Rivian CEO Doubles Down on Decision to Not Offer Apple CarPlay

[Scenes From A Walk]

On the latest episode of The Verge's Decoder podcast, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe told guest host Joanna Stern why the EV maker continues to pass on Apple's CarPlay — both the standard version and the more advanced CarPlay Ultra.

Echoing his previous comments on the matter, Scaringe said Rivian is focused on offering a "seamless digital experience," where customers do not need to switch between its own software and CarPlay. Instead, he said Rivian prefers to provide an à-la-carte selection of built-in apps, such as Apple Music, Google Maps, Spotify, and YouTube.

Scaringe said he is "very confident" in Rivian's decision to skip CarPlay, especially as it plans to integrate AI into its vehicles over the next 18 months. For example, he said Rivian is planning a native AI-powered voice-to-text feature for messaging.

"We're really convicted on this," he said.

Nevertheless, Scaringe acknowledged that some customers will not purchase a Rivian given the lack of CarPlay. "We accept that," he said.

"Some of those decisions not everyone's going to agree with," he said. "That's okay."

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Article Link: Rivian CEO Doubles Down on Decision to Not Offer Apple CarPlay

I do intend to replace my Model 3 with either an R2 or R3 depending upon what's in the marketplace from Rivian. One of my major complaints about my Tesla is that the user interface, while useful, is not at all organizable or editable for my specific uses. About 75% of the stuff could remain hidden. One of the glaring faults is the way hands free text messaging is handled; it's hit and miss, and forget about group texts. I have rented multiple vehicles with it and Car Play is better, simpler, and more useful. So while I will not let it get in the way of my next vehicle choice, I hope Rivian's system is superior to Tesla's, which is not great.

 

[kevinj85]

On the latest episode of The Verge's Decoder podcast, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe told guest host Joanna Stern why the EV maker continues to pass on Apple's CarPlay — both the standard version and the more advanced CarPlay Ultra.

Echoing his previous comments on the matter, Scaringe said Rivian is focused on offering a "seamless digital experience," where customers do not need to switch between its own software and CarPlay. Instead, he said Rivian prefers to provide an à-la-carte selection of built-in apps, such as Apple Music, Google Maps, Spotify, and YouTube.

Scaringe said he is "very confident" in Rivian's decision to skip CarPlay, especially as it plans to integrate AI into its vehicles over the next 18 months. For example, he said Rivian is planning a native AI-powered voice-to-text feature for messaging.

"We're really convicted on this," he said.

Nevertheless, Scaringe acknowledged that some customers will not purchase a Rivian given the lack of CarPlay. "We accept that," he said.

"Some of those decisions not everyone's going to agree with," he said. "That's okay."

​

Article Link: Rivian CEO Doubles Down on Decision to Not Offer Apple CarPlay

Let me translate. We want complete control of your data and we want to implement AI for investors.
Not that Apple wouldn’t love data and control either. But every time I hear a car maker not choose Car Play Ultra it’s because they want complete control of the experience and your data at the expense of a better user experience (or should I say the customers experience isn’t the driving idea). Again if Apple loves anything it’s complete control too (though they aren’t selling your data), but this is why it’s not even an option.

 

[BP9906]

I understand that it’s another vendor to deal with and cost associated. Car maker technologies is always years behind all the other big tech companies so it doesn’t make sense.

I also think it’s funny that all the Teslas around my community all have iPhones strapped to their windshield because they don’t integrate with the Tesla system.

 

[Hichung]

Wireless CarPlay was important enough to me that I ripped out my head unit on my 2018 Tacoma and put in an aftermarket unit that offered it. I'll never buy another car that doesn't support it (or android auto).

If that means my car selection is limited, so be it.

 

[Tagbert]

We love Carplay and had it installed afterwards in our Mazda, having had it in previous cars.

But … I wouldn’t want it in our Tesla. I don’t see how Apple Maps can offer the same value for routing and charging the way Tesla does. Knowledge of superchargers, speeds, how busy they are, which stalls are broken … I’ll take that over Carplay, thank you very much.

I’ll take the fact that Apple Music isn’t that great in the Tesla as a consequence.

You can have CarPlay and still use Tesla maps or whatever software the OEM builds in. Also, it's not just about maps.

 

[Tagbert]

Aw man, I was really excited for the R3 but this has completely destroyed any hype I had for the vehicle.


And no CarPlay so I can't use Overcast on the car screen? Or Libro.fm? Or Plexamp? Or Finamp (if I switch my media server)? Kinda wild that my 2018 Honda has a more user-friendly software stack so I don't have to violate my state's hands-free law to change the podcast I'm listening to.

But so many here say "just use the built in maps and Spotify". What more could you want? /s

 

[OGdrknight]

I’m a fan of Rivian and would love to own a Rivian R3. However, if it doesn’t support CarPlay, I’ll have to consider purchasing another Hyundai in the next two years.

Our new Ioniq 5 XRT effortlessly transitions from its original software to CarPlay with a single touch.

Rivian appears to be unwilling to pay Apple’s licensing fees to use CarPlay. This seems unusual, considering that most new cars support both Android Auto and CarPlay.

 

[I7guy]

We love Carplay and had it installed afterwards in our Mazda, having had it in previous cars.

But … I wouldn’t want it in our Tesla. I don’t see how Apple Maps can offer the same value for routing and charging the way Tesla does. Knowledge of superchargers, speeds, how busy they are, which stalls are broken … I’ll take that over Carplay, thank you very much.

Well this I believe is a true statement given Tesla maps integration with the car. However roadtripping aside I can see using CarPlay in teslas.

I’ll take the fact that Apple Music isn’t that great in the Tesla as a consequence.

Apple Maps is okay. Not going to get the same user experience from the iOS app. But it does work okay.

 

[zenmacx]

Rivian appears to be unwilling to pay Apple’s licensing fees to use CarPlay. This seems unusual, considering that most new cars support both Android Auto and CarPlay.

It goes far beyond simply paying Apples licensing fee.

Take a look at this list Apple compiled of manufacturers that do offer CarPlay.

iOS - CarPlay - Available Models

Find out which automobile manufacturers currently offer or are planning to introduce models that support CarPlay.

www.apple.com

Notice that they only offer it on certain, but not all models of their cars. Thats for a reason due to the complexity of electronic controls that existed long before CarPlay became available to them.

Then there's the matter of what it takes to modify their telematics and the systems it controls to accommodate CarPlay.

Nothing is as simple as it appears from the consumers view point. If CarPlay is indeed that advantageous the companies that can, will work to incorporate it.

 

[Tagbert]

I’m a fan of Rivian and would love to own a Rivian R3. However, if it doesn’t support CarPlay, I’ll have to consider purchasing another Hyundai in the next two years.

Our new Ioniq 5 XRT effortlessly transitions from its original software to CarPlay with a single touch.

Rivian appears to be unwilling to pay Apple’s licensing fees to use CarPlay. This seems unusual, considering that most new cars support both Android Auto and CarPlay.

There are no fees paid by car makers to use CarPlay. CarPlay Ultra might be different but no one really wants that anyway.