Always nice to get new features albeit a paid service. Hopefully this will gain traction so they can invest in other improvements to infotainment. I wish car infotainment systems were similar to how you set up a smart home. Find a hub that caters to the unique stack of apps you like and make the hub compatible with the vehicle. That would be worth $150/year

 

So that I understand this correctly, I have to pay Rivian $150 a year so that I could listen to either audible or Apple Music? Separately, I still have to pay Apple Music or audible. Why would I just not Bluetooth that directly since I pay for one or the other? Also, we are in a mixed universe with both Alexa and Apple devices. So, we pay for unlimited Amazon Music, which I can just request Alexa to play on the Rivian.

 

I'm really pissed off about this. I bought my car before Connect+ existed. Now that the trial ended, I can no longer access Spotify from the in car App. Not smart to take something away, that was available at the time of purchase, Love my car, but this caused me to cancel my RS2 reservation in protest.

 

I am an unrepentant R1T fanboy, have 2, but charging a paid subscription to allow me to stream my paid subscriptions? Good lawd, no bueno.

A successful re-imagining of the American pickup truck shouldn’t include a monthly shakedown imo.
.//A.

 

I am an unrepentant R1T fanboy, have 2, but charging a paid subscription to allow me to stream my paid subscriptions? Good lawd, no bueno.

A successful re-imagining of the American pickup truck shouldn’t include a monthly shakedown imo.
.//A.

No automaker offers free unlimited LTE data. It’s unrealistic to expect free data.

Every automaker charges subscription fees for connectivity and access to data/apps/features. Most charge a lot more than Rivian for fewer features.

 

I suspect when the Apple CEO came calling, he did an under the table deal to get this in the car. I quit Pandora to get Spotify now I go to Apple Music; NOPE!

 

Think of Connect+ as basically paying for a hot spot which allows you to use the other services, that is essentially what it is. I don't like it, but it is nice to have, and the kids can keep using their tablets and kindles when we travel so it is worth it to me. That said, I will probably drop my Spotify subscription now and switch to Apple Music so I can bundle it with icloud and Apple TV (which I already use and pay for) to save a couple $ a month.

 

Were we not already paying for the wireless hotspot? I thought Rivian got rid of the free wireless hotspot after a period of time? I would pay the $150 just so my kids could use their tablets while on long drives and trips. The other stuff - ho hum, but I need to figure out if it is worth getting apple one. I use the 2 TB cloud and Apple fitness already. I recently have started reading Apple news as well. So, I am close to the Apple One premium amount anyway. First world problems ...

 

Here's the full announcement from Rivian if anyone is interested.

Apple Music and Rivian Introduce Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos - Newsroom - Rivian

Apple Music and Rivian Introduce Immersive Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos Experience to Rivian Drivers

rivian.com

Apple and Rivian today announced that the industry-defining automotive maker will be bringing Apple Music’s premium, immersive Spatial Audio with support for Dolby Atmos® natively to Rivian customers. Beginning today, Apple Music will also be available in all of Rivian’s electric vehicles for drivers with an Apple Music subscription. Thanks to Connect+, Rivian’s vehicle streaming and connectivity subscription, it will be available anywhere the vehicle drives.

Apple Music’s deep integration into Rivian’s software platform enables listeners to easily search and browse through its catalog of over 100 million songs and over 30,000 expertly curated playlists, enjoy access to its global live-streaming radio stations and more.

For Rivian customers seeking an even more immersive sound experience in Second Generation vehicles, they can select Rivian Premium Audio, a Rivian-designed sound system, which enables Apple Music’s Spatial Audio thanks to Dolby Atmos. The experience delivers astonishing audio that reveals more depth, clarity, and details in your favorite music.

"With the introduction of Spatial Audio, Apple Music elevated the listening experience for music fans around the world and gave artists a new way to make and think about their music,” said Oliver Schusser, Apple’s vice president of Apple Music and Beats. “We’re excited to bring this experience natively to Rivian drivers, along with all the beloved features and human-curated content that make Apple Music the best destination for music lovers.”

