From The Verge: Rivian isn’t offering phone mirroring features like Apple CarPlay in its electric vehicles, so the company is instead pushing a new software update today that adds built-in Apple Music streaming support, which might scratch customers’ connectivity itch.
Last month, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe said on Decoder that CarPlay can’t leverage other parts of the vehicle experience and takes control away from automakers. In this case, control comes in the form of a paid subscription service needed to enjoy some of the features available on Rivian’s big Android-based infotainment screen.
The new native Apple Music app, which includes support for spatial audio and Dolby Atmos, is launching after Rivian introduced its new Connect Plus data subscription in June. In an email to The Verge, Rivian product spokesperson Courtney Richardson wrote that Connect Plus is needed for Gen 2 vehicles to have “native app experiences like Apple Music and streaming connectivity no matter where the vehicle travels.”
When asked about the difference between connectivity for Gen 1 owners, who already can listen to music in apps like Spotify on the go with no additional subscription, Richardson shared the same information available on Rivian’s website. Many Rivian owners have enjoyed the included data services thanks to the Rivian Membership, which the company has said it’s phasing out.
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