That's what I wonder as well, since I'm an Android fan, and having used both, prefer its UI.
He's a Motortrend editor and automotive journalist, so the kind of person who'd be professionally damaged by lying. I'm guessing they confirmed to him because he's the latest to ask and this is a new turn of events? Not sure. Was hoping someone here would be more knowledgable and have some inside info.
Getting his information wrong isn't lying and if he were wrong it doesn't damage his reputation. Since it's unofficial and anonymous, anything could happen for it not to happen, stuff happens,
Exactly. That's why I chose to share the information here.
Rivian’s perspective on this should be that Android Auto and CarPlay are just apps like Spotify is an app. Let people run those apps if they prefer them. And if the native apps are genuinely better, then people will use the better experience.
I think the play here is the Rivian subscription plan they're offering that they want everybody to sign up for. It's already said that plan at about $50/mo (maybe $75 once they start implementing it) will include full-time connectivity for the car among all its other things (some free charging, roadside, etc). They know if we have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, people will NOT sign up for the connection subscription and that is lost revenue. It's likely also why Tesla does it, it's guaranteed regular income to offset some of these connection costs that the cars need, anyway.
Eyow...didn't see that anywhere. That's $1k a year. Even Tesla only charges $100 a year. So much for saving on maintenance.
I'm pretty sure nothing official has been said about the price, but my (admittedly terrible) memory wants to say the $50/mo rate was listed somewhere in their IPO documents as the target price.
rivian.com
Looks like it is optional and has no effect on car functionality.
rivian.com
Or they could look to include AC/AA/SXM integration bundled within their monthly subscription plan.
BMW had a fee to use Apple CarPlay, so yeah, you're absolutely right. It's an option
Zero. Only thing you pay for is the $10 a month for the connectivity for streaming. You can buy things. like faster acceleration or "Full Self Driving" (triple quotes needed) but for OTA updates including Nav updates, no charge.
I fully expect Rivian to partner with others beyond Snow Peak to make more purpose-built gear for the gear tunnel and shuttle. There could be new bed accessories too, like an OEM bed cap. Not all of the post-sales revenue will be software-based.
I don’t know that I’m concerned, necessarily. My expectation is that it’ll be free for a minimum of a year, likely 2-3. I fully expect things like car hotspot and potentially other user-facing data hogs may be something we end up paying $10-40/mo for, depending on what they end up making as-a-service now or in the future.