“We care deeply about bringing a seamless, top sound quality experience. Thanks to this significant technical collaboration with Apple’s engineers, our vehicles offer an incredible audio entertainment experience that enhances the daily adventures of Rivian customers,” said Wassym Bensaid, Rivian’s Chief Software Officer.

More than 90% of Apple Music listeners have experienced Spatial Audio, and plays for music available in Spatial Audio account for nearly one-third of all plays. The number of songs available in Spatial Audio has more than quadrupled over the last two years. Rivian owners with Apple Music subscriptions can immediately enjoy an ever-growing selection of music in Spatial Audio from some of the world’s biggest artists spanning all genres, including hip-hop, country, Latin, pop, and classical. Apple Music also offers curated Spatial Audio playlists like Driving in Spatial Audio, Hip-Hop in Spatial Audio, and many more.

Availability

• All Rivian vehicles now have access to Apple Music natively, starting today via the latest Rivian software update.
• Apple Music’s Spatial Audio is available in all First Generation Rivian vehicles and Second Generation vehicles with Rivian Premium Audio.
• To stream Apple Music in any Rivian, from anywhere, Apple Music subscribers can sign up for Connect+, available at $14.99 a month, or annually for $149.99.
• A two-month free trial of Connect+ is available starting today, or at vehicle delivery for new Rivian owners, along with a free trial of Apple Music of up to 90 days.

 

Interesting that no mention of the SiriusXM app which had been in the works. Since I may subscription for my other car I would like to be able to integrate the app version into my r1S too. Hopefully that is still coming as part of this roll out.

 

I love my Rivian but this is a load of BS. It’s also very unsurprising.

From what I’m reading, stuff that I currently have for free - ie was included with the car I purchased - such as the satellite view of the nav, and the ability to use the Spotify and TuneIn apps via Rivian’s platform…. Is now only available through yet another subscription??? On top of the subscription I already pay to those content providers ?

They can dress it up with Apple Music and gear guard monitoring and everything else… but the reality is I have had included features removed and now charged for a fee. That’s BS.

 

One good thing out of this latest software update is that you can now use your phone as a Hotspot for the Rivian while you are driving. You could always connect to a wifi when you were parked. This change allow you to connect to the streaming services without a Connect + subscription.

 

I was wondering when / how we would get charged for our mobile HotSpots, so when I think of this more in the context of WiFi with video streaming included, it is a little easier to swallow the $150/yr I suppose... But I hear you.

 

We’ll be paying a subscription for our seat warmers next…

 

Seems as if we will get more features from Connect+ than we got from OnStar with our Bolts.

Monthly charge for Connect+ is much less expensive than the charge for OnStar with our Bolts.

All things considered, I think we're getting good value for money from Rivian.

Others may opine differently....

Best to all!

 

What about navigation, traffic and charging status? is this not part of Connect+?

 

From Rivian website:

Note: all Rivian vehicles continue to come with standard connectivity features such as:

• Regular over-the-air software updates
• Live navigation
• Remote vehicle commands
• Phone as a key
• Alexa Basic (for vehicle commands)
• Tethering (connecting the vehicle to an external Wi-Fi network or phone hotspot)

 

I have also read that you can tether you cell phone and get these features without paying the extra subscription fee. But it is a little unclear on their website.

 

If you don't subscribe to Connect+, you can still use your phone’s hotspot to tether your Rivian and enable data for built-in media apps.

You can also continue to stream media from your phone to your Rivian via Bluetooth.

 

deleted

 

I have had a free Hotspot for 2+ years... One other way to think of it, is that Rivian foots the bill for the services, and if they are to be profitable, they need to pass these ongoing fees on to customers somehow. You could argue that they are "baked-in" to the sale price, but are they? Most companies would prefer to keep costs competitive and would also prefer to charge ongoing fees for pass through services. Rivian is not an ISP or telecom provider. So, I am coming around on the $150 annual fee for Hotspot, app connectivity and streaming... Just not a fan of subscribing to all different services, so will likely just keep Spotify unless I feel like I am really missing something with Apple Music?

I sort of thought this day was coming when my truck asked me to connect to the WiFi at home, which I think occurred after my last S/W update...

 

From Reddit:


With the launch of Connect+, there is a lot of confusion over what the changes mean for owners so here is a breakdown. It's very similar to Tesla's "Premium Connectivity" package but with the addition of an unlimited data hotspot.

For two years, Rivian has given this to owners for free, but for a very long time now, Rivian has said that they will start charging owners for data and that time has now come.
Connect+ is free for 60-days, then will cost either $14.99/mo or $149.99/year (two months free).
With Connect+ you get:

• Unlimited data for the Rivian for all built-in streaming apps
• Unlimited data for future video streaming and casting apps
• Unlimited vehicle hotspot (this is huge as every other manufacturer caps your hotspot data to my knowledge)
• Satellite View on the map
• Alexa Connected Commands
• Gear Guard Live View (coming s00n)

Without Connect+ you can still:

• Use your phone's hotspot as the data that your Rivian accesses for built-in media apps such as Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, Audible, and in the future Google Cast and YouTube - THIS MEANS YOU CAN STILL USE THE NATIVE APPS ON YOUR RIVIAN’S INFOTAINMENT AND NOT HAVE TO PAY RIVIAN FOR DATA
  • It looks like RivianTrackr just posted a video on how to setup Wi-Fi tethering if you don't know how.
• Stream any music or content via Bluetooth
• Receive all vehicle updates OTA
• Live navigation and routing
• Phone as a key, remote vehicle commands, and all app functions

AT&T who Rivian uses for the hotspot, charges $25/mo for 20gb of hotspot-only data, or $90/mo for 100gb, and Rivian is charging $15/mo with again NO limits.
Competition examples:

• Nearly all manufacturers (excluding Tesla, Ford, Mercedes) charge a subscription fee just to even access the app for things like remote start, remote unlock, vehicle location - and most of these apps are significantly less reliable than Rivian. If you think Rivian's is bad, go try another app. I own an Audi E-Tron and that app works under 50% of the time.
• Tesla ($10): live traffic, live view cameras, satellite maps, video/music streaming, internet browser but NO hotspot. Tesla does have way more native streaming apps built in - but Rivian has said these will come with time. Remember that Tesla has had a lot more time to build their software than Rivian.
• Audi ($15): enhanced maps, traffic, satellite images, POI search but NO data, hotspot, music or streaming apps of any kind.
• BMW ($10): enhanced maps, traffic, satellite images, third-party app access but NO hotspot
• GM ($50): data for music and video apps, hotspot access, Alexa - basically the same as Rivian but over triple the cost.

Maybe Rivian should've grandfathered in Launch Edition owners or something, but either way, Rivian's Connect+ plan is really a phenomenal deal even for the hotspot alone. If you don't want it, you can still use your phones data to access built-in apps.

 

This seems like it will be worth it for some & very much not so for others. If you've got unlimited data, good coverage, and various audio subscriptions, this doesn't add much beyond what is already built in or accessible on a phone via bluetooth. When they integrate Netflix and/or other video streaming functions to watch while charging on road trips or some other functionality that I can't get satisfactorily on a phone w bluetooth, then I'll probably bite (though a decent size internet-connected tablet/laptop w bluetooth covers video streaming). Also, it's unfortunate that 1st generation vehicles are already outdated for various features. It would be nice if upgrades were available, if not the sensor array at least in compute power for Connect+ (etc?).

 

Apple Music listener here. I'll gladly throw a monthly fee to Rivian to listen to my music playlists with Dolby Atmos. I used to have to crank my volume up to 25 just to enjoy my music, but now that I'm listening via the native Apple Music app, the quality has 1000% changed my R1T listening experience. I'm happy that most of you have had the ability to enjoy native Spotify, but for those of us using Bluetooth for the last year to stream, it's a game changer to have Apple Music built-in. I feel like I just got a new audio system installed.

 

Nice! Do you have a 2nd generation? The announcement reads (to me) like Dolby Atmos is only available on 2nd generation vehicles. I'd love to be wrong about that.

 

Anyone know if there is a SIM card hidden in the car? Swap it out with a tablet/hotspot SIM and keep it within your cell phone plan?

 

If you have an iPad with cell service, you can use that as your hotspot rather than your phone. If you mount your iPad, you can use it as a secondary screen for your favorite navigation apps. Waze, ABRP, Google Maps, etc..

 

Apple Music listener here. I'll gladly throw a monthly fee to Rivian to listen to my music playlists with Dolby Atmos. I used to have to crank my volume up to 25 just to enjoy my music, but now that I'm listening via the native Apple Music app, the quality has 1000% changed my R1T listening experience. I'm happy that most of you have had the ability to enjoy native Spotify, but for those of us using Bluetooth for the last year to stream, it's a game changer to have Apple Music built-in. I feel like I just got a new audio system installed.

Nice! Do you have a 2nd generation? The announcement reads (to me) like Dolby Atmos is only available on 2nd generation vehicles. I'd love to be wrong about that.

Yep, second gen only. Just read the release. Still sounds amazing compared to bluetooth.

Not a 2nd gen only thing, you can use the 7.1 test track from Dolby Labs to confirm it is working correctly. If not an infotainment reset should resolve this (hold both outer buttons on the steering wheel until it resets).

Quality is definitely improved, and normally I don't care about that kind of thing, but it is very noticeable (switch back and forth from Spotify to a Dolby enabled song on Apple music and you will hear for yourself). The Apple Music app for Rivian though needs a lot of work. It struggles with picking back up a previously played song when you leave the truck and come back or sometimes just browsing or searching. I remember Spotify having similar issues in the beginning too, which was fixed with software updates. I just hope that software update cadence isn't slowed down by having Gen 1 and Gen 2 vehicles on alternating months, as it appears to be what was happening before this release.

 

The Apple Music app for Rivian though needs a lot of work. It struggles with picking back up a previously played song when you leave the truck and come back or sometimes just browsing or searching. I remember Spotify having similar issues in the beginning too, which was fixed with software updates. I just hope that software update cadence isn't slowed down by having Gen 1 and Gen 2 vehicles on alternating months, as it appears to be what was happening before this release.

I noticed a few quirks with the Apple Music app too. When I get back in the truck (2022 R1T, Meridien), pressing the play button in the slide out player will not respond, neither will the left button wheel on the steering wheel. It only resumes playing if I press the play button in the playlist. After that, the slide out player and the left button wheel works until I leave the truck again. Not a huge deal but it is a bug.

 

I am an Audible subscriber and I honestly think that’s the only one that is worth trying out, unless you have a big library saved on Apple Music and don’t want the hassle of tying up your phone streaming on Bluetooth.

 

Atmos.

 

I totally understand the hot spot and getting access to new features would come with a monthly fee. But charging for Spotify access when your HD radio is so crappy is a terrible look. Should not take away basic car features that have already been provided.

 

Has anyone notice two operative words within the connect+ announcement text?

Hint: "wherever" and "everywhere".

Oh, how much I wish they could guarantee that promise.
It's the same as Rivian advertising the vehicle as an "Adventure" vehicle.

Rivian's marketing/tech teams have no clue as to where I have been within the US because the data connection is lost since its via cell towers not satellite.

I don't hold their stock or I would be extraordinary upset.
I choose my fights and am too busy to pursue this one.
Maybe a consumer protection attorney will pick it as worth pursuing and win us some cash before the company goes bankrupt.

FTC Act The Federal Trade Commission Act, section 5/
Section 43(a) of the Lanham Act

Regardless, my 2022 R1T LE is still the best vehicle I have ever owned during my 79 years.

Here is a link to the connect+ advertisement/announcement Software Spotlight: Streaming and Connectivity with Connect+ - Rivian Stories

Safe adventures

 

Total BS to not have Spotify built in. That was a selling point of the infotainment already included. I've never used Apple music. I'm assuming I will need to pay for a subscription through Apple and then pay Rivian to use on infotainment system?

 

I have an Apple subscription but I also have to pay Telus for my phone’s data plan so I can use my Apple subscription.

Its not realistic to expect free unlimited data from Rivian.

If you want to use Apple Music on your phone or on your Rivian or any other device, you need to pay for / provide data access.

If for some reason you are philosophically opposed to paying for Connect+, just tether your Rivian to your phone and use your phone’s data plan.