on top of their lame data plan, they expect another 155/year for google services. Now I feel CarPlay is not that bad...

It's not about the money only. The data plan from att is subpar and overpriced. I find it aggravating knowing they double dip charging for google maps.

Hopefully once iOS 10 is cracked, CarPlay might be developed into something more powerful.

Even PCM connect has traffic option into it but doesn't work in the USA

 

Hmm, well, I'm getting everything through my Verizon SIM, so either the person you spoke with at PCNA is wrong, or AT&T isn't blocking anything else. That and nor are they blocking WiFI hotspot over a longer time. I tried using my phone as a Hotspot (on Verizon) with the PCM connected to it. It remained working.

Now, there is the outside chance that there's "something" configured in the PCM or the AT&T side of the equation that's tying my PCM to the active AT&T SIM account. While I'm not using the SIM, the account for it is still active. I've not gotten any kind of answer as to whether that has to be the case or not in order for the PCM services to continue functioning.

 

To add to the confusion tier3 att tech support guaranteed me that they don't block google services. Very confusing!

 

And now att refuses to allow porting the number to Tmobile, alleging the number will use att antennas, which is a ludicrous lie as the APN on the sim will direct the signals to the T-Mobile service.

My impression of double dipping on their end, profiting from selling the data and the "google services " is stronger now. I think the number is linked to such services. From time to time works with Tmobile, which I think may be related to the frequency of handshake with the towers.

 

Interesting tidbit, looking at the FCC approval number for the pcm 4, I bumped into this: https://fccid.io/T8GA270

If you look at the pictures one will see it is the Audi MMI. I wonder if Becker made them essentially the same with some external differences.

 

Nice find.

Curious seeing the inside photos. Interesting to see Nvidia making that daughter board. Appears to be the display GPU. Can't make out what other chips are being used. Nor do I see anywhere that might accommodate a plug-in drive for the internal Jukebox.