pantone availability

I just upgraded to the latest version of Pantone Connect, and even though Pantone states the basic version (which includes color data info and add to swatch panels) is free, I could not get at the basic features in the new version without first signing up for the 30 day full feature free trial with a credit card. It isn’t clear if the free basic features will be available when I opt out of the full version at the end of the trial, but Pantone does say the color data and swatch features will be free.

Also, the new version fixes the Bridge Library bug where Bridge swatches were added as Lab Spot colors rather than the listed CMYK process color. Pantone now publishes the expected press conditions for their Bridge CMYK simulations:

https://www.pantone.com/color-bridge-guide-set-coated-uncoated

If the destination press is not printing to the Pantone specs, a better option might be to make a color managed conversion from the Solid ink Pantone Lab values to the destination CMYK profile in InDesign, or set the Color Type to Process and let the conversion happen at Export or output.

If printing in an actual spot color, one could simply make their own spot swatch. Just make it look as close as possible for proofing purposes, but a spot is a spot. (This is assuming on has the proper guides to go by.)

The same is true for on-screen colors--it really doesn't matter as long as the color looks good on screen. Since one doesn't know if the viewers' monitors are calibrated/profiled, you can't expect the color to be displayed accurately for them.

For me, the biggest issue is using the CMYK breakdowns, which generally are only reasonably accurate for 30-50% of the solid colors anyway. However, the numbers change as printing devices become more accurate. 

What's wrong with Swatches | New Swatch | Spot | [choose any Pantone color mode] ?